The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Week 3 Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions. Six players are recognized for outstanding play during their respective games on Friday, October 16, 2020: Brandon Craddock (Jr. LB – Sandra Day O’Connor); Max Davis (Sr. RB, Highland); Josh Grant (Sr. QB/K, Bradshaw Mountain); Eric Lira (Sr. WB/DB, Mesquite); Kai Milner (Sr. QB, Higley); and Jacob Thurman (Sr. RB, Shadow Ridge).
“The Ed Doherty Award represents all that is great about high school football in Arizona,” said Selection Committee chairman, Rob Yowell. “This week, the recipients of the Nomination Medallions are honored for outstanding individual performances last Friday night, but they also represent the tenacity and discipline of the more that 12,000 high school football players in Arizona that have worked hard to prepare themselves for competition under very difficult times.”
Three of the six players were named on the 50-player Week 3 Watch List™ released on October 12, 2020. All six players will receive their Medallions at an upcoming school event this week. By earning Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions, they will attend the end of season Ed Doherty Award Luncheon on January 9, 2021 where one athlete will become the recipient of the Ed Doherty Award.
Details on their individual performances on October 16 are as follows:
Brandon Craddock - Jr LB O'Connor
In spite of a 47-13 loss to Highland HS in Week 3, Junior LB Brandon Craddock led the region with 15 tackles (5 solo), causing a fumbles and recovering a fumble. He leads the team in tackles with 42 and 5 TFL.
Max Davis - Sr RB Highland HS
Max Davis was hard to stop in the Hawks 47-13 win over O'Connor as he rushed 22 times for 302yds and 4TDs. His TD runs covered distances of 28yds, 61yds, 83yds and 2yds to keep Highland undefeated through Week 3.
Josh Grant - Sr QB/K Bradshaw Mountain
Josh Grant did everything but run the concession stand for the Bears in a Week 3 win over Lee Williams 51-28. Grant was 14/25 passing for 247yds and 2TDs, rushed 12 times for 95yds and 2TDs, kicked a 31yd FG, converted 5/6 PATs and 6 of his 7 KOs were touchbacks.
Eric Lira - Sr WR/DB Mesquite HS
Week 3 placed the defending 4A champ Wildcats against last season's 3A champ ALA-Queen Creek in a region battle. Mesquite’s senior WR, Eric Lira caught 5 passes from for 217yds and 4TDs, then helped seal the 60-42 victory with a "pick 6" late in the 4th quarter.
Kai Milner - Sr QB Higley HS
Higley senior QB, Kai Milner, led the Knights 42-21 win over Desert Ridge during Week 3. He was 27/37 for 471yds and 5TDs, then also added a receiving TD as Higley improved to 3-0 on the season.
Jacob Thurman - Sr RB Shadow Ridge HS
Week 3 took the Mustangs to 3-0 on the season. Senior RB Jacob Thurman was the driving force in the 39-30 win over Mountain Pointe. He rushed 27 times for a career-high 180yds and a touchdown in the victory.
To learn more about the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club and to purchase tickets to the Ed Doherty Award Luncheon, visit http://www.gcsgridiron.com/.
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