The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Week 11 Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions. Ten players are recognized for outstanding play during their respective games on Friday, November 1, 2019: Tosh Baker (Sr. OL, Pinnacle HS); Zion Burns (Jr. RB, Poston Butte HS); Dane Christensen (Jr. RB, Casteel HS); Jacobe Covington (Sr. DB, Saguaro HS); Paxton Earl (Sr. LB/RB, Arcadia HS); Tommy Ellis (Sr. LB, Mountain Ridge HS); Elijah Ervin (Sr. WR, Desert Vista HS); Earnest Greenwood (Sr. RB, Barry Goldwater HS); Noah Nelson (Sr. OL, Williams Field HS); and Quintin Sommerville (Jr. DE, Saguaro HS).
Covington, Earl, Ellis, and Sommerville were named on the 56-player Week 3 Watch Listâ„¢ released on September 10, 2019. All eight players will receive their Medallions at an upcoming school event this week. By earning these Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions, they will attend the end of season Ed Doherty Award Luncheon on December 14, 2019 where one athlete will become the recipient of the Ed Doherty Award.
Details on their individual performances on November 1st are as follows:
Tosh Baker – Sr. OL – Pinnacle HS
The Senior High School All-American, Tosh Baker, anchors Pinnacle's O-line and led the protection in Week 11 for his Frosh QB's first start in a 52-0 win over Boulder Creek, en route to an Open Division playoff berth.
Zion Burns – Jr. RB – Poston Butte HS
In a season ending 48-42 win for the Broncos over Seton Catholic, Junior Running Back Zion Burns rushed 25 times for 235yds and 6 TDS. His season totals of 1,542yds and 17TDs landed him at 4th on the 4A rushing list.
Dane Christensen – Jr. QB – Casteel HS
In the Colts 42-17 win over Campo Verde, Junior Quarterback, Dane Christensen was 27/33 passing for 461yds and 4TDs. On the season, Christensen stands 2nd on the 5A passing list with 2,460yds and 21TDs.
Jacobe Covington – Sr. DB – Saguaro HS
Jacobe Covington grounded the Sabercats defense in the Week 11 win over Mesquite 53-0. On the season, Covington posted 22 tackles, 4TFL, 3sacls, 7 pass defenses, 2 FF and blocked a punt and FG.
Paxton Earl – Sr. LB/RB – Arcadia HS
In the 8 games played of his season, the Titans' Senior Captain started on both sides of the ball at 6 different positions demonstrating great versitility. On offense, he accounted for touchdowns passing (1), rushing (5) and receiving (1), while adding two 2pt conversions to his nearly 500yds of total offense. On defense, he contributed 26 tackles, 2 TFL, and an interception all while maintaining a 4.6 GPA
Tommy Ellis - Sr. LB – Mountain Ridge HS
Tommy Ellis led the turnaround at Mountain Ridge this season. Through Week 11, Ellis leads 6A with 134 tackles. Even in the 34-27 loss to O'Connor, he tallied 14 tackles (10 solo) and 2 TFL, and has the Mountain Lions playing in the postseason.
Elijah Ervin – Sr. WR – Desert Vista HS
Ervin was a key factor in the Thunder's 43-29 win over Queen Creek with 10 catches for 164yds and 2TDs. Through Week 11, Erwin has logged season totals of 44 catches for 1,029yds and 13TDs.
Earnest Greenwood - Sr. RB – Barry Goldwater HS
Greenwood has been a force for the Bulldogs all season and finished with an impressive 29 rushes for 325yds and 3TDs in the 57-28 win over Agua Fria. He closes the season with 1,761yds and 23TDs.
Noah Nelson – Sr. OL – Williams Field HS
One of the state's top linemen didn't let an 0-2 start and some adversity mid-season derail the Blackhawks run to the playoffs. Noah Nelson led Williams Field and his fellow teammates finished the regular season on an 8-game win streak, and knocked off rival Higley 42-38 to claim the top seed in the 5A playoffs.
Quintin Sommerville – Jr. DE – Saguaro HS
Sommerville is the force on the Sabercats defensive line erases the opponents' run game and pressures every QB in the pocket. In the 53-0 win over Mesquite, he had 4 tackles, 2 TFL and a sack. His season total through Week 11 are 54 tackles, 23 TFL and 7.5 sacks.
To learn more about the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club and previous Ed Doherty Award winners, visit http://www.gcsgridiron.com/.
About Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is the steward of the Ed Doherty Award and is the most meaningful advocate of high school football in the State of Arizona. The mission of the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is to represent Arizona amateur athletics by bringing national attention to the extraordinary qualities of our young people and serve in the pursuit of athletic achievement, academic advancement and greater social affinity.
About the Ed Doherty Award
For 32 years, the Ed Doherty Award has been the State of Arizona’s highest individual high school football honor and is awarded annually to the state’s most outstanding high school football player by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club. The Ed Doherty Award recognizes the player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The winner of the award epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. In addition to on-field performance, the Ed Doherty Award recognizes the well-rounded accomplishments of community involvement, school pride, and academics.
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