The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) announced the recipients of the Week 7 Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions. Six players are recognized for outstanding play during their respective games from last Friday: Brandon Barrios (Sr. RB/LB, Ironwood Ridge); Zach Bennett (Jr. RB, Coconino); Cade Bennett (Sr. OL/DL, Notre Dame Prep); Dae Dae Hunter (Sr. RB, Chandler); Andrew Milek (Sr. OL, Brophy Prep) and Bijan Robinson (Sr. RB, Salpointe Catholic).

“Week 7 showed that the football talent in Arizona is extremely deep and the performances delivered by these athletes during region play showed us they were prime time players,” said Rob Yowell, Selection Committee Chair in a release. “This is the time of year where the cream rises to the top. These six young men showed why football in Arizona is on the rise and deserve their official nominations for the Ed Doherty Award.”

Cade Bennett, Hunter, Milek and Robinson were named on the 56-player Week 3 Watch List™ released on September 10, 2019. Robinson was the recipient of the 2018 Ed Doherty Award. All six 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 October 4 are as follows:

 

Bijan Robinson – Sr. RB – Salpointe Catholic

During the Week 7 win over Saguaro, the 2018 Ed Doherty Award winner became the state's all-time rusher for 4A-5A-6A now standing at 5,924 rushing yards in his high school career with half the season remaining. Robinson posted 130 yards and 4 rushing TDs in the Salpointe's game with Saguaro also adding a TD reception and 100+ yds in KO returns.

 

Brandon Barrios – Sr. RB/LB – Ironwood Ridge

In Week 7, the Ironwood Ridge beat Nogales 35-9 as Brandon Barrios broke the school's single game rushing record with 313 yards on 32 carries. He scored 3 TDs and added another 55 return yards to his stat line.

 

Zach Bennett – Jr. RB – Coconino

In Week 7, the junior RB rushed for 174 yards and 3 TDs to maintain Coconino's 6-0 record in the 34-27 come from behind win over Prescott. Bennett has 998 yards rushing and 17 TDs on board half way through the season.

 

Cade Bennett – Sr. OL/DL – Notre Dame Prep

Cade Bennett led the offensive line for the Notre Dame Saints to a 30-7 win over McClintock in Week 7 and helped the defensive line hold the Chargers to negative 44 yards rushing.

 

Dae Dae Hunter – Sr. RB – Chandler

Dae Dae Hunter logged 263 yards on 13 carries and 4 TDs for the Wolves in the Week 7 win over Perry 84-49.

 

Andrew Milek – Sr. OL – Brophy Prep

Andrew Milek anchored the offensive line for Brophy while the offence logged 333 yards in the Broncos 27-14 upset win over Hamilton during Week 7.