Courtesy: The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club:
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club announced the winners of the Ed Doherty Award Week 3 Performance Medallions this afternoon. Four (4) players were recognized for outstanding play during their games last Friday: Bijan Robinson (So. RB, Salpointe Catholic), Jake Smith (Jr. ATH, Notre Dame Prep), Jawhar Jordan (Sr. RB, Chandler Hamilton) and Elijah Carey (Sr. RB/LB, Canyon del Oro). By earning these medallions, all four players are added to the end of season awards luncheon on December 9th and are officially eligible for the Ed Doherty Award.
“As expected, selection of our medallion winners for Week 3 was not an easy process with so many outstanding performances this past weekend,” stated Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club President Don Kile. “Our selection committee identified over 20 exceptional efforts, including several players not on our initial Watch List. These four young men rose to the top and earned their official nomination for the Ed Doherty Award.” All four players were named on the 43-player Watch List released last week and will receive their medallions at an upcoming school event later this week. “Each week, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is looking at Arizona high school football players at every level to be at their best,” added Kile. “Our selection committee members have planned game day visits games every week, at every level, to observe and evaluate the extraordinary explosion of high school football talent throughout the state.”
Bijan Robinson, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, RB, 6-0, 190, So.: In a 27-0 win over 6A Tucson, Robinson ran 19 times for 229 yards and two TDs for the 4A Lancers.
Jake Smith, Scottsdale Notre Dame, RB, 6-1, 185, Jr.: In a 54-28 4A win over Phoenix St. Mary’s, Smith had more than 300 all-purpose yards, including 277 receiving on six catches, four of which were touchdowns.
Jawhar Jordan, Chandler Hamilton, RB, 5-11, 165, Sr.: Carried the ball 22 times for 256 yards and three TDs in a 52-28 6A win over Mesa Desert Ridge.
Eli Carey, Oro Valley Canyon del Oro, RB/LB, 5-11, 199, Sr.: In a 24-21 loss to rival Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge, he ran 32 times for 229 yards and a TD, and had 12 tackles and a caused fumble.