Sports360AZ
Courtesy: Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club announced the winners of the Ed Doherty Award Week 4 Performance Medallions this afternoon. Five (5) players were recognized for outstanding play during their games last week: Zidane Thomas (Centennial HS, RB, Sr.), Tyler Shough (Hamilton HS, QB, Sr.), Jack Plummer (Gilbert HS, QB, Sr.), Jordan Porter (Cholla HS, QB, Sr.) and Akubar Abdi (Camelback HS, RB, Sr.). 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.
“Week 4 showed us that the top players on the Watch List continue to shine, but we also had several winners came from outside that group,” stated Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club Selection Committee Co-Chair Ward Hickey. “Zidane Thomas was a unanimous selection this week, but at least a dozen players were debated by our selection committee for the other medallion awards. These five young men proved worthy and earned their official nomination for the Ed Doherty Award.” Three players named were on the 43-player Watch List (Thomas, Shough and Plummer), but Porter and Abdi are the first players not on the list to receive this recognition. Each player will receive their medallions at an upcoming school event later this week and will join other medallion winners at the Ed Doherty Award luncheon on December 9th.
Zidane Thomas, Peoria Centennial, RB, 5-10, 205, Sr.
The Boise State commit ran 28 times for 334 yards and two touchdowns, leading Centennial to a 23-20 victory over Phoenix Pinnacle. He has 781 yards, averaging 12.6 yards a carry.
Abukar Abdi, Phoenix Camelback, RB, 5-7, 165, Sr.
In a 33-27 win over Phoenix Alhambra, Abdi carried 32 times for 315 yards and four TDs. It was his third consecutive game rushing for more than 100 yards.
Tyler Shough, Chandler Hamilton, QB, 6-5, 195, Sr.
With star running back Jawhar Jordan having to leave the game with an injury, Shough went to work, passing for 293 yards and three TDs, completing 13 of 22 passes in a 59-12 6A rout of Laveen Cesar Chavez.
Jordan Porter, Tucson Cholla, QB, 5-10, 178, Sr.
In a 62-23 win over Palo Verde, Porter accounted for 8 TDs (5 pass/3 rush), 267yds passing and 202yds rushing. Through 5 games, Porter’s stats for Cholla (3-2) are staggering: 1,636yds passing 18TD/8INT; 877yds rushing 14TD, 62yds KO return.
Jack Plummer, Gilbert, QB, 6-5, 200, Sr.
The Purdue commit connected for 256yds passing and 4TDs in the Tigers’ 41-7 victory over Westwood. After 4 games this season, Plummer has 15 TD passes and no interceptions.
