The Bijan Robinson File continues to grow in length after the Salpointe standout earned his second straight Ed Doherty Award Saturday afternoon in Scottsdale. Sponsored by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club, Robinson became the 37th player to earn the award last year and he is only standout in the history of the award given to the top high school football player in Arizona to win it twice.

Robinson rushed for 2,235 yards this past year to end with an incredible 17.74 yards per carry. He also scored on 42 touchdowns and he left his mark on Arizona history in both categories.

His 7,036 career rushing yards is tops for “Big School” from 4A to 6A by 1,158 yards. His 114 career TDs is the new pinnacle and his 103 rushing TDs set a new standard that might never be broken.

In addition, Robinson became the third player in Arizona history to finish with more than 7,000 career rushing yards and he is the only player to rush for 2,000 yards in three different seasons.

Robinson helped lead the Lancers to the semifinal round of the newly developed “Open Division” and he is committed to play for Texas.

(L-R: Will Shaffer, Brock Locnikar & Bijan Robinson)

The finalists for the 2019 award included Jason Harris of Higley, Brock Locnikar of Notre Dame, Chubba Purdy of Perry and Will Shaffer of Saguaro.

(Mike Harvey, Peak Image Photo)

 

NOMINEES

Dalton Card, Casteel

Isaiah Eastman, Higley

Mikey Keene, Chandler

PJ London, Blue Ridge

Will Plummer, Gilbert

Kadin Beler, Arcadia

Tommy Christakos, Chaparral

Rand Jensen, ALA - Queen Creek

Kelee Ringo, Saguaro

Ty Thompson, Mesquite

Daniel Wood, Highland

Caden Calloway, Campo Verde

Jacob Cisneros, Boulder Creek

Man Man Freeman, Phoenix Christian

Niko Haen, Sunnyslope

Chubba Purdy, Perry

Tre Smith, Red Mountain

Brandon Barrios, Ironwood Ridge

Zach Bennett, Coconino

Cade Bennett, Notre Dame

Dae Dae Hunter, Chandler

Andrew Milek, Brophy Prep

Bijan Robinson, Salpointe

Brandon Buckner, Chandler

Deavon Crawford, Cesar Chavez

Eric Haney, Centennial

Brock Locnikar, Notre Dame

Jake Martinelli, Horizon.

Jack Miller, Chaparral

Ryan Powell, Miami

AJ Skaggs, Sabino

Kevin Daniels, Glendale

Jason Harris, Higley

Christian Johnson, Greenway

JD Johnson, Pinnacle

Kai Millner, Higley

Bryce Tate, McClintock

Jaydin Young, Centennial

Jalen Early, Millennium

Matthew McClelland, Arete Prep

Steven Ortiz, Desert Ridge

Lathan Ransom, Salpointe

Gage Reese, Yuma Catholic

Brenden Rice, Hamilton

Will Shaffer, Saguaro

Chris Weaver, Odyssey Institute

Tosh Baker, Pinnacle

Zion Burns, Poston Butte

Dane Christensen, Casteel

Jacobe Covington, Saguaro

Paxton Earl, Arcadia

Tommy Ellis, Mountain Ridge

Elijah Ervin, Desert Vista

Earnest Greenwood, Goldwater

Noah Nelson, Williams Field

Quintin Sommerville, Saguaro

 

In addition, Ed Doherty and Paul Moro were inducted into the Arizona Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Doherty was the only person to be the head coach at both ASU and Arizona and he coached St. Mary’s to two state championships and he led Salpointe to the 1981 title game.

Moro passed away this past January and he led Blue Ridge to 13 state titles. His 336 wins are the most ever from Arizona.

Bob Sietsema was inducted into the Arizona Football Officials Hall of Fame by AIA Executive Director David Hines.

TUSD Athletic Director Herman House earned “Contributor of the Game” distinction after a lengthy career that include all facets of athletics from playing, coaching, officiating, administering and he was a member of the AIA Executive Board.