Hamilton quarterback Nicco Marchiol was named the 2021 Ed Doherty Award winner at a ceremony hosted by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) Saturday afternoon held in Scottsdale. The West Virginia commit was also named the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for 2,690 yards with 37 TDs to help lead the Huskies to a top seed in the Open Division.

Marchiol was one of 59 athletes nominated for the top award given to a high school player in the state of Arizona by the Selection Committee and that list was narrowed down to five finalists including Marchiol. The remaining finalists included:

 

Angel Flores – Sr. QB – Casa Grande

Flores led the Cougars to a 14-0 season and a 4A state championship. Flores threw for 2,671 yards with 26 TDs and he also rushed for 1,292 yards rushing with 19 TDs. He ended his career with 7,957 yards passing (62 TDs) and 3,583 yards rushing (60 TDs). Flores commited to play for Northern Arizona University.

 

Javen Jacobs – Sr. ATH – Saguaro

Jacobs helped lead Saguaro to the Open Division championship where he scored 2 TDs in a 20-15 win over the five-time defending champion Chandler. He is ranked No. 13 in the nation by MaxPreps. He collected 1,722 all-purpose yards and 14 TDs, scoring on receptions, runs and kick returns. He remains undecided on his college choice.

 

Brayton Silbor – Sr. QB – Chaparral

Silbor made his second appearance in the 6A title game and he led the 6A Conference in passing yards (4,159 yards) and TD passes (43). The two-time Desert Valley Region Player of the Year and the 2020 6A champion is the top pro-style quarterback in Arizona and he leaves Chaparral as its all-time passing leader with 7,636 yards. He remains undecided on his college choice.

 

Richard Stallworth – Jr. QB – Yuma Catholic

 Stallworth led the Shamrocks (12-2) back to a second straight 3A title game this season. His 4,863 yards was the most for Arizona high school quarterbacks in all classifications and fourth in the nation. Stallworth’s 67 TDs also led the state. As a junior, his current total passing 8,666 yards make him a real threat to surpass the state’s all-time mark of 11.083 set by Pinnacle QB Spencer Rattler in 2019.

 

2021 IMPACT AWARD

Davian Miranda Carrasco, Salpointe

For seven years, Davian has donated a great deal of his free time preparing, serving and volunteering for the Steve Daru Boys and Girls Club Thanksgiving Dinner Event. In addition, during Salpointe’s bye week this season, Davian worked with coach Eric Rogers to round up all Salpointe football players so they could go to three different Boys and Girls Club houses to donate their time by interacting with the children in any area needed.

Davian has volunteered with Casa Maria to feed and clothe the homeless; with Angel Martinez Memorial to help families in need; and with Westside Missionary Baptist Church assisting with special events and fundraisers for summer youth camp.

“Davian has mentored many of our younger youth and under privileged children from our neighborhoods,” said a pastor at Westside Missionary Baptist Church. “He continues to play an important role in our church and youth group and is a valued member of our church family.”

With a love for collection sneakers, Davian was inspired as a freshman to start his own small re-sale business called ‘Prolific Plugs.’ He launched the business on his social media platforms a few years ago and has proven himself as a dedicated entrepreneur that donates a percentage of sales back to his community. He has used his profits and his social media platform to rally up support for families in need. Last Christmas, he underwrote the holiday wish lists for two families, including clothing, shoes and toys for all seven kids and grocery gift cards for the parents.

This year, Davian launched a “Back to School Challenge” in which he and his teammates sponsor students in need. They go shopping for school supplies, backpacks, clothes and shoes. He even stopped with one boy to get him a haircut for the first day of school.

During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, Davian partnered with GCSGC and Teen Lifeline to produce and distribute messages of help and hope via his personal social media platforms.

To top it off, Davian has a 4.1 GPA and is considered a captain on the Defense for the Lancers. He intends to pursue a degree in business management.

“I'm a proud parent. Davian doesn’t help his community for the recognition - those who truly know Davian know that he has the biggest heart ever and truly loves helping others. It really is his passion,” said Davian’s mother, Andi Carrasco in a release. “We believe that giving back will always be a significant part of his life. We truly feel that he was brought into this world to make a positive impact and positive change in the world one person at a time.”

 

CONTRIBUTOR OF THE GAME

AIA president David Hines presented the 2021 Contributor of the Game recognition to Don Kile, president of the GCSGC, for his visionary outlook on education and for bringing back the Ed Doherty Award.