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Vanden Bosch Named a Ed Doherty Medallion Winner

9/18/2025

ARIZONA SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION ANNOUNCES

WEEK 4 NOMINEES FOR 2025 ED DOHERTY AWARD

American Leadership Academy-West Foothills, Brophy College Preparatory, Chandler,

Dobson, Ironwood, Marana, Prescott, and Salpointe Catholic High Schools Home to

Medallion Recipients, First Candidates for Arizona’s Top Prep Football Player

PHOENIX (September 17, 2025) -- The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), have announced the recipients of the 2025 Week 4 Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions, recognizing outstanding performances from Week 3 action.

The first honorees of the season include Matthew Avelar (Jr. QB, Salpointe Catholic); Jacob Chamberlain (Sr. RB, Prescott); Matthew Lee (Sr. LB, American Leadership Academy-West Foothills); Will Mencl* (Jr. QB, Chandler); Colten Meyer (Sr. QB, Marana); Micah Newcombe (Jr. LB/RB, Dobson); Khavontae Paul* (Sr. QB, Ironwood); and Case Vanden Bosch* (Sr. QB, Brophy College Preparatory).

“The level of play we saw in Week 1 was exceptional,” said Mark Earle, co-chair of the Ed Doherty Award Selection Committee. “These talented athletes came out ready, made big-time plays, and showed why Arizona high school football continues to rise. Several returning standouts picked up right where they left off, with some new names breaking through in a big way. We’re proud to acknowledge their early impact.”

Added Nikki Balich, executive director of the ASEC and executive director of the Ed Doherty Award: “Arizona continues to be a hotbed of high school football excellence, with a greater number of talented athletes providing exceptional performances every week and year. We look forward to an exciting season ahead, as we recognize the best of the best in the Grand Canyon State.”

Each nominee will be presented his medallion at his respective school this week and is now in the running for the 2025 Ed Doherty Award, annually recognizing Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player. This year’s recipient will be announced at a special luncheon for the Top 10 nominees on Saturday, December 13. For more information on the award, please visit www.azsportsent.com, or call 480.517.9700.

Outstanding performances from this week’s nominees include:

Matthew Avelar -- Jr. QB, Salpointe Catholic High School

Avelar completed 24-of-34 passes for 321 yards and 4 touchdowns, rallying from a 17-0 deficit to defeat Saguaro, 34-31. Avelar also added 24 yards on 4 rushes.

Jacob Chamberlain -- Sr. RB, Prescott High School

Chamberlain rushed for 246 yards on 31 carries with 3 touchdowns in a 50-36 win over Northwest Christian.

Matthew Lee -- Sr. LB, American Leadership Academy-West Foothills

Lee had 2 interceptions, 1 sack and 8 total tackles (4 solo) in a 21-14 win over Mica Mountain.

Will Mencl -- Jr. QB, Chandler High School

Mencl was 32-of-35 in passing for 538 yards and 5 touchdowns; adding another 24 yards on 5 carries with 2 touchdowns; in a 49-29 defeat of American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek.

Colten Meyer -- Sr. QB, Marana High School

In a 47-14 win over Yuma Catholic, Meyer completed 32-of-40 passes for 411 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Micah Newcombe -- Jr. LB/RB, Dobson High School

Newcombe picked up 160 yards on 22 carries with 4 touchdowns while recording 11 total tackles (5 solo) in a 49-21 victory over Browne.

Khavontae Paul -- Sr. QB, Ironwood High School

Paul was 8-of-11 in passing for 119 yards and 1 touchdown; adding another 339 yards rushing with 4 touchdowns on 35 carries in a 1-point loss (41-40) to Verrado.

Case Vanden Bosch – Sr. QB, Brophy College Preparatory

Vanden Bosch was 24-of-33 in passing for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns; picking up another 157 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 carries; in a 45-27 win over Perry.

About the Ed Doherty Award

The Ed Doherty Award serves as the State of Arizona’s highest individual high school football honor, annually recognizing the most outstanding player on and off the field. Recipients are selected for demonstrating remarkable ability combined with diligence, perseverance, hard work, and integrity in their pursuit of excellence, while also celebrating a commitment to academics, community, and school pride.

About the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club

The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is Arizona's leading advocate for high school football, dedicated to recognizing the state's top student-athletes. The club presents the prestigious Ed Doherty Award to the most outstanding prep football player at the end of each season, and in 2024 introduced the Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award, now given annually to the state’s top girls’ flag football player. Through these initiatives, the club celebrates individual athletic, academic, and leadership achievements, promoting Arizona’s rich football tradition on a national stage.

About the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission

The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) is a non-profit organization created in 1988. The Commission collaborates with hundreds of partners to help fulfill the mission of bringing national and international sporting events to the state; assisting in the promotion of existing events and Arizona sports teams; providing volunteer recruitment and organization for large-scale sporting events; and developing youth sports programs. In 2009, it assumed oversight of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2012, the Grand Canyon State Games and the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games. The ASEC was also the founding organization and owner of the 2015 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. Earlier this year, the Commission was named co-owner and strategic partner for Section 7, one of the most prestigious boys’ and girls’ high school basketball recruiting events in the country. For more information on the ASEC, please call 480.517.9700 or visit www.azsportsent.com.