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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | DECEMBER 21, 2022 Sports & Recreation

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Pride’s Chris Arviso honored by Doherty Award nomination

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

The naming of the Ed Doherty Award recipient on a yearly basis is the culmination of every high school football season in Arizona.

Nicknamed “the Heisman” of high school football in the state, it’s awarded every year to the player that stood out among the rest. The event itself is extravagant. Fifty-nine players who have been nominated throughout the season with medallions for excellent play are invited to attend alongside families. Forty were in attendance this year.

They walk a red carpet and eat an extravagant lunch before finding out if they have been deemed the best high school football player in the state for the season. While every athlete aims to come away with the award, simply being one of the nominees is an honor, too.

That was the case for Mountain Pointe senior quarterback Chris Arviso.

“It feels good to be recognized for all the work this season,” Arviso said. “There’s so many talented people here in Arizona, so being a part of this feels good.”

Arviso’s career overall at Mountain Pointe was special.

A transfer from South Mountain his sophomore year, he came into the back half of the 2020 season and showcased his talent despite splitting time with former Mountain Pointe quarterback and wideout Amier Boyd. The job was his as a junior, but injuries kept him out at times. But even then, he helped lead the Pride to the playoffs.

As a senior something clicked for Arviso. He meshed with the offense and offensive coordinator Brian Whitacre and utilized the weapons around him at wideout and running back. He completed 180-of-292 passes for 2,600 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season while he led the Pride to the quarterfinal round of the 6A Conference playoffs.

He earned his Ed Doherty medallion in the final week of the regular season, shortly after he helped lead the team to a win over Cesar Chavez heading into the playoffs. Arviso’s time with the Pride saw some ups and downs, but he came into his own as a senior. Along with his 2,600 passing yards, Mountain Pointe’s three running backs – Jay’len Rushing, Christian Clark and Randle Parker – all had 1,000 all-purpose yards. Wideout Matty Braun nearly reached the 1,000yard receiving mark.

All of that was made possible with the help of Arviso’s leadership and play at the quarterback position.

“It was very special,” Arviso said of his time at Mountain Pointe. “It is something I’ll never forget. All the memories and special relationships I built, it’s something special.

Arviso was joined by other nominees for the award at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch Saturday, Dec. 18 for the annual Ed Doherty Award Luncheon.

Among those in attendance included Eastmark’s Austin Johnston and Mack Molander, as well as Saguaro’s Devon Dampier, Basha’s Demond Williams and many others.

Dampier, who led the Sabercats to the Open Division state championship game two weeks ago, was named the 2022 recipient of the Ed Doherty Award. He became the fourth player from Saguaro to win the award, joining Kyle Caldwell, Tim Ruben and Teddy Ruben.

The other five finalists included Williams, ALA Gilbert quarterback Adam Damante, Liberty quarterback Navi Bruzon, Higley quarterback Jamar Malone and Pinnacle tight end Duce Robinson.

“It’s a lot, it was really shocking at first,” Dampier said. “I’m in a very good place and I’m thankful for that. It’s ridiculous what has happening to me right now. It’s all happening so fast. I like to feel like I’m an underdog. I never think I’m good enough, it’s just the expectations I have for myself in my head.

“I’ll always continue to be an underdog until I feel like I’m at my peak.”

The Ed Doherty Award, while special for the winner, also recognizes the outstanding play of a select players from most conferences across the state.

While every player aims to join the likes of Hamilton alum Nicco Marchiol, Mesquite alum Ty Thompson, Perry alum Brock Purdy, Salpointe Catholic alum Bijan Robinson and Desert Vista alums Zach Miller and Bobby Wade, simply being nominated and invited to the luncheon is an honor and experience they will never forget.

And for Arviso, specifically, it adds to the legacy he established at Mountain Pointe building the program back up to a playoff contender.

“I feel like I did think about that,” Arviso said, referring to his goals to rebuild the Pride program when he transferred as a sophomore. “I think this whole team wanted to do that. But to think about it and for it to actually happen are totally different. It’s crazy that we as a team, everybody, rebuilt that program into something special.” 

Mountain Pointe senior quarterback was one of the 59 players nominated this season for the 2022 Ed Doherty Award, which is given to the top player in Arizona high school football on a yearly basis. The award is nicknamed “the Heisman” of Arizona high school foot-

ball. (Dave Minton/AFN Staff)

Arviso was joined by several other nominations at the Ed Doherty Award Luncheon on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. Saguaro senior quarterback Devon Dampier was the recipient of this year’s Ed Doherty Award. (Dave Minton/AFN Staff)

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Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timeslocalmedia.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.