The Republic's Top 10 Arizona high school football players of Week 9; vote in our poll
Here are The Arizona Republic's Top 10 players during Week 9 of the high school football season, along with honorable mentions. Vote for top overall performer in our poll below.
Week 9 Top 10 Players
1. Luke Haugo, Gilbert Higley, QB, Jr.
In a 60-42 win at Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, he threw six TD passes, completing 23 of 35 passes for 269 yards. It was his second game of the season after sitting out the first five games due to his transfer move last spring from Phoenix North.
2. Zech Owens, Glendale, QB, Sr.
Owens was 16 of 21, 313 yards, 6 TDs passing, ran twice for 59 yards, and a TD in a 61-12 win over Carl Hayden.
3. Gabe Smith, Walden Grove, QB, Sr.
In a 42-7 rout of Tucson Pueblo, he was 12 of 17 for 297 yards and five TDs in the first half. He became the school's all-time passing leader with 5,075 yards.
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4. Alex Acuna, San Pasqual, Athlete, Fr.
In a 36-14 2A loss to NFL Yet, the freshman ran 14 times for 143 yards, had three interceptions with 103 yards in returns, had a sack and recorded four tackles.
5. Daxen Hall, Higley, RB, Sr.
In the win over Notre Dame Prep, he ran 18 times for 239 yards and three TDs.
6. Josh Orozco, Desert Heights, WR, LB, Jr.
In a 67-34 1A win over Maryvale Prep, he had 12 catches for 295 yards and four TDs, had 11 tackles, and returned two interceptions for scores.
7. Nathan Spivey, Salpointe, DB, Jr.
In the loss to Liberty, he intercepted three Navi Bruzon passes in the first half.
8. Kaden Haeckel, Liberty, OT, Sr.
Going up against the state's top 2024 prospect and a 5-star recruit in Elijah Rushing, he helped the Lions avoid any sacks, as Navi Bruzon threw four first-half TD passes en route to a 35-0 lead.
9. Josh Bell, Peoria, RB, So.
Bell ran 26 times for 215 yards and three TDs in a 53-19 rout of Phoenix Greenway.
10. Rocky Stallworth, Yuma Catholic, LB, Jr.
He had 14 tackles and a caused fumble in a 45-17 rout of Buckeye.
Honorable mention
Christian Clark, Mountain Pointe, RB, Sr.
In a win over Corona del Sol, he ran for 183 yards and two TDs.
Jay Martin, Gilbert Highland, RB, Jr.
He ran 19 times for 123 yards and three TDs in a 43-21 win over Gilbert Williams Field.
Rylan Bass, Arizona Lutheran, RB, Sr.
He ran 15 times for 114 yards and three TDs, as the Coyotes had 317 rushing yards in a win over Tonopah Valley.
Braylon Gardner, Liberty, WR, Jr.
He had another 100-yard receiving game with two more touchdowns in a 49-0 rout of previously unbeaten Tucson Salpointe Catholic. He also was named homecoming king.
Gary Chandler, Moon Valley, DE, Jr.
He intercepted a pass, returned it for a TD and blocked a field goal that resulted in Jerod Reynold's 70-yard TD in a 28-14 win over Youngker.
Christian Carter, Thatcher, RB, Sr.
In a 35-14 win over rival Safford, he ran 27 times for 298 yards and had five TDs.
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Bridger French, Flagstaff Coconino, RB, Sr.
In a rout of Apache Junction, he ran for 148 yards and two TDs on just 10 carries. He also caught a 46-yard scoring pass.
Rylon Dillard-Allen, Mountain Pointe, DB, Jr.
His 25-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Pride a 24-13 lead in the second half, leading a dominant second-half defensive effort in a 38-13 win.
Jaylyn Colter, LB, So.
He had nine solo tackles, four assisted, two tackles for losses, a sack, two QB hurries and two pass deflections agaisnt Corona del Sol.
Charlie McGinnis, Brophy Prep, QB, Sr.
He was 20 of 33 for a career-high 273 yards and two TDs as Brophy amassed 415 yards in a win over Desert Vista.
Bastian Vanden Bosch, Brophy Prep, LB, So.
He had five solo tackles, incuding one for a loss, and assisted on a sack.
Shamar Berryhill, Tucson Sabino, WR, Jr.
In a 42-21 win over American Leadership Gilbert North, he caught three passes for 93 yards and a TD.
Brandon Phelps, American Leadership Gilbert North, WR, Sr.
He broke former Desert Mountain star Kade Warner's career receptions record with seven catches for 138 yards and two TDs in a 49-21 win over Cactus Shadows. That gives him 242 career catches, a record that goes with two others he achieved last week for most TD catches and most receiving yards.
Ayden Williams, ALA Ironwood, RB, Jr.
In a 41-14 win over Tempe, he ran 35 times for 236 yards and scored four TDs.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Republic's Top 10 Arizona high school football players of Week 9
