NFF- Valley of the Sun Chapter Awards Recap

Every year, the National Football Foundation- Valley of the Sun Chapter recognizes Arizona’s best athletes by position, along with a "player of the year" award. Arizona is an absolute gold mine for talent, and has developed some of the nations best prospects. With all recipients being in the 2021 class, take a look at who took home their respected awards for the 2020 season:<img class="alignright wp-image-48106" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/09/AZ-Brandon-Buckner-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="153" height="230" /> <strong>Frank Kush Player of the Year:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="42590" first="Brandon" last="Buckner"], DE, Chandler (University of Oregon signee) Buckner did his best work this season as a pass rusher, accumulating 12 sacks and 22 hurries. He is very quick off the ball and does a great job utilizing his strength and speed to quickly shed OT’s to get into the backfield. He is strong at the POA and shows solid flexibility. Buckner was effective with technique and helped the stacked Chandler team win yet another state championship. <strong>Danny White QB of the Year (Co Winners):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="42581" first="Ty" last="Thompson"], Mesquite HS (University of Oregon signee), [player_tooltip player_id="42603" first="Mikey" last="Keene"], Chandler HS (University of Central Florida Signee) <em>Thompson:</em> He has won back-to-back state titles and threw for over 3,400 yards and 34 TD’s. He is your prototypical pro-style QB, and consistently made impressive tight window throws showing excellent arm strength and velocity all year. <em>Keene</em>: Keene has not lost a football game in high school as a starter. He threw for over 2,000 yards and 23 TD’s, and is an excellent all around athlete. He shows a high football IQ and makes accurate decisions and throws, and was an all out playmaker. <strong>Archie Amerson RB of the Year:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="42646" first="Jacob" last="Cisneros"], Boulder Creek HS (University of Penn signee) Cisneros was one of the most dynamic players in the state as he proved he could hurt you on the ground, through the air, and as a kick returner. He had over 2,200 all-purpose yards and 34 TD’s to help Boulder Creek reach the semi’s. <strong>J.D. Hill WR of the Year:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="42594" first="Isaiah" last="Newcombe"], Casteel HS (UCLA commit) Newcombe is a flier downfield and takes the top off a defense. He ended the year with over 850 yards and 7 TD’s, and is a definite big play threat every time he touches the ball.<img class="alignright wp-image-48105" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/09/AZ-Bram-Walden-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="123" height="185" /> <strong>Randall McDaniel OL of the Year</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="42582" first="Bram" last="Walden"], Saguaro HS (University of Oregon signee) Walden has been a monster on the Saguaro OL for a while now and is a very athletic blocker with solid flexibility and good drive. He has been a major part in the success of the explosive Saguaro offense. <strong>Curley Culp DL of the Year</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="42590" first="Brandon" last="Buckner"], Chandler HS (University of Oregon signee) Along with taking home the Frank Kush POY award, Buckner balled out and earned himself another National Football Foundation award to add to his successful high school career. <strong>Ron Pritchard LB of the Year:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="42587" first="Trey" last="Reynolds"], Queen Creek HS (University of Utah signee) Reynolds plays with a solid mean streak and shows a quick reaction to fill alleys and was an excellent tackler in the box. He led the state with 57 total tackles, with 67 being solo.<img class="alignright wp-image-24527" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/06/Generic-Featured-Image-2-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="230" height="143" /> <strong>Mike Haynes DB of the Year</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="42621" first="Ammon" last="Allen"], Highland HS (Recruitment still open) Allen played lights out in his senior season. He closes ground well and was a fly around player for Highland. He showed excellent range in coverage as he established himself as a legit ball hawk. He is a complete safety and fits in numerous schemes. <strong>Luis Sendajas Kicker of the Year</strong>: <em>Crew Peterman</em>, Chandler HS (Recruitment still open) Peterman went 6-6 FG’s, and 55-59 XP’s. He drilled a clutch 41 yard FG against Liberty in the playoffs. <strong>Earl Putman Coach of the Year</strong>: <em>Rick Garretson</em>, Chandler After taking over for former Chandler coach and current ASU RB's coach Shaun Aguano, Garretson has went 23-0 as a head coach at Chandler, winning his 2nd straight Open Division state title.