Palo Verde football star Adam Hall.
Adam Hall added another trophy to his growing collection Friday when he received the Ed Doherty Award as the state’s outstanding high school football player in 2008.
The Palo Verde High senior receiver/running back/safety/kick returner, who signed Wednesday with the University of Arizona, was among five finalists at a banquet at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas.
“That’s a great honor for him,” Palo Verde coach Todd Mayfield said. “He’s had a lot of them. Now the high school stuff is over. It’s time to get ready for college.”
Hall, 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, scored 38 touchdowns, catching the ball, running the ball, returning kicks, intercepting passes and recovering fumbles.
“A Tucson writer said that me and a rival player (Santa Rita receiver and ASU-bound J.J. Holliday) would combine for 40 touchdowns, but I wanted that for myself,” Hall said.
But his greatest feeling on the field, he said, was hitting.
“I love to hit,” he said, which is the primary reason he will most likely play at safety next fall for UA, with a chance to play in certain offensive packages.
The 22nd annual award was presented by the Active 20-30 Clubs. Other finalists for the Doherty Award were Scottsdale Saguaro running back/defensive back Beau Burton (signed with Utah), Peoria Centennial tailback/safety John Hughes (Southern Illinois), Peoria tailback Jamal Miles (Arizona State) and Scottsdale Chaparral defensive end Craig Roh (Michigan).
For more on high school sports, check out the Grammer School sports blog.