PHOENIX — The 2023 high school football season has officially come to a close here in Arizona and that means it is time to bring a close to the 34th season of Friday Night Fever, Arizona's #1 and longest-running high school football show, by naming the All-Fever Team!
Our All-Fever team consists of 29 of the best high school football players across Arizona.
It has 17 players from 6A, nine from 5A, two from 4A and one from 2A. 11 of the players played in state championship games this season and three of them are repeat members of the All-Fever team. All in all, 22 schools had players selected for the team.
Now, let's reveal who made the 2023 All-Fever Team (all statistics according to MaxPreps).
QUARTERBACK
- Demond Williams Jr., Basha
- Coming off of an Open Division championship, Williams' fourth year as the starting quarterback for Basha was his best. In 12 games this season, Williams completed 76.8% of his passes (209/272) for 3,250 yards and 34 touchdowns. He only threw three interceptions the entire season. Williams also carried the ball 151 times for 1,136 yards and 20 touchdowns. A true dual threat, the future Arizona Wildcat is ranked by 247Sports as the fifth-best player and top quarterback in the Class of 2024 in Arizona. Williams was also named the Friday Night Fever Offensive Player of the Year and the 6A Premier Region Player of the Year.
RUNNING BACKS
- Dylan Lee, Williams Field
- Lee, an Iowa State commit, helped lead the Williams Field Black Hawks to the 6A quarterfinals this year. In 12 games, he had 227 carries for 2,012 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also had 26 catches for 240 yards and a touchdown. He was named the 6A East Valley Region Offensive Player of the Year. Lee is the #18 overall player and #3 running back in the Class of 2024 in Arizona, according to 247Sports.
- Jordan Blake, Skyline
- Despite Skyline not making the playoffs, Blake still showed that he was one of the top running backs in Arizona. In 10 games this year, Blake had 260 carries for 1,962 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also had 13 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Blake was named to the All-5A San Tan Region 1st team and the 5A All-Conference 1st team.
ALL-PURPOSE BACKS
- Adam Mohammed, Apollo
- Mohammed, a three-time All-Fever team member, capped his high school career by helping lead Apollo to the 5A semifinals. In 13 games this year, Mohammed had 189 carries for 2,147 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also had 10 catches for 308 yards and four touchdowns. Mohammed was named to the All-5A Northwest Region 1st Team as a kick returner and running back and was named the 5A Northwest Valley Region Player of the Year. He was also named the 5A Conference Player of the Year. Mohammed will play college football at the University of Arizona in the fall and is the #25 overall player and #5 running back in the Class of 2024 in Arizona, according to 247Sports.
- Daxen Hall, Higley
- Hall had a great season as he helped lead the Knights to their second straight 5A state championship. In 14 games, Hall ran the ball 260 times for 2,223 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also had 50 catches for 640 yards and six touchdowns. He was named to the All-5A Northeast Valley Region 1st team, was the 5A Northeast Valley Region Player of the Year and the 5A Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
WIDE RECEIVERS
- Brandon Phelps, ALA-Gilbert North
- Phelps' career in Arizona will forever be in the record books after he broke records set by Saguaro's Christian Kirk and Desert Mountain's Kade Warner when they were in high school. Phelps is now the state record holder for career touchdowns (61) and receiving yards (4,971), which were both records held by Kirk, who went on to play at Texas A&M and then for the Arizona Cardinals. Kirk is currently with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Phelps also broke the record for career receptions (282), a record that was held by Warner, who played college football at Nebraska and Kansas State and is currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This season, in 12 games, Phelps had 84 catches for 1,669 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named to the 5A All-Conference 1st team and the All-5A Northeast Valley Region 1st team. He was also named the 5A Northeast Valley Region Offensive Player of the Year. Phelps will play college football at the University of Arizona. He is the #23 overall player and #2 wide receiver in the Class of 2024 in Arizona, according to 247Sports.
- Cooper Perry, Notre Dame Prep
- Perry, who is a junior, may be the player to watch in Arizona next fall. He is a four-star recruit and #1 player in the Class of 2025 in Arizona with 19 total offers, according to 247Sports. That includes offers from Arizona, ASU, Colorado State, Michigan State, Oregon and Notre Dame. In 11 games this season for the Saints, Perry had 72 catches for 1,190 yards, and 18 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 20 times for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Perry was named to the 5A All-Conference 1st Team and the All-5A Northeast Valley Region 1st team.
- Braylon Gardner, Liberty
- Gardner, who played both wide receiver and tight end for Liberty this season, was one of the Open Division champions' top pass catchers. In 11 games this season, Gardner had 55 catches for 1,164 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named to the All-6A Northeast Valley Region 1st team.
TIGHT END
- Ryan Wolfer, Liberty
- Wolfer split time between tight end and offensive tackle for the Lions this season and was named to the All-6A Northeast Valley 1st team as an offensive utility/flex player. In 12 games this season, Wolfer had 34 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns for the Open Division champion Lions. He is being recruited as an offensive lineman and is committed to San Diego State. Wolfer is the #43 overall player and #3 offensive tackle in the Class of 2024 in Arizona, according to 247Sports.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
- Carter Lavursky, Horizon
- Lavursky, who is headed to Kansas, is the top offensive tackle in the Class of 2024 in Arizona and is the #15 overall player in the state, according to 247Sports. He was named to the 5A All-Conference 1st team and the All-5A Northeast Valley Region 1st team after leading Horizon to the 5A semifinals.
- Mateo Rodriguez, Chandler
- Rodriguez is the #57 overall player in Arizona and had nine college offers, including NAU, Army, Idaho and New Mexico State, according to 247Sports. After helping lead the Chandler Wolves to the Open Division playoffs, Rodriguez was named to the All-6A Premier Region 1st team.
- Matthew Lado, Apollo
- Lado, who will be joining his Apollo teammate Adam Mohammed at the University of Arizona in the fall, is the #32 overall player and #2 offensive tackle in the Class of 2024 in Arizona, according to 247Sports. He was named to the 5A All-Conference 1st team and the All-5A Northwest Region 1st team after helping lead the Hawks to the 5A semifinals.
- Kaden Haeckel, Liberty
- Haeckel stood out as the top offensive lineman on the top team in Arizona and was named to the All-6A Northeast Valley Region 1st Team. He has offers from Colgate, NAU and the University of San Diego.
- Amare Taase, Saguaro
- Taase was the leader on the offensive line for the 6A state champion Sabercats. He is the #40 overall player and #2 inside offensive lineman in the state of Arizona, according to 247Sports and is committed to UNLV. He was named to the All-6A Northeast Valley 1st team this season.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
- Elijah Rushing, Salpointe Catholic
- Rushing, the lone player to make the All-Fever team from southern Arizona, is the #1 overall player in the state, according to 247Sports, and is committed to Oregon. He helped lead Salpointe Catholic to the 6A semifinals and in 13 games this season, had 55 tackles (41 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, four passes broken up, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He was named to the All-6A Central Region 1st Team.
- Noah Carter, Centennial
- Carter, who was also named the Friday Night Fever Defensive Player of the Year, is the #3 overall player in the Class of 2024 in Arizona, according to 247Sports, and committed to Washington. In 12 games for Centennial this season, Carter had 55 tackles (36 solo), two tackles for loss, 11 sacks, an interception, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He also had 32 catches for 677 yards and eight touchdowns on offense. On special teams, he returned two punts for touchdowns. Carter did it all for Centennial in 2023. He was named the 6A Northeast Valley Region Defensive Player of the Year.
- Deshawn Warner, Desert Edge
- The Kansas commit is the #4 overall player in the Class of 2024 in Arizona, according to 247Sports. He helped lead the Scorpions to the 5A state championship game and had 63 tackles (30 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, two interceptions, a pass breakup, eight forced fumbles and a blocked field goal in 13 games. He was named to the All-5A Desert West Region 1st team and was the 5A Desert West Region Player of the Year. He was also named the 5A Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
- Cayden Gibson, Arizona College Prep
- Gibson stood out as one of the best defensive players in 4A this year. In 12 games for Arizona College Prep, who made it to the 4A quarterfinals, Gibson had 102 tackles (43 solo), 36 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, a pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and three blocked punts. He was named to the All-4A Desert Sky Region 1st Team and is the 4A Desert Sky Region Defensive Player of the Year. Gibson is uncommitted and has offers from the University of San Diego, Johns Hopkins, Lewis & Clark College, Minot State and Arizona Christian.
LINEBACKERS
- Keaton Stam, Liberty
- Stam was one of the unquestioned leaders of the 2023 Open Division state champion Liberty Lions. In 13 games this season, Stam had 105 tackles (64 solo), 9.5 sacks, two interceptions, one pass breakup and one blocked punt. He is uncommitted and has offers from the University of San Diego, Arizona Christian, Puget Sound, Lake Forest College and Fort Lewis College.
- Champ Gennicks, Red Mountain
- Gennicks lived up to his name for the Mountain Lions this season, helping lead their Cinderella run to the 6A state championship game. In 14 games this season, Gennicks was fourth in the state with 157 tackles (57 solo), nine tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries. He was named the 6A East Valley Region Defensive Player of the Year. Gennicks is uncommitted and has an offer from Western New Mexico.
- Caleb Randall, Scottsdale Christian
- Randall, who is a junior, will be a player to watch next season after leading the state of Arizona in tackles and earning a spot on the All-Fever team. In 14 games for the 2A state champion Eagles, Randall had 181 tackles (103 solo), nine tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, six passes broken up, five fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Randall was named to the 2A All-Conference 1st team and the All-2A Verde Region first team.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
- Jacob Owens, Boulder Creek
- Owens had a stellar season for the Boulder Creek Jaguars, who won the 6A Desert Valley Region before losing to Perry in the first round of the 6A Playoffs. In 10 games this season, Owens had 62 tackles (46 solo), two tackles for loss, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He is uncommitted but has offers from Benedictine College, Arizona Christian and Western New Mexico.
- Miles Lockhart, Basha
- Lockhart, an Ohio State commit, is the #9 overall player and #3 cornerback in Arizona, according to 247Sports. In just nine games this season, Lockhart had 39 tackles (16 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack and six passes broken up. He was named to the All-6A Premier Region 1st Team.
- Cree Thomas, Brophy
- Thomas is just a junior and he is already one of the top defensive players in all of Arizona. The Notre Dame commit is the #3 player overall and #1 cornerback in the Class of 2025 in Arizona according to 247Sports. In 13 games this season, Thomas had 43 tackles (34 solo), 0.5 sacks, five interceptions and four passes broken up. He was named to the All-6A Central Region 1st team.
- Kody Cullimore, Highland
- Cullimore was one of the best players on the field for the Highland Hawks all season. After leading the Hawks to their first-ever berth in the Open Division playoffs and an appearance in the Open Division semifinals, Cullimore was named the 6A East Valley Region Player of the Year. In 12 games this season, he had 57 tackles (28 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, two passes broken up, 1 fumble recovery and one forced fumble.
- Kenny Worthy III, Centennial
- Worthy, a Washington State commit, is the #27 overall player in Arizona and #2 Athlete, according to 247Sports. In 13 games this season, Worth had 48 tackles (34 solo), seven tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions, 16 passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He also played offense for Centennial where he had nine rushes for 180 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 27 catches for 639 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Worth was named to the All-6A Northeast Valley Region 2nd team as both a cornerback and wide receiver.
KICKER
- Samuel Hunsaker, ALA-Queen Creek
- Hunsaker, who has a history as a star soccer player, stepped on a football field for the first time this season and became a star for the ALA-Queen Creek Patriots. In 11 games this season, Hunsaker was 11/12 on field goals, with his longest going for a school-record of 50 yards. He was also 42/42 on extra point attempts and 45 touchbacks on kickoffs. Hunsaker was named to the All-6A East Valley Region 1st Team.
PUNTER
- Kanyon Floyd, Horizon
- The ASU commit is the #49 overall player in Arizona, #1 punter in Arizona and #2 punter in the nation, according to 247Sports. Floyd was named 5A All-Conference 1st team and All-5A Northeast Valley region 1st team as a kicker and punter. In 13 games this season, Floyd punted 24 times for an average of 45.5 yards per punt. His longest punt this season went for 67 yards and he had nine punts downed inside the 20-yard-line. This is Floyd's second appearance on the All-Fever Team.
KICK RETURNER
- Darius Haskin, Buckeye Union
- Haskin was a star all over the field for the Hawks, who lost to Eastmark in the first round of the 4A playoffs. He was named All-4A West Valley Region 1st Team as both a punter and wide receiver. In 11 games played this season, Haskin had 78 catches, 1,198 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 16 times for 237 yards and four touchdowns. But it was as a kick returner that he shined brightest. He returned 13 kickoffs for an average of 45.8 yards and four touchdowns. Haskin also returned nine punts for an average of 27.6 yards and two touchdowns.
Golden Arm Award: Paradise Honors QB Gage Baker
While Baker wasn't named the All-Fever Quarterback or Offensive Player of the Year (as both of those awards when to Demond Williams Jr.), 12Sports wanted to honor his record-breaking season by giving him the first-ever Golden Arm Award. Baker, who led Paradise Honors to their first-ever state title game appearance, was the state leader in passing yards (6,045) and touchdown passes (91). Those are both Arizona state records and the 91 touchdown passes tied a national record set by Corey Robinson from Lone Oak High School in Kentucky in 2007.
Hot Shot of the Year: ALA-Queen Creek QB Enoch Watson
All season, the 12Sports team has been asking you to vote on the top play, which we call a Hot Shot. One play stood above the rest as the best play we saw all season. That belongs to ALA-Queen Creek QB Enoch Watson. In Week 5 against Pinnacle, Watson threw a pass that was tipped up into the air. He somehow found the ball, caught it and ran in for a touchdown. For that, he earned the Hot Shot of the Year.
State Championship Hot Shot: Centennial CB/WR Kenny Worthy III
Speaking of Hot Shots, the final play of the week winner is Centennial's Kenny Worthy for his diving touchdown catch in the Open Division state championship against Liberty.
Sky12 Skylight of the Year: Pinnacle QB Wyatt Horton
And the final award for the 2023 season is the Sky12 Skylight of the Year, which belongs to Pinnacle QB Wyatt Horton. In Week 9 against the Sandra Day O'Connor Eagles, Wyatt was scrambling near the endzone and before being sacked somehow found a way to throw a shovel pass for a touchdown to Blake Donnelly.
That wraps it up for season 34 of Friday Night Fever! Be a believer and catch season 35 of the Fever next fall!
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.
Friday Night Fever on YouTube
Watch more of the latest Friday Night Fever videos on the 12News YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!