Hamilton coach, Valley Vista QB earn Cardinals’ weekly high school honors

Coach Mike Zdebski of Hamilton and junior quarterback Burton DeLay of Valley Vista were respectively named the Arizona Cardinals high school coach and player of the week, the NFL team announced Tuesday.

Zdebski led Hamilton to a 42-0 victory over the Centennial Coyotes on Friday. Hamilton, which is ranked No. 5 in the state by MaxPreps, had great success running the ball and defending their home field against Centennial, which is ranked No. 13. The game was a rematch of last year’s Open Division quarterfinals matchup that Hamilton also won.

Zdebski is in his third year with the Hamilton football program.

DeLay led Valley Vista to a 45-17 victory over Agua Fria. DeLay finished Friday with 421 total passing yards and six touchdowns, according to MaxPreps. His day included an 80-yard touchdown strike to senior wide receiver Angel Gomez.

The weekly awards are selected by a local panel of sports figures, including Cardinals defensive lineman Corey Peters, former high school football coach Kelly Epley, former 12 News sports anchor Bruce Cooper, 3TV/CBS 5 sports anchor Tresa Tudrick, high school broadcaster Michael Carotenuto, and Arizona Republic high school writer Richard Obert.

Zdebski will receive a plaque and a $1,000 check on behalf of Cardinals Charities in support of the Hamilton football program. The plaque will be presented in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday.

DeLay will receive a glass trophy Wednesday.

Hamilton and Zdebski will face Perry High School this week, while DeLay’s Valley Vista squad will play Notre Dame Prep Friday at 7 p.m.