Mountain View coach, Mesquite WR earn Cardinals’ high school honors

Coach Mike Fell of Mountain View and senior wide receiver/defensive back Eric Lira of Mesquite were respectively named the Arizona Cardinals high school coach and player of the week, the NFL team announced Tuesday.

Fell and the Toros posted a 16-13 victory over Red Mountain High School last Friday. The game was the first time Red Mountain lost a district game since 2017. The Toros are undefeated so far this season.

Lira had an impressive 70-yard pick-six last week against American Leadership Academy. He also recorded six catches for 217 yards and four additional touchdowns in what was AZPreps365’s game of the week. The Wildcats won 60-42, making them 2-1 on the season.

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.

Fell will receive a plaque and a $1,000 check on behalf of Cardinals Charities in support of the Mountain View football program on Wednesday.

Lira will be presented with a glass trophy on Wednesday.

Fell and the Toros will face Desert Vista this week, while Lira and the Wildcats play Seton Catholic on Friday.

Previous 2020 Winners:

Week 1: Coach Mike Zdebski of Hamilton and quarterback Burton De Lay of Valley Vista

Week 2: Coach Bobby Newcombe of Casteel and RB Eli Sanders of Chandler