St. Mary’s coach, Combs RB earn Cardinals’ weekly high school honors

Head coach Jose Lucero of St. Mary’s and senior running back Joey Jensen of Combs were respectively named the Arizona Cardinals high school coach and player of the week, the NFL team announced Wednesday.

Lucero led the Knights to a 14-7 victory over Poston Butte High School. St. Mary’s kept Poston Butte scoreless in the second half. The Knights finished the regular season 6-2 and have clinched a spot in the 4A playoffs.

Jensen and the Coyotes had a 41-12 win over Arcadia. Jensen rushed for a single-game school record of 408 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries. Combs finished their season 3-3 overall.

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.

Lucero received a plaque and a $1,000 check on behalf of Cardinals Charities in support of the St. Mary’s football program on Wednesday.

Jensen received a glass trophy.

In the first week of the playoffs, St. Mary’s will face American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek) in the 4A quarterfinals this Friday at 7 p.m.

Combs did not make the playoffs.

Previous 2020 Winners:

Week 1: Coach Mike Zdebski of Hamilton and QB Burton De Lay of Valley Vista
Week 2: Coach Bobby Newcombe of Casteel and RB Eli Sanders of Chandler
Week 3: Coach Mike Fell of Mountain View and WR Eric Lira of Mesquite
Week 4: Coach Ty Widsom of Horizon and DB Cole Martin of Hamilton
Week 5: Coach Chris Rizzo of Ironwood and QB Ty Thompson of Mesquite
Week 6: Coaches Marcus and Mark Carter of Desert Edge and K/MLB Jace Feely of Gilbert Christian
Week 7: Coach Chris McDonald of Basha and RB Kavaughn Clark of Centennial