The Arizona Cardinals Football Club and U.S. Army have named Northwest Christian's Derek Wahlstrom as the Cards "High School Coach-of-the-Week."
The Cards and U.S. Army "Coach-of-the-Week" award is selected by a local sports panel consisting of Cardinals Director of Community Relations Luis Zendejas, Community Relations Coordinator Sheldon Meeks, Sports 620 AM anchor Paul Calvisi, NBC-12 sports reporter Bruce Cooper, 16-year Arizona high school football official Bob Ferreira, Cardinals radio analyst and Sports 620 AM talk show host Ron Wolfley, AIA Director of Media Marketing Brian Bolitho, former Arizona high school coach Emil Nasser, 1060 AM radio host Dan Manucci, and U.S. Army representative Sergeant James Minter.
Wahlstrom and his Crusaders won their seventh consecutive game to start the season as they defeated Scottsdale Christian High School 42-41 last Friday night. Brothers and fellow running backs Kyle and (160 yards, TD) and Casey Jahn (89 yards, four TDs) helped lead the Crusaders to the victory.
The award will be presented to Wahlstrom and the Northwest Christian High School football team on Friday, October 17 at Noon in the school's courtyard (16401 N. 43rd Avenue, Phoenix). The Crusaders visit Canyon State Academy on Friday night at 7 p.m.
The Cardinals 14-year "Coach-of-the-Week" program presents a selected high school coach with a certificate signed by Cardinals President William V. Bidwill and Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt. Cardinals Charities provides t-shirts for team members and awards the school $2,000 to support its football program.
A Cardinals player or alumnus, team mascot Big Red, and Community Relations Coordinator Sheldon Meeks will present the award.
2008 Winners
Week 1: Charlie Ragle, Chaparral H.S.
Week 2: Richard Taylor, Centennial H.S.
Week 3: Dennis Bene, Salpointe Catholic H.S.
Week 4: Jon Becktold, Phoenix Washington H.S.
Week 5: John Sanders, Saguaro H.S.
Week 6: Derek Wahlstrom, Northwest Christian H.S.
