Gila Ridge head coach Jessica Slaughter has been named the Arizona Cardinals high school coach of the week following the Hawks’ 41-7 win over Yuma High School last Friday.
Slaughter became the first female head coach in Arizona Interscholastic Association history to win an 11-man football game with the victory.
Hired on June 9, Slaughter became the first women’s varsity of football coach in the Yuma Union High School District, as well as just the second full-time woman head football coach in AIA history.
A Gila Ridge alumni, Slaughter spent three years as the head coach of the freshman team and was defensive line coach of the varsity team in 2020 prior to becoming head coach.
For 27 years, Cardinals coach of the week is selected by a local sports panel, which includes Cardinals defensive lineman Corey Peters. As part of the award, Gila Ridge will receive a $1,000 check on behalf of Cardinals Charities.
Slaughter will receive a certification for the award, signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill and head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Yuma Catholic quarterback Richard Stallworth was also named Cardinals high school player of the week.
Leading the Shamrocks to a 63-0 win over Chino Valley, Stallworth completed 21 of his 34 passes for 535 yards and eight touchdowns.