The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Week 10 Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions. Eight players are recognized for outstanding play during their respective games on Friday, October 25, 2019: Jalen Early (Sr. QB, Millennium HS); Matthew McClelland (Sr. QB/DB, Arete Preparatory Academy); Steven Ortiz (Jr. DB, Desert Ridge HS); Lathan Ransom (Sr. DB/WR, Salpointe Catholic HS); Gage Reese (Sr. QB, Yuma Catholic HS); Brenden Rice (Sr. WR, Hamilton HS); Will Shaffer (Sr. LB/TE/RB, Saguaro HS); and Chris Weaver (Sr. RB, Odyssey Institute).
“The final week of the regular season did not disappoint and each of these nominees delivered outstanding performances in games where their team’s playoff position was at stake,” said Rob Yowell, Selection Committee Chair. “These young men represent the best of a talented group in this final week and deserve their official nominations for the Ed Doherty Award.”
Early, Ortiz, Ransom, Reese, Rice, and Shaffer named on the 56-player Week 3 Watch List™ released on September 10, 2019. All eight players will receive their Medallions at an upcoming school event this week. By earning these Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions, they will attend the end of season Ed Doherty Award Luncheon on December 14, 2019 where one athlete will become the recipient of the Ed Doherty Award.
Details on their individual performances on October 25th are as follows:
Jalen Early – Sr. QB – Millennium HS
Jalen Early led Millennium to a 7-2 record during Week 10. He was 12/16 passing for 244yds and 5TDs in a 69-0 rout over Willow Canyon.
Matthew McClelland - Sr. QB/DB – Arete Preparatory Academy
In a 34-22 1A playoff win for the Chargers over Anthem Prep, McClelland threw for 281yds and a TD, rushed for 73yds and a TD on offense, then had 11 tackles and 5 INTs on defense.
Steven Ortiz – Jr. DB – Desert Ridge HS
Steven Ortiz led the Desert Edge defense in the team's 42-19 win over Deer Valley in Week 10. The junior defensive back has season totals of 50 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries and INT through Week 10.
Lathan Ransom – Sr. DB/WR – Salpointe Catholic HS
Lathan Ransom added to his season totals as a two-way player in the Lancers 49-0 win over Catalina Foothills. Through Week 10, Ransom has 604 all-purpose yards including 328yds receiving and 7TDs. On defense, he has collected 39 tackles, 3 TFL and 2 sacks.
Gage Reese – Sr. QB – Yuma Catholic HS
Senior QB, Gabe Reese, led the Shamrocks to a 78-21 win over Paradise completing 15/20 passes for 401yds and 7TDs, improving his season totals to 2,385 yds and 33TDs.
Brenden Rice – Sr. WR – Hamilton HS
In a 49-17 win over Perry in Week 10, Brenden Rice posted his best game of the season logging 9 catches for 155yds and 3TDs, propelling Hamilton to a 49-17 win over the Pumas.
Will Shaffer – Sr. LB/TE/RB – Saguaro HS
Through Week 10, Sabercats' linebacker, Will Shaffer, has tallied 61 tackles, 2 sacks, INT, while forcing one fumble and recovering another. On offense, the two-way starter also has logged over 300yds rushing and 7TDs.
Chris Weaver – Sr. RB – Odyssey Institute
The Minotaurs senior has broken the all-time 3A high school career rushing record by posting 6,796yrds through Week 10 of his senior year. In a 55-20 win over Coronado, Weaver carried the ball 34 times for 372yds and 6TDs.
To learn more about the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club and previous Ed Doherty Award winners, visit http://www.gcsgridiron.com/.
About Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is the steward of the Ed Doherty Award and is the most meaningful advocate of high school football in the State of Arizona. The mission of the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is to represent Arizona amateur athletics by bringing national attention to the extraordinary qualities of our young people and serve in the pursuit of athletic achievement, academic advancement and greater social affinity.
About the Ed Doherty Award
For 32 years, the Ed Doherty Award has been the State of Arizona’s highest individual high school football honor and is awarded annually to the state’s most outstanding high school football player by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club. The Ed Doherty Award recognizes the player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The winner of the award epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. In addition to on-field performance, the Ed Doherty Award recognizes the well-rounded accomplishments of community involvement, school pride, and academics.
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