The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) announced the recipients of the Week 10 Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions. Eight players were recognized for outstanding play during their respective games on Friday, October 25: Jalen Early (Sr. QB, Millennium); Matthew McClelland (Sr. QB/DB, Arete Prep); Steven Ortiz (Jr. DB, Desert Ridge); Lathan Ransom (Sr. DB/WR, Salpointe); Gage Reese (Sr. QB, Yuma Catholic); Brenden Rice (Sr. WR, Hamilton); Will Shaffer (Sr. LB/TE/RB, Saguaro); 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 in a release. “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

Jalen Early led Millennium to a 7-2 record during Week 10. He was 12-16 passing for 244 yards and 5 TDs in a 69-0 win 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 281 yards and a TD, rushed for 73 yards and a TD on offense, then had 11 tackles and 5 INTs on defense.

 

Steven Ortiz – Jr. DB – Desert Ridge

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

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 328 yards receiving and 7 TDs. On defense, he has collected 39 tackles, 3 TFL and 2 sacks.

 

Gage Reese – Sr. QB – Yuma Catholic

Senior QB, Gabe Reese, led the Shamrocks to a 78-21 win over Paradise completing 15-20 passes for 401 yards and 7TDs, improving his season totals to 2,385 yards and 33 TDs.

 

Brenden Rice – Sr. WR – Hamilton

In a 49-17 win over Perry in Week 10, Brenden Rice posted his best game of the season logging 9 catches for 155 yards and 3 TDs, propelling Hamilton to a 49-17 win over the Pumas.

 

Will Shaffer – Sr. LB/TE/RB – Saguaro

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 300 yards rushing and 7 TDs.

 

Chris Weaver – Sr. RB – Odyssey Institute

The Minotaur senior broke the all-time 3A high school career rushing record by posting 6,796 yards through Week 10 of his senior year. In a 55-20 win over Coronado, Weaver carried the ball 34 times for 372 yards and 6 TDs.