Through five weeks: gunslingers of the midseason

Through five weeks of Prep Redzone Oklahoma football, the players listed below were among the best pro-style and dual-threat passers I have seen: <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="200526" first="Tristen" last="Russell"]</strong> | Mustang ’23</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #e8e3e3;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">5’11" QB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Not committed</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Russell had the passing game of his life <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/09/free-norman-tops-mustang-in-shootout/">against Norman</a> when he threw 21-of-29 for 328 yards and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/09/scouting-report-mustang-2/">six passing touchdowns</a> week two in a 58-62 loss. And even a few of those incompletions were drops. For four quarters, Russell was essentially on-the-money against the Tigers, and it was only a step above his season average, as the junior has led one of the highest scoring offenses in the state. The Broncos (3-2) have averaged 49 points-per-game through the first half of the season, and the 5-foot-11-inch gun-slinger has played no small part in that success. Russell has been superb under the structure of the offense -- yes, enjoying the cooperation of one of the best receiving corps in the state, but don’t be misinformed to believe he doesn’t make just as many plays for them as they make for him. He habitually times passes exceptionally, especially those against the zone that rely on his anticipating gaps and releasing the ball swiftly as his receivers break on routes. On down-field passes, Russell can really air the ball out, often hitting those weapons in stride with plenty of room to adjust. Outside of the structure, Russell has knack for directing his teammates on broken plays and delivering the ball in situations of improvisation. Under circumstances that provide most high school quarterbacks a predicament that often traps them into making ill-advised decisions, Russell doesn’t lose his cool when he has to compromise for a less-than-optimal play, whether it be a punctured pocket or unexpected coverage. Instead, he regularly makes some of his best, most highlight-worthy plays in those situations. <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108886" first="Gavin" last="Frakes"]</strong> | Norman North ’22</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #e8e3e3;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">6’4" QB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Committed: Princeton</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> I wrote something about how Russell’s aforementioned six-touchdown night wouldn’t soon be topped in a loss, and I really wish I wouldn’t have said that. Literally the next week, on the same field, against Russell’s team, Frakes put on the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/09/scouting-report-norman-north/">performance</a> of the early season when he completed 21-of-29 passes for 392 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 186 yard and one touchdown on the ground in a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/09/free-mustang-survives-49-49-thriller-against-norman-north/">48-49 loss</a> to Mustang. Also a standout basketball player for the Timberwolves, the Princeton commit is a dynamic athlete with a versatile skill-set. <img class="size-medium wp-image-170938 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/07/Gavin-Frakes-6-crop-5965x3917-1626320302-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />Like any great passer, Frakes is well-versed on his team’s playbook as well as opposing defenses, displaying each week his ability to make anticipatory passes against the zone. One of my favorite traits about Frakes is his reluctancy to take any aspect of his playbook for granted; if he’s selling a pump fake, he’s <em>selling </em>a pump fake. If he’s working out of the play action, he’s using his eyes and footwork to sell the handoff. Frakes essentially leaves no quirk or edge untapped. Speaking of his footwork, Frakes moves really well with the ball, and that lends to his ability to pass. He’s consistently aware and hardly sluggish in the pocket, always maintaining the threat to keep the ball, which forces opposing defenses to stay home and respect his legs -- otherwise, he’ll catch them with their hand in the cookie jar and promptly break upfield for a big chunk of the field. As far as his mechanics go, Frakes is one of the best pure distributors I’ve seen so far this season. Regardless of pressure, he delivers a fundamental, clean ball every time he can. Some of his best throws this season, in fact, have come with Frakes stepping up under a collapses pocket and delivering a good ball downfield. <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="69271" first="Lathan" last="Boone"]</strong> | Booker T. Washington ’23</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #e8e3e3;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">6’1" QB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">Not committed</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Boone has led the stellar Booker T. Washington (4-1) offense to an explosive 47 points-per-game through the first half of the season, and he has shown zero signs of slowing down. He’s already accounted for over 1,100 total yards of offense and 18 touchdowns this season. Like Frakes, Boone isn’t only a <a href="https://twitter.com/mckinnisbryce/status/1435643768384929799?s=21">dual-sport</a> athlete, he’s dual-threat, too. Boone gives his team a boost -- and his own production, for that matter -- with his ability to play out of the read-option and keep the ball, when he needs to. He has good speed to him and some slickness, and he can break off for long runs. But back to his passing -- Boone creates so many opportunities for his seasoned receiving corps. One thing that Boone understands well is the virtue of putting the ball where only <em>his</em> target can get to it. He has great trust with his receivers, who can usually get the edge on their respective matchups, especially with the Hornets’ dynamic offense. <img class="size-medium wp-image-191891 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/Lathan-Boone-5.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />When they do, Boone does a great job of stepping up and delivering the ball in a timely manner where his receivers only have to compete to the extent the defense warrants to make the catch. Boone’s accuracy was indicative in a 233-yard <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/09/free-booker-t-washington-tops-del-city/">passing performance</a> against Del City early in the year. Admittedly, to Del City’s credit, the Eagles had Boone’s number in the first half and forced the junior gun-slinger into numerous errors. However, coming out of the second half, Boone lit the Eagles’ defense up, hitting his receivers in stride, expending a variety of his options, then recycling back to the early options just as Del City became privy to his schemes. It was like clockwork how Boone operated and dismantled the Del City defense as he went on to complete 9 of his final 10 pass attempts to lift the Hornets to victory. <hr /> Other standouts: <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="133434" first="William" last="Paque"]</strong></span> | Heritage Hall ’22 -- Conservative quarterback who efficiently utilizes the tools around him. Can air the ball out at times. Good throwing mechanics, but sometimes gets loose on fundamentals under pressure. Overall, little to criticize about this senior playmaker.</li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>River Warren</strong></span> | Bishop McGuinness ’24 -- Young, developing quarterback improving each week. Has a strong arm, is poised, and naturally gifted. Biggest challenge is timing.</li> <li><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="51882" first="Virgil" last="Yates"]</strong></span> | Del City ’22 -- Tough-as-nails versatile quarterback who can take a hit and get back up. Throws a good downfield ball, although gets antsy at times. All-around playmaking talents with his arm and legs.</li> </ul>