King of the North: Top 10 Quarterbacks in Northern Colorado

Another edition of the top quarterbacks in Colorado is here yet again! Only this time, it’s only fitting to point our compass towards the north side and the schools that possess some of the most talented quarterbacks in the state. Whether they’re an up and coming underclassmen with huge upside, or a savvy, seasoned veteran with all of the natural tools to be successful at the high school level, there is no wrong pick when deciding between the top ten signal callers of the north. Which superbly skilled signal callers claim the throne and call themselves Kings of the North?   QB [player_tooltip player_id="150189" first="Tyler" last="Kubat"] 6’5" 200 Fossil Ridge Class of 2023 (#3 QB, #27 Overall) 2021 Stats: 212/369, 3,116 Yards, 14.7 AVG, 283.3 YPG, 27 TD’s, 11 INT’s, 97.1 QBR One of the highest rated quarterbacks within the class of 2023, the Fossil Ridge standout put together an incredible 2021 campaign, one that saw Mr. Kubat average nearly 300 yards per game while dotting up opposing defenses for 27 touchdowns through the air. Kubat’s strong point is his terrific pocket presence when the play is digressing, almost effortlessly navigating the pocket with an ease that gives him the opportunity to make any throw from multiple different angles. His ability to stand in the pocket, throw on the run, and even scramble when needed showcases his big time ability to make plays when his team needs him the most. As long as the Sabercats have Kubat’s rocket arm at their disposal, the games ending in the win column will be in abundant form. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13079947/61844c834ba7ec0b64413a35" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> https://twitter.com/SixZeroAcademy/status/1498095602495750145   QB [player_tooltip player_id="62228" first="Cole" last="LaCrue"] 6’2" 190 Broomfield Class of 2023 (#4 QB, #32 Overall) 2021 Stats: Passing: 173/279, 2,365 Yards, 13.7 AVG, 215 YPG, 21 TD’s, 5 INT’s, 106.7 QBR Rushing: 106 CAR, 558 Yards, 5.3 AVG, 8 TD’s Reigning from Broomfield and wearing the blue and white with pride, the Eagles signal caller presents matchup nightmares for defenses alike. In 2021, LaCrue added an extra element to his game. LaCrue managed to average 5.3 YPC, which resulted in him rushing for at least 500 yards and cementing himself as a true dual threat playmaker. Additionally, LaCrue has developed into a well respected passer, managing to play turnover free football while putting up points on the scoreboard at a feverish rate. Heading into senior season, Broomfield’s leader will be hungry for a chance at making a run for state and a for a chance to be the best QB the state has to offer. https://twitter.com/carson_orvis/status/1496996745267408902   QB [player_tooltip player_id="22741" first="Kaiden" last="Box"] 6’4" 175 Skyline Class of 2023 (#7 QB, #61 Overall) 2021 Stats: 78/166, 1,041 Yards, 13.3 AVG, 148.7 AVG, 9 TD’s, 4 INT’s, 75.4 QBR Another possible intriguing prospect within the box state resides from Skyline High School, where the 4A Falcons were quite successful a season ago, posting a very respectable 6-5 record and will no doubt be looking to build off that winning mentality come fall time. In order to have success in 2022, QB [player_tooltip player_id="22741" first="Kaiden" last="Box"] will need to continue his promising play from a year ago where he posted mostly encouraging numbers under center. Box did not have the luxury of unlimited reps in 2021, but he displayed all of the tools to be a high-level starting quarterback within the Class of 4A. At first glance, Box possesses an ideal frame and should continue to grow even stronger physically heading into his final season. When you combine his towering stature with his raw natural abilities, it makes sense to include the up and coming field general on this list. https://twitter.com/BoxKaiden/status/1498165581484228611 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4346354/619478d8f31c620918c74fe5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   QB [player_tooltip player_id="150188" first="Gage" last="Brook"] 6’5" 190 Rocky Mountain Class of 2023 (#14 QB, #116 Overall) 2021 Stats: 91/163, 1,693 Yards, 18.6 AVG, 211.6 YPG, 13 TD’s, 5 INT’s, 105.7 QBR The next prospect included under the top 10 quarterbacks from northern Colorado is another player that has a chance to bloom in 2022. Standing at a more than ideal size of 6’5", the critique on Brook’s play does not stem from his attributes, but possibly perhaps his experience playing the quarterback position. Despite his limited action from under center, the first impression of his play is nothing but positive. Brook is highly intelligent with the game of football, and it shows when he looks for open receivers by going through is throwing progressions. If Brook can put in the work in fine tuning some of his mechanics, do not be surprised if Brook has breakout potential in the months to follow. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13370583/618885ac19b0010bd0bef38f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   QB [player_tooltip player_id="62223" first="Garrett" last="Harstad"] 6’5" 195 Loveland Class of 2023 (#21 QB, #170 Overall) 2021 Stats: Passing: 36/46, 594 Yards, 16.5 AVG, 54.0 YPG, 11 TD’s, 159.0 QBR Rushing: 126 CAR, 1,245 Yards, 9.9 AVG, 113.2 YPG, 17 TD’s One of the most lethal running quarterbacks that the state of Colorado has to offer, Harstad provides a punch when meeting with defenders head on in the second level. After the grueling and punishing moments of a game have near reached its foregone conclusion, it is the Loveland signal caller who tends to have the last laugh with his taxing playing style. Over the course of the 2021 campaign, Harstad was a human wrecking ball, averaging 113 rushing yards per game and even finding pay dirt an astounding 17 times on the ground. Shockingly, Harstad only threw 46 passing attempts during his junior season, which exemplifies just how effective he was running the rock, as defenses were constantly stacking the box and finding little to no success in stopping the Red Wolves running attack. The multi-year starter has steadily improved in the passing game each season he’s been at the helm, but in order for him to be among the best quarterbacks in Colorado, improvement with his accuracy and arm strength is a necessity. https://twitter.com/GarrettHarstad/status/1455987767146520578   QB [player_tooltip player_id="143622" first="Blake" last="Barnett"] 6’2" 210 Erie Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: Passing: 159/243, 2,560 Yards, 16.1 AVG, 182.9 AVG, 27 TD’s, 7 INT’s, 125.5 QBR Rushing: 123 CAR, 1,049 Yards, 8.5 AVG, 24 TD’s The Erie Tigers’ do-it-all offensive MVP introduced himself to many in Colorado in 2021, and boy did he put on quite the show. Leading his team all the way to the state title game and demonstrating his clutch gene during the most critical moments of the season, [player_tooltip player_id="143622" first="Blake" last="Barnett"] was a rockstar for his squad. Entering 2022, the sky is the limit for what he can do, and expectations will be higher than ever after such an exhilarating ride a season ago. Looking purely at his numbers, his overall statistical work will leave you in awe. One of the more electrifying and playmaking quarterbacks from the class of 2024, it was nearly impossible to stop Barnett and his dual-threat capabilities. Eyes will be watching closely on the soon-to-be junior field general to see if Barnett can replicate even a fraction of the success that he experienced in 2021. If this is plausible for the young QB, then he should see himself catapulted into the select list of one of the better quarterbacks within the Centennial state. https://twitter.com/ErieTigersFB/status/1471919171415904256   QB [player_tooltip player_id="251263" first="Rylan" last="Cooney"] 5’8" 160 Holy Family Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 106/191, 1,865 Yards, 17.6 AVG, 169.5 YPG, 19 TD’s, 8 INT’s, 104.7 QBR When first settling your eyes on the Holy Family product, some are surprised to witness his shorter stature for a starting quarterback at the high school level, but do not overlook Mr. Cooney’s ability to throw the pigskin. 2021 was very kind to Cooney, as the smaller QB instead played like a 6’4" physical brute, launching 19 touchdowns to his fellow wideouts and providing a spark to the offense that the Tigers haven’t seen in quite some time. Putting on his best Doug Flutie impersonation, Cooney’s stellar play has drawn attention from many throughout the area and should erase any doubt of what kind of player he can be in 2022 and beyond.   QB [player_tooltip player_id="251319" first="CT" last="Worley"] 6’2" 180 Broomfield Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 2/2, 10 Yards, 106.3 QBR The second Broomfield signal caller to be included on this list, the second string QB was limited in game action, but fortunately was apart of a strong quarterback room. Fellow flame thrower QB [player_tooltip player_id="62228" first="Cole" last="LaCrue"] demonstrated a prolific way to run the offense in 2021, and should benefit Worley by giving him a general idea of how to be a strong leader while using your attributes to the best of your abilities. Despite only attempting two passes during the regular season, Worley’s overall arm talent could definitively be seen in practices and camps where he attended. Worley will be given the keys to the shiny new car soon enough, and in the meantime, his outstanding quarterback skills should not be taken lightly in any sense. https://twitter.com/2025_ct/status/1467660316636942340 https://twitter.com/2025_ct/status/1490533676500733953   QB [player_tooltip player_id="232155" first="Alex" last="Birch"] 5’7" 157 Horizon Class of 2025 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 178/289, 2,130 Yards, 12.0 AVG, 213.0 YPG, 16 TD’s, 5 INT’s, 95.4 QBR Premiering as the first quarterback on this list to represent the upcoming sophomore class of 2025, [player_tooltip player_id="232155" first="Alex" last="Birch"] out of Horizon High School plays with all heart all of the time. One of the tougher playmakers behind center, Birch throws a mean deep ball and can hit his receivers with accuracy in the short and intermediate passing game, especially for someone that has his dimensions. Birch is a pure pocket passer through and through, but that doesn’t mean he is unable to use his legs to fight for extra yardage or to elude defenders while on the run. The Horizon passing game was on point a season ago, as Birch averaged just north of 200 yards per game while also compiling a 95.4 quarterback rating. Unless regression takes place, there is no specific reason that the Hawks field general won’t improve in the coming years. Birch remains as a possible breakout performer as we slowly but surely get closer to the kickoff of the 2022 high school season. https://twitter.com/athanvigil6/status/1470656099032338433 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15975378/6180d0663df4d30ba81aff5f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   QB [player_tooltip player_id="165130" first="Bekkem" last="Kritza"] 6’4" 180 Fairview Class of 2025 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 268/413, 3,192 Yards, 11.9 AVG, 319.2 AVG, 22 TD’s, 8 INT’s Last and certainly not least, [player_tooltip player_id="165130" first="Bekkem" last="Kritza"] was as efficient as they come during his first season of high school ball. Finishing the year off by placing second among 5A quarterbacks and third among all division quarterbacks in passing yards with 3,192, Kritza was an absolute machine that could not be turned off. As a freshman, Kritza crushed all expectations of himself coming onto the high school scene, as his elite ball placement and accuracy was a major x-factor in all of the games he suited up for in 2021. Already standing at a more than ideal 6’4" and with every opportunity in front of him to grow and develop as a quarterback, the Fairview Knights commanding general on offense has the whole city of Boulder buzzing with excitement. The one thing that would send the 12th most populous city into a full blown frenzy? Bringing home a 5A State Championship trophy with Kritza leading the troops into the Colorado high school football history books. https://twitter.com/stretch2025/status/1486853926192304131 https://twitter.com/stretch2025/status/1462818469292822528 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16078708/618dadbc5caa7a0a6c119f7d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>