A Mouth Full of South: Top 10 Quarterbacks in Southern Colorado

Attention everyone! Buckle up your boot straps and put on your ten gallon cowboy hats! Alright, fine. Colorado may not be as country as Texas when it comes to southern festivities, but that doesn’t mean that Coloradans can’t appreciate the highly competitive schools out on the gridiron that are located south of Denver. More specifically, the quarterbacks that are leading these southern institutions deserve to be recognized! Introducing the next edition of the Prep Redzone City series, where it is about that time to name the top 10 quarterbacks of southern Colorado! What intriguing names deserve a tip of the hat for their exceptional quarterbacking play? Here are the top names to watch for as we inch closer to 2022!   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="22744" first="Brayden" last="Dorman"] 6’5" 200 Vista Ridge</strong> Class of 2023 (#1 QB, #2 Overall) 2021 Stats: 206/340, 2,765 Yards, 13.4 AVG, 251.4 YPG, 30 TD’s, 8 INT’s, 106.1 QBR There isn’t much to say that already hasn’t been said. The #1 QB prospect recently announced his commitment to Arizona after posting extraordinary numbers a season ago. The leadership, physical, and intangible skills are all present in Dorman’s game, and a strong season season on offense could present championship aspirations. Vista Ridge certainly has the offensive weapons to compete in every game they play. https://twitter.com/brayden_dorman/status/1496303826932011011   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="22751" first="Tavian" last="Tuli"] 6’2" Fountain Fort-Carson</strong> Class of 2023 (#13 QB, #105 Overall) 2021 Stats: 84/140, 1,029 Yards, 12.3 AVG, 93.5 YPG, 12 TD’s, 3 INT’s, 102.4 QBR Ranked as the #13 QB in the state for the class of 2023, many Fountain-Fort Carson players and coaches truly understand the tenacity, will, and heart that Tuli puts in every Friday night. Those few qualities alone are why he is considered one of the top quarterbacks south of Denver and why the Trojans went on such a deep playoff run in 2021. From a talent perspective, Tuli is remarkably athletic and has the ability to make any throw. Despite lacking consistency at times, Tuli is a proven winner, and his expertise of not giving the football back to the defense is a quality that I’m sure all coaches can get behind. As long as Tuli is under center for the Trojans, a state playoff appearance should be in their future.   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="62226" first="Kasey" last="Jones"] 6’1" 165 Alamosa </strong> Class of 2023 (#16 QB, #139 Overall) 2021 Stats: 117/199, 1,621 Yards, 13.9 AVG, 202.6 YPG, 20 TD’s, 7 INT, 103.9 QBR Mr. Jones quietly put together one heck of a season as the Alamosa starting quarterback during the 2021 season. The upcoming senior’s QB rating was above a 100 and averaged a healthy 200 yards per game. Playing in the 2A Southwest conference, Alamosa was a tough out in league play, posting a 3-1 league record and finishing above .500 at 6-4. Not only did Alamosa endure a mostly positive season and were led by a very productive quarterback, but they are also named the Mean Moose, arguably one of the coolest names in all of Colorado. Now that’s a team we can all get behind!   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="251258" first="Derek" last="Hester"] 6’1" 165 Palmer Ridge </strong> Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 165/246, 2,345 Yards, 14.2 AVG, 195.4 YPG, 25 TD’s, 11 INT’s, 112.9 QBR A solid, all-around player hailing from Palmer Ridge down in the Springs, there sure is a whole lot to like about QB [player_tooltip player_id="251258" first="Derek" last="Hester"]’s game. A highly intelligent quarterback with a knack for making the right play seemingly at the most picture perfect time, Hester was a huge part in contributing to the Bears’ double digit win season. Hester’s footwork and mechanics could use some work, but that should only be considered "nitpicking", as his array of athletic tools will surely give opposing defenses nightmares when the leaves on the trees outside begin to change colors. https://twitter.com/PRFBOfficial/status/1468816350189654018 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14336287/61954f9a96779508645dde94" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="251262" first="Bruce" last="Archambault"] 5’10" 160 Cheyenne Mountain </strong> Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 81/153, 1,255 Yards, 15.5 AVG, 114.1 YPG, 20 TD’s, 7 INT’s, 100.9 QBR Another QB prospect who did wonders for his team down the stretch, Archambault is no stranger in showing off his arm talent. Named First-Team All League in part to his massive 2021 season, the 16 year old Cheyenne Mountain field general is generating enthusiasm around the football program, especially after Archambault led the team to an 8-3 mark and a berth in the the state playoffs. There is no doubting that Archambault will a QB name to watch for in 2022, as the Red-Tailed Hawks leader on offense will look to make strides during his junior season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13347924/618d653c5caa7a0a6c117f57" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="143628" first="Caden" last="Coesens"] 6’1" Pine Creek </strong> Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 2/3, 18 Yards, 82.6 QBR Next on the top 10 list, Mr. Coesens is currently a watch list nominee in the class of 2024. Soon-to-be graduate QB [player_tooltip player_id="153895" first="Josiah" last="Roy"] will not be with the team in the fall, thus creating a tremendous opportunity for Coesens. The future hopeful starter in Coesens only saw limited action in 2021, but with an open competition down in the Springs, the 2024 quarterback will have more than one season to prove his worth. Whether Coesens gets the nod or a younger prospect gets the green light (see below), whoever takes the reins will be inheriting a talented roster that went 10-3 a season ago. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14394695/60847b38b5362d090c91ba9f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="147161" first="Caiven" last="Lake"] 5’10" 135 Salida </strong> Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 41/75, 557 Yards, 13.6 AVG, 92.8 YPG, 3 TD’s, 5 INT’s, 64.1 QBR Included among the prospects that have raw potential, Salida hopeful [player_tooltip player_id="147161" first="Caiven" last="Lake"] will also be a name to know heading into 2022. Believe it or not, Lake saw more action than most, completing 54% of his passes and averaging 13.6 yards per completion. Starting in six games, Lake’s strong arm and pinpoint accuracy caught the eye of many in the area during 2021, even when the team limped to a 1-8 regular season record. Like the Mean Moose of Alamosa, Salida also calls the 2A Southwest Conference their home, which is beginning to appear that strong quarterback play will be present when these schools go head-to-head with one another. Lake has potential, but he tends to panic in the pocket when the play breaks down, which should only be improved as he garners more experience.   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="147555" first="Tyler" last="Harms"] 6’3" 195 Durango </strong> Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: 53/96, 1,113 Yards, 21.0 AVG, 101.2 YPG, 14 TD’s, 6 INT’s, 109.9 QBR The final watch list nominee from the class of 2024, QB [player_tooltip player_id="147555" first="Tyler" last="Harms"] utilizes the same word from his last name against many defenses who are up to the challenge in attempting to stop the Demons’ signal caller. A season ago, a good amount of these defenses failed, as Harms’ harmed them with his array of passing expertise in every way imaginable. In only 96 passing attempts, Harms dotted defenses by the tune of 14 touchdown passes and revealed his big play ability with his 21 yards per pass attempt. If there was one quarterback that might have the biggest upside heading into 2022, look no further than Mr. Harms. https://twitter.com/FootballDurango/status/1490523219534618631 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14764629/61a07ad2c11a0a0b68b95a54" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="152282" first="Cameron" last="Cooper"] 6’0" 180 Pine Creek</strong> Class of 2025 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: N/A The second Pine Creek Eagles quarterback to be mentioned, upcoming sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="152282" first="Cameron" last="Cooper"] will also get his fair shot as the starter for the 2022 campaign. Cooper is athletic enough to possess a dual threat presence but also shows unique arm talent to be an elite pocket passer. Looking into the future of the Pine Creek football program, there are young studs galore, so whoever wins the quarterback battle will have an array of weapons to choose from. Additionally, injuries always play a part of every season, so having two reliable playmaking QB’s will do wonders for Pine Creek. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11623230/61a57a2619af500a78bf2d49" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> https://twitter.com/kaigoetze33/status/1495957454265495554   <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="251318" first="Benjamin" last="Noblitt"] 6’1" 165 Palmer Ridge </strong> Class of 2025 (Watch List Nominee) 2021 Stats: N/A Another duplicate quarterback of the same school, Noblitt has the makings to be the next best field general that Colorado has to offer. Despite his limited playing time, there are rumblings among the Colorado high school football realm that Noblitt is a hard worker and is relentless when in practice and in his free time. The videos included below demonstrates his unteachable arm strength and his commitment to being the best he can be. Time will only tell if Noblitt can live up to the hype, but the sky is the limit for the talented Palmer Ridge product. Even with standout [player_tooltip player_id="251258" first="Derek" last="Hester"] playing lights out in recent year’s past, both QB’s on the Bears’ roster will in fact push one another to be the best that they can be. https://twitter.com/BenNoblitt/status/1498468035715239937 https://twitter.com/KeyPlayerNation/status/1494877560072720388  