Grading Quarterback Performances From Semi-Final Round

Last weekend's semi-final round saw some quarterback performances worth diving into and exploring beyond the box score. Studying how the quarterback performed independently of the team can give us a great snapshot of what strengths quarterbacks possess. Here are some deep dives into quarterback performances.    STAT LINE: 23/47 196 yds, TD 2 Ints   Burns' performance against Red Bank Catholic had many positives and negatives, keeping in mind that he's a first-year varsity starter. Burns started out the game by hitting his first four throws beyond the sticks all of which led to first downs. He even had a pinpoint accurate deep pass that was dropped, but it showed off the high-end traits that he possesses with a 6'2 180lbs frame. He has a quick release and showed the ability to get the ball out on time and run the offense efficiently. Indicative of his only touchdown pass of the game where he hit Tahmir Jones on a slant route.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Bob_Badders/status/1593773055788081153 </div></figure>   In addition, was able to pick up some first downs with his feet; Holy Spirit called a couple of designed runs for him in this game and showed off what he can do from a mobility standpoint. I came away thinking that he has the ability to make some high-end plays out of the structure of the offense and can evade pressure when needed.   While Burns has traits and had some high-end throws in this game it seemed, as the game went on and Holy Spirit had to play mistake-free football his performance began to dissipate. First off, Burns, too many times bailed on clean pockets specifically in the first half and when you bail on clean pockets you simulate pressure that isn't there. Also, you shrink half of the field limiting yourself and your options.   Secondly, he had too many missed layups in terms of easy throws that could have put them into scoring positions or led to huge gains both in the 2nd quarter. One with 11:56 left in the quarter and another that was the would-be touchdown with 7:40 left in the quarter. Two huge plays ate at the momentum of the Holy Spirit Spartans.   Lastly, and the most inexcusable are the back-to-back interceptions when the game was still in reach. Once again, understand that Burns is a first-time starter, but as a quarterback, your first and most paramount job is protecting the football, and when that doesn't happen in the most crucial moments you have to be held accountable. Especially when one of the interceptions was thrown into triple coverage. I thought up until those two moments in the game his decision-making was solid, but mistakes like that in those moments are always backbreakers and they subsequently led to 14 points from Red Bank Catholic.   Burns' positive plays in this game were very impressive, but his turnovers and negative plays were equally as bad, showing he has tools you can work with and also things to clean up in his game.     GAME GRADE: D    STAT LINE: 6/10 122 yds, 2 TD; 8 att, 26 rush yards     Seeing that [player_tooltip player_id='183626' first='Torin' last='Hamon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='183633' first='Sabino' last='Portella'] dominated on the ground to the sound of 264 rushing yards, not much was required from Williams as a passer. Although, he did have some high-end throws that give you much hope that by the time he's a senior he can develop into a Power 5 dual-threat quarterback. Red Bank Catholic leans on the running game and they ease Williams in and don't require him to do too much in terms of creating offense. They have a great offensive line and two senior backs who can get the job done.   Frankie struggled early completing the easy stuff but as the game progressed he began to settle down and make some good throws. Two come to mind specifically, on both his touchdown passes both were 20+ yards throws. However, on his first touchdown passes he took advantage of a coverage bust by the cornerback, making it a layup one that should be routine for him and that all he had to do was put it in standout wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='380411' first='Emanuel' last='Ross']' proximity.   The second touchdown pass was his most impressive throw of the night also to Ross. When the snow started coming down and defenders draped on his arm, he ripped the ball in between two defenders and in the tightest of windows. Displaying his arm strength and accuracy shows what his high end can be on a consistent basis as a passer.   He also picked up two first downs with his legs on a run for 20 yards. Williams is only a sophomore and has shown signs of getting better every game; he did enough in this game for his team to win and flashed his high-end potential as Red Bank Catholic will play in the State Final.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JSZ_Sports/status/1593819210408394753 </div></figure>   GAME GRADE: C+      STAT LINE: 14/26 142 yds; 7 att 25 rush yds   Zamot was the personification of a rollercoaster in this game and for a quarterback who not only has compared himself to Patrick Mahomes but has been lauded by scouts all season as the next great Power 5 quarterback, you expected to see some type of consistency in a big game, especially on that little things.   Let's make no mistake, I can see the high-end potential. He does have the ability to consistently evade pressure, extend plays, and create outside the structure of the offense with his arm and his legs, but as with all young quarterbacks he struggled in this game with consistency and decision-making.   His performance was a tale of two halves as it was a rough first half for Zamot. He had two costly fumbles, one of which was recovered by Mainland off of simple routine snaps from the center. Those types of turnovers by the quarterback in this game are inexcusable in a game of this magnitude.   Secondly, the ball barely traveled beyond the sticks. By my count, Millville let Zamot attempt three passes that were beyond the first down marker. On those throws two were overthrown, and one was not his fault as two wide receivers had poor spacing and caused Zamot's incompletion. All the rest of his pass attempts were screen and swing passes that were at or behind the line of scrimmage and another out route that was completed for 6 yards. He also flashed his mobility as he picked the first down with his legs. Millville's only score of the first half came from the defensive side of the ball.   Now the second half of the performance was where his performance kept swinging from one side of the spectrum to the other. It was almost like from play to play he was trading good plays and bad plays. Millville really leaned into the run game in the second half which helped them open up their offense. Zamot started to settle down a bit to where one of his first accurate deep passes of the game was dropped but he showed nice touch and placement of the throw. Then he had a rollout play to the right that I've seen Millville run against Irvington and in that game he airmailed a receiver. In this game, on the same play they ran earlier in the year Zamot almost threw a costly interception. After that play, he came back and delivered a nice pass to standout sophomore wide receiver Lotzier Brooks for a big first down.   On Millville's last scoring drive of the game, Zamot made two huge plays on the drive one on a pass over the middle that he had some nice touch and a 20 yards scramble to get them into the red zone which ultimately led to a game-winning rushing score from runningback Nyaim Sharp.   Zamot's performance was an emotional rollercoaster but he did have some huge plays down the stretch that propelled Millville to the win.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JSZ_Sports/status/1594482851990622208 </div></figure>   GAME GRADE: C-    STAT LINE: 10/21 148 yds TD; 8 att 5 rush yds   Johnson had a solid game overall. He started out the game with a nice throw into a nice hole-in-zone coverage showing off the accuracy and velocity that he possesses. From there I thought he mixed good plays between running and passing. He made some questionable throws on the run one almost leading to an interception near the goalline and he missed a touchdown to a slot receiver because the ball was not out on time and the receiver had at least two steps of separation. His one touchdown pass on the day came on a 50/50 ball where he gave Jabron Salmon a chance to make a play that led to a touchdown. He also had a nice throw evading pressure for the first down before he exited the game with an injury. Johnson had a solid performance where he did enough for his team to survive and advance.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JSZ_Sports/status/1594127473440018433 </div></figure>   GAME GRADE: C      STAT LINE: 9/29 120 yds, 13 att 28 yds TD, Sack   This performance was one of the more bizarre performances in that his grade in this game I don't believe is all on him. First and foremost Coates struggled in this game as a passer. Leaving a lot of big plays on the table and making a lot of questionable throws into coverage. There's no doubt that Coates has a huge arm, but putting where it needs to be, there's much to be desired. He did have a nice throw on the sideline that was placed perfectly and another first-down throw where escaped from pressure.   As a runner, you have to give credit to the Woodbury defense for limiting his impact as a runner. Even though he scored Salem's only touchdown of the game on the ground, he wasn't getting those 10- 15 yard gains he's youst getting on a regular basis.   Now as I have previously stated that he did struggle as a passer, but I don't think he was put in the best position to get easy completions. Salem's semi-final game wasn't the first time Salem recognized that their quarterback isn't the most accurate especially deep down the field. Since that's the case Salem has enough athletes on the team where some run-after-catch opportunities needed to be maximized. Instead of having Coates traditionally drop back 10-12 times in one drive and hope somebody gets open. Would've loved to see some creativity and some easy throws to help the quarterback out.   Coates also had a sack on defense playing as a backup linebacker. Coates remains one of the most malleable projects at quarterback in his class. As he matriculates to the next level I would love to see a coach take the challenge of coaching him up and utilize his high-end traits.   GAME GRADE: D

Last weekend's semi-final round saw some quarterback performances worth diving into and exploring beyond the box score. Studying how the quarterback performed independently of the team can give us a great snapshot of what strengths quarterbacks possess. Here are some deep dives into quarterback performances.