Best QBs Of The CSRA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The six top quarterbacks returning to action in the CSRA this fall don't really fit into one positional category.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Or, really, even two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The four seniors and two juniors headlining the western-most pocket of the state include big arms and dual threats and even one of the state's best ball carriers from last fall. The best part is, most of them can morph in their roles from one game to the next.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't pigeon-hole any of them, but also get ready to hear their names plenty more in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='315098' first='Mickenzie' last='Atterberry']</strong> Silver Bluff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year at Aiken, Atterberrry threw for 1,109 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing 57 percent of his passes and rushed for another 131 yards and a score. And while he had two top-level receivers (who have also since departed), the Hornets were forced into a one-dimensional attack while often trailing by huge point totals. That won't be the case this year at Silver Bluff. The Bulldogs are stacked on both sides of the ball and Atterberry's numbers are going to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin']</strong> Barnwell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin's learning-curve year is over, and he's primed to take a significant leap forward after throwing for 878 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. The departure of 2,900-yard rusher Tyler J Smith and the addition of new head coach Brian Smith means the junior will be looking downfield more than last fall. Barnwell's schedule is a mix of difficult matchups and winnable games, meaning the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Austin is going to see a lot of different looks. If he cuts down on his eight interceptions, there's no telling what he could do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Bosket</strong> Ridge Spring-Monetta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With former defensive coordinator Jay Brannon taking over the program, the need for consistency is high at RSM. Enter Bosket, who last year added the position to his repertoire. The defensive back was an offensive bright spot, throwing for 669 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for another 503 and seven. He's a true dual-threat option leading an offense in a region where being multiple is key. He and tailback <strong>Deante Hopkins</strong> will provide the Trojans with an even more experienced backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby']</strong> Bamberg-Ehrhardt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All the promise that Crosby is showing is based on his size and arm strength, sure, but also in his accuracy. In throwing for 1,530 yards and 12 touchdowns last year and earning Class A All-State honors, he completed 74.8 percent of his 131 pass attempts. Crosby only threw three picks in 12 games last season. Now, point back to his 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame, and there are real signs that he could be the best pocket passer in all of Class A football this fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quan Edmond</strong> Strom Thurmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior just picked up two huge targets in [player_tooltip player_id='208338' first='Braylon' last='Staley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='771039' first='Demarius' last='Tolen'] (a pair of Aiken transfers). It's why most observers believe he's going to go above and beyond his 1,633 passing yards in 10 games last year. He was already someone who completed 64 percent of his passes and is bringing back tight end Jamarcus Stevens, also an all-state linebacker. Edmond can shed would-be tacklers who get beyond the line, so he should hit big numbers this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340388' first='Terrence' last='Smith']</strong> South Aiken&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith (pictured) recently gave his verbal commitment to UConn. And while the Huskies intend to convert him to receiver, it won't stop him from lighting up the stat packs for one more high school season at quarterbacks. Last year, Smith was one of just 11 players statewide to rush for more than 2,000 yards. He also threw for 921 yards, but those rushing yards are what make him a constant threat to score every play. After all, he had 28 rushing touchdowns last year alone and is hands down one of the fastest three players in the state, if not the fastest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->