Top QB Performances From Week One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which peach-state QBs went off in round one of the playoffs?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've got updates stats and notes on Prep Redzone...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='364178' first='Dylan' last='Raiola'] - Buford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While he didn't exactly light up the stat sheet in the yards department, the 5-star QB was phenomenal in his first playoff game at Buford, leading the Wolves to a big 50-0 win over Wheeler. The future Georgia Bulldog was as efficient as it gets and made sure his big-time weapons each touched the ball. Raiola was a near-perfect 12/15 for 229 yards and four touchdowns. He hit 5-star receiver [player_tooltip player_id='137438' first='KJ' last='Bolden'] deep twice down the field in the big win. Raiola is a big-armed quarterback, but he can also move a little bit, adding a rushing touchdown in addition to his four touchdown passes all in the first half. Raiola has now thrown for 30 touchdowns and zero INTs this season with hopes of leading the Wolves to another state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='137483' first='Jeremy' last='Hecklinski'] - Walton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top QBs across the state of Georgia, Hecklinski continued his excellent play into the first round of the playoffs, slinging the ball up and down the field for the Raiders in a massive 66-7 victory. He connected on several touchdown passes in the first quarter, and before you knew it, Walton had the game won early on. The Wake Forest commitment had great protection and was accurate down the field from the very beginning. The found tight end [player_tooltip player_id='309600' first='Hunter' last='Teal'] multiple times in the end-zone and will likely look his way more and more as the playoffs continue. In total, Hecklinski was 11/12 for 206 yards and 5 TDs. On the season, Hecklinski has accounted for 2725 total yards, 35 TDs, 1 int , and is the leading passer in 7A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='206164' first='Julian' last='Lewis'] - Carrollton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As far as monster games go, nobody had a bigger game then sophomore sensation, [player_tooltip player_id='206164' first='Julian' last='Lewis']. The 5-star prospect and No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 class had a game for the ages in a round one win over Harrison. Leading the Trojans to a comfortable 54-14 victory, Lewis was an outstanding 15/19 for 435 yards and a school-record 7 touchdown passes. He showed off his elite arm talent, launching the ball accurately down the field throughout the game. He read the defense, stood firm in the pocket, and let it rip. He's now thrown for 41 touchdowns and just one INT this season, and he's doing it as a sophomore. He's clearly one of the best quarterbacks across the country, and he showed why on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='165716' first='Jake' last='Merklinger'] - Calvary Day</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top senior quarterback from Savannah, Merklinger is committed to play for the Tennessee Volunteers at the next level, and it was easy to see why on Friday night. The playmaking, big-armed quarterback was perfect in round one. Perfect. In a big 48-0 win over Jackson, Merklinger was 13/13 for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He didn't miss. His accuracy and ability to push the ball downfield was on full display. As a senior, Merklinger wants to end his career as a state champion, and he's well on his way to doing it if he continues his tremendous play. On the season, the four-star has thrown for 2,144 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for 303 yards and 7 mo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->