Wichita-Area QB's: the MPA Grind

This past Saturday I joined the athletes and coaches at Bethel College in Newton, KS to take a look at some of the local quarterback talent in the Wichita area going through a training season with Midwest Passing Academy (MPA).   Coach Brad Cagle, former Southwestern College standout QB and now Quarterbacks Coach & Pass Game Coordinator at Bethel College, has been running MPA long enough to have developed quite a following throughout the Midwest.   This past Saturday, QB's from six different schools along with a host of high school, junior college and NAIA receivers were on hand to go through the fast-paced learning/training session.   One of the areas of elite QB training and the way the drills were laid out that I thought was top-level was working on ball placement. All young QB's with live arms have to work through a phase I call throwing "at an area". The QB drops back, makes his reads and at the last split-second flips his eyes to the target and fires away. This results in passes that get close to the receiver but are usually not always "perfect passes".   The secret is the eyes. Accuracy and ball placement are in the eyes. The ball will go where you focus your eyes. Throw to an "area" - like the approximate area where you see the receiver running - and it will arrive in that general area. However, if you really lock your eyes in on a specific target to hit - for instance, locking in on the receiver's face mask or number - your eyes will guide your arm where to direct a pin-point throw.   Even after the ball is released, maintain your focus on what you intended to hit, just like you do your follow through on arm motion. It takes work but you will be very accurate. But you have to really focus your eyes - eyeball it all the way until the ball is in your receivers hands. Don't try and look cool after your throw, or make everything a no-look, Mahomes pass...remember your fundamentals.   Coach Cagle's session worked the QB's and receivers in rapid-fire fashion, challenging them to make throws from different platforms and launch angles, out of the RPO, bootlegs, sprint outs, drop backs, etc and helping them make the short surgical strike passes and then turn around and have to make the deep out throw that requires elite velocity. All with pin-point accuracy in mind.   He did a great job using positive reinforcement but always being quick to offer suggestions for fine-tuning their skills. It is a nice balance of giving credit where credit is due but at the same time helping them maintain a positive trajectory.   If you are a young gun in the making, look him up, he'll take your game to the next level.   So, without further adieu, here is a look at six QB's who were impressive at the training event:   [player_tooltip player_id='352451' first='Aiden' last='Heckathorn'], Derby. '25. A transfer to Derby from Mulvane who will be driving hard for significant playing time this fall, even with an already crowded quarterback room. He is coming off a good junior campaign where he directed the Mulvane offense with his big arm and athleticism. He was impressive Saturday making throws at all levels. He throws a heavy, pin-point short pass that gets there in a hurry, even hitting one receiver in the cheekbone on a short out. He has good size and stands strong in the pocket and with his solid passing mechanics and compact throwing motion he gets rid of the ball quickly. He is a dual threat quarterback who is athletic and can extend plays with his legs. He also appears to process information efficiently, moving through progressions and reading defenses quickly. He has all the tools to be a standout, 2024 is going to be a breakout year.   [player_tooltip player_id='904445' first='Zane' last='Viegra'], Hays. '26. I featured him in a recent article discussing the potential of the Hays passing game this fall, as he will be throwing to one of the best receivers in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='283949' first='Jarek' last='Purdy']. The two will be looking to light things up this fall. An athletic dual-threat quarterback with good size and quickness, he has a good arm that he has been fine-tuning in the off-season with MPA. His ball placement on the deep velocity throws is still being perfected, but his mechanics are solid, snapping the ball off with a quick release. He throws well on the move, whether on the broken play or in the RPO. This kid is a playmaker and has a top-end receiver to really take things to the next level this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='856864' first='Pearce' last='George'], Maize. '27. A young gun QB being groomed in a great environment, he has used his time well staying busy perfecting his craft at every opportunity. He has steadily shown the football world what he can do, piling up 1,700+ yards and 23 touchdowns, with only three picks in the last 11 games he has played. An athletic gun slinger of a QB he has a smooth delivery with a tight shoulder rotation, but can also throw off platform or from different arm angles as needed. He has a strong arm for his age and can make all the throws from the long touch ball down the seams to the bullet pass over the middle. He throws with a lot of touch and doesn't try to over power the ball or force it into low-probability windows. Get this kid on your watch list.   [player_tooltip player_id='908623' first='Micah' last='Fiscus'], Wichita West. '25. After a breakthrough season a year ago when he was Honorable Mention All-Conference after passing for just under 600 yards and five touchdowns, including a long of 71 yards. He throws the football well on the run and has excellent touch on the long pass. I was impressed with his throwing motion and ball placement on the short passes. He is making significant progress on his throwing motion and mechanics since joining Coach Cagle and MPA. He is getting ready to surprise some people in the City League this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1347133' first='Max' last='Olson'], 6'1, 200, El Dorado - '26. He is coming off a solid sophomore season as a three-way player who will be guiding the El Dorado offense this fall while also playing linebacker, handling kicking duties and supporting special team activities. He has good size and athleticism and is finetuning his arm this summer with MPA. He runs the option well and excels in the RPO game. He throws well on the move and making the quick short passes. He continues to improve his deep game and will be poised and ready to catapult El Dorado to the next level this fall.   Tristan Wasser, 6'0, 175, Belle Plaine - '25. Another small-school signal caller working hard in the off season to have a breakout senior season. Although still working on his mechanics, he has a good arm and is capable of making all the throws. He is an athletic, multi-sport, multi-positional player who made a number of top-notch throws Saturday and showed the significant skills he is bringing to the table. This fall is going to be a breakout season for his QB play. Get out and see him excel under the Friday Night Lights.   In conclusion, get out and see these guys this fall. Additionally, if you know of any players "flying under the radar" please feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

This past Saturday I joined the athletes and coaches at Bethel College in Newton, KS to take a look at some of the local quarterback talent in the Wichita area going through a training season with Midwest Passing Academy (MPA).