Top QB Playmakers Across the State: Week 3

Week 3 was here before we knew it and in typical Sunflower-state fashion it came in with a nasty meteorological curveball, as quarterbacks across the state persevered through monsoon rain, gusting winds and lightening storms. It was bad enough in many locations to delay games and in some cases the games were cancelled altogether.   And, even though most QB's would prefer not to play in torrential rain or endure tornadic wind conditions, they realize by now that crazy-Kansas weather is a given this time of year and as an elite QB, you either transcend the distraction and triumph, or allow it to undermine your game and drag the team down in the process.   In this report we will take a look at how some of the top quarterbacks in the state performed in the weather in week #3. As you will see, most of the standout players below were not going to be stopped, regardless of the other team's best-laid plans or how imposing mother nature's thunderbolts happened to be.   But before we jump into week 3 highlights, just a quick reminder of my posting schedule for this week:   -Monday (Posted Yesterday) - Week 3 "Games of the Week" Overview   -Tuesday (Today) - Top QB's in Week 3   -Wednesday (Tomorrow) - Top RB's in Week 3   -Thursday - Week 4 "Games of the Week" Preview   But, enough of schedules and related administrative chatter, it's time to take a look at the best of the best. So, without further adieu, I bring you some of the top QB's in the state from week 3. Apex-level QB's are listed below in five different categories.   Surgical Precision (Elite ball placement & accuracy):   -[player_tooltip player_id='1112380' first='Corey' last='Crumrine'], Sedgwick '25, was exceptional last week in leading his team to a 47-0 rout over Herington. The senior sharpshooter piled up six total TD's in that game, completing 16 of 17 passes for 257 yards and five touchdowns through the air and added another TD on the ground. Crumrine hooked up with multi-positional teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1115726' first='Dallas' last='Lagree'] early and often, who hauled in eight passes for 134 yards and a couple of TD's. Last year Crumrine passed for 3,000+ yards and is on pace for that kind of season again, going 52 for79 in three games for just under 700 yards, 10 TD's and only a single pick.   -[player_tooltip player_id='1112371' first='Jack' last='Gordon'], Salina Central '25, was also incredibly efficient in the precision passing game last week, completing a perfect 8 for 8 through the air for 216 yards and five touchdowns to four different receivers as Central thumped Campus 48-0. He didn't get as much play as he normally would since the game got out of hand, so who knows what his stat line would have looked like going all four quarters. On the season Gordon is off to a sizzling start, going 47-74 for 729 yards and 11 TD's, with zero interceptions.   -[player_tooltip player_id='1113368' first='Daxton' last='Minton'], Great Bend '26, led his team to a win over a strong Buhler team 43-26 last Friday and was incredibly efficient along the way, firing five touchdown passes to junior wideout, [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], the top-ranked player in the 2026 class. On the year, Minton is off to a good start, leading his team to an unbeaten record, while completing 33 out of 57 passes for 498 yards and seven TD's. The Great Bend offense is getting better with every game.     Triple Threat Playmakers: (Old-school ballers doing a little bit of everything):   -[player_tooltip player_id='716132' first='Eli' last='Jones'], Norton '25, a 6'2, 215 pound dynamic playmaker who has led his team to an unbeaten record to start the 2024 season. This past Friday he accounted for seven total TD's as top-ranked Norton hammered Smith Center 54-22. Jones was 9 of 18 through the air for 185 yards and four scores. On the ground he carried the ball 13 times for 140 yards and two more TD's as he continued to make his case as one of the top multi-threat quarterbacks in the state.   -[player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'], Nemaha Central '25, last year's offensive player of the year has picked up where he left off in 2023. In Friday's close win over Rossville 31-28, he was the difference, scrambling for 170 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and fired a touchdown pass in the win. On the season he has piled up 785 yards running and passing and accounted for six touchdowns to go to 2-1 on the season.     Remember the Alamo! (Heroic efforts in a tough loss):   -[player_tooltip player_id='733502' first='Banks' last='Bowen'], Lawrence '25, dropped a heartbreaker to Olathe North last week, but the Tulsa-commit left it all on the gridiron, completing 36 out of 60 passes for 413 yards and added 102 yards rushing on only 13 attempts with three scores. After three games Bowen leads the state with 1,380 total yards and 13 touchdowns. He is averaging a staggering 460 total yards per game so far in 2024. This kid has a great all-around game and is really taking it to the next level in 2024.   -[player_tooltip player_id='611096' first='Aiden' last='Scott'], Shawnee Heights '26, also lost a nail-biter last week, 42-35 to a strong Basehor-Linwood team. On the night, Scott passed for just under 300 yards and three touchdowns but came up short. On the season he has displayed his considerable arm talent, going 61-105 for 918 yards and eight TD's. I have a feeling he is just getting warmed up - future opponents you have been vaguely warned...   -[player_tooltip player_id='1202586' first='Tyson' last='Beashore'], St. James Academy '25, did all he could but SJA came up short against Blue Valley NW, losing 24-21. On the night Beashore made things difficult for Northwest, completing 24 out of 31 passes for 300 yards and two TD's, and added 100 yards on 11 carries and a score on the ground. On the season he has ran and passed for just under 900 yards in his first three games as SJA enters week four.     Encore Seasons In-Process (Returning all-state QBs off to sizzling starts):   -[player_tooltip player_id='282258' first='Tate' last='McNew'], Maize South '25, was one of the best in the state last year and is off and running on a great encore season leading his team to an unblemished record through three games. This past week they won a tight one over Valley Center 10-7 to move to 3-0. On the year McNew is 53 out of 78 for 803 yards passing, 101 yards rushing and has accounted for 12 touchdowns and a goose egg when it comes to interceptions. Last year he accounted for a staggering 45 touchdowns. Don't be surprised if eclipses that this fall.   -[player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'], Eisenhower '25, has led his team to a 3-0 record right out of the gate and has been red-hot in all three games. Last week they clobbered Newton 49-7. On the year Morgan is 39-53 for 757 yards and a 74% completion percentage. He has also thrown nine TD passes and is flying along with a 147 quarterback rating so far in 2024. The Lehigh-commit has one of the most accurate arms in the state and with a strong running game this offense will be hard to stop.   -[player_tooltip player_id='570171' first='Josh' last='Burdick'], Cheney '25, this past week they throttled a strong Garden Plain squad 41-7 to move to 3-0. On the year Burdick has continued to play at an elite level, completing 40 out of 56 passes for 634 yards with a 71% completion percentage and a lofty 129 quarterback rating. He has also been a threat on the ground, picking up 130 yards and scoring a pair of touchdowns. He has an elite-level game that wide-open college teams are looking for.   -[player_tooltip player_id='1333007' first='Jace' last='Jefferson'], Andover Central '25, hit the ground running to start the season and has continued to play at an all-state level in leading AC to an unbeaten record and consensus #1 ranking in class 4A. This past week they dismantled a tough Ark City team 56-17, as Jefferson passed for 243 yards and three scores. On the season he has completed 40 of 58 passes for 622 yards and nine TD's for a sparkling 137 quarterback rating.   -[player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'], Wichita NW '26, has had significant D1 interest already in his short career and has led NW to a strong 3-0 start after topping Junction City 43-30 last week. In that game he rushed for 142 yards and two scores and passed for another 101 yards and a TD. Mason is very effective using the powerful NW running attack to set up play action and attack vertically.     Young Guns: (Rising stars already putting up stat lines as a FR/SOPH starters)   -Zac Zimmerman, Wichita Trinity '27, is flying under the radar as a sophomore starter but that is already changing as the young gunslinger has erupted for 940 passing yards, going 80 for 108 for an impressive 74% completion percentage in his first three games. He has also thrown eight touchdown passes and is zipping along with an effective 117 quarterback rating. This past week in a loss to Kingman he threw for 400+ yards and five TD's. The future is bright for Trinity with this kid taking snaps.   -[player_tooltip player_id='1113114' first='Luke' last='Stewart'], Council Grove '27, another low rider on the radar front who is making noise as a sophomore starter. This past week he led his team to a 50-13 win over Mission Valley. On the season he is 37 of 61 for 551 yards and five touchdowns as his excellent play gives Council Grove fans hope for coming seasons.     In conclusion, high school QB's come in all shapes, sizes and all have their own twist on skill sets and athleticism. We are fortunate here in Kansas to have access to a wide range of exceptional QB play each week, so get out and see them perform their magic while you still can! And, as usual, if you want to pass on a player or team flying under the radar, fell free to reach out to CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

Week 3 was here before we knew it and in typical Sunflower-state fashion it came in with a nasty meteorological curveball, as quarterbacks across the state persevered through monsoon rain, gusting winds and lightening storms. It was bad enough in many locations to delay games and in some cases the games were cancelled altogether.