Sub-State Quarterbacks: Passer Rating Performances

The elite quarterbacks still standing are waking up today ready to face their biggest challenge to date.   Tonight there will be 24 teams and 12 games in 11-man play, that will battle it out to determine who will go toe-to-toe for the state championship next week.   In a few hours these teams will suit up and take the field that will be the last stage in the post-season championship gauntlet for the teams that fall.   Two teams enter. One team moves on...   And, controlling the throttle for the teams that emerge victorious, will in most cases come down to championship quarterback play. The QB's who can rise to the occasion and roll out a dominating performance when their team needs it the most.   In this report, we will take a closer look at the top quarterbacks who will be playing tonight, with emphasis on the guys with the highest passer ratings by classification. By stratifying the remaining QB's by passer rating it takes into consideration more than the total passing yards stat that is most commonly used to rate QB play in high school.   As a reminder, the "Passer Rating" at the high school and college levels is based on a formula that takes into consideration: completion percentage, yards/attempts, TD's/attempts, and interception percentage; with a top-end number of 158.3. Anything above 105.0 is considered elite.   As a comparison, at the NFL level the QBR (Quarterback Passer Rating), is based on a 0-100 scale and utilizes a complex algorithm that rolls in numerous factors. In the QBR calculation, 50.0 is considered an average score.   Additionally, this report is based off stats available in Max Prep and anything else available on-line. The good news is that approx. 70% of the sub-state teams consistently provide team and individual stats. The other 30%, include a handful of some of the top coaches in the state, so far be it from me to pass judgement on their protocol, but it certainly diminishes the exposure their players enjoy and can use for next-step purposes/networking.   I get it. It's a team sport. Individual accolades should take a back-seat. And, I understand playing your cards close to the vest. I didn't have time for scouts and reporters when I was coaching and looking back I realize that isn't always the best approach.   But, I digress, let's take a look at some of the best QB's in the state on the verge of greatness...who we are aware of.   6A   [player_tooltip player_id='354613' first='Drew' last='Kemp'], 6'0, 185, Derby, '25, is at the top of the passing pinnacle with a jaw-dropping passer rating of 153.0. He has led Derby to an 11-0 record and even with limited playing time due to the Panthers pounding the competition all year, has put up some superb numbers. Leading up to sub-state he completed 87 of 115 passes for a 76% completion percentage, 1,426 yards, 24 TD passes and only one pick. He also picked up 517 yards rushing to give him just under 2,000 total yards and 34 total TD's. He is going to need to bring his A-game this week against powerful Manhattan.   Speaking of the Indians, Kemp will be dueling with another efficient passer in dual-threat [player_tooltip player_id='1112377' first='Carter' last='Aslin'], 6'0, 180, QB, Manhattan '25, who has amped up his passing this year to go along with his already dangerous ground game. On the year he completed 72 of 120 passes for a 61% completion percentage, 1,318 yards, 12 TD's, five picks and a sparkling passer rating of 114.0. On the ground he kept defenses on their heels with 1,293 yards rushing on 128 carries, a 10.1 average and 22 scores to give him 2,600+ yards and 34 TD's so far this year. This is going to be quite the QB-duel.   [player_tooltip player_id='1112369' first='Tate' last='Nagy'], 5'10, 175, BVW '25, was the other 6A QB in elite passer-rating territory and terrorized opposing teams while building that stat line. On the year he completed 167 of 237 passes for a 71% completion percentage, 2,343 yards, 25 TD's and eight picks for a sizzling passer rating of 123.0. The dual-threat magician added 482 yards rushing and six scores to give him just under 3,000 total yards and 31 touchdowns. He will need every trick in his bag this week when BVN rolls into defending state-champ Gardner Edgerton territory.     5A   [player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'], 6'3, 195, QB, '25, the Eisenhower sharpshooter has put together one of the best seasons in the state and so far has the second-best passer rating behind Kemp with an incredible 142.0 rating. On the year he completed 141 passes in 207 attempts for a 68% completion percentage, 2,724 yards, 38 TD's and four interceptions. He added 217 yards rushing to give him just under 3,000 yards and an eye-popping 47 total touchdowns. One step closer to an over-the-top season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1202586' first='Tyson' last='Beashore'], 6'2, 195, QB, SJA '26, has made up for lost time after missing action earlier in the year and has sparked SJA to just a stone's throw from competing for the state championship. His passer rating is currently 112.0 based on completing 116 of 176 passes for a 66% completion percentage, 1,462 yards, 13 touchdowns to only four picks in only seven games. With powerful Aquinas on the horizon he will need to continue his playmaker ways to give his team a shot.     4A   [player_tooltip player_id='1333007' first='Jace' last='Jefferson'], is coming off another exceptional game and for the year has not only led his team to a 10-1 record but a pristine 115.0 passer rating in the process. This past week he and his 'mates set a school record, scoring 58 points on a red-hot Wellington team. Even with limited reps at times since Andover Central trampled most of their schedule, he still completed 139 of 229 passes for a 61% completion percentage, 2,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and only seven picks. He has been a consistent baller all year and leads one of the most dynamic offenses in the state.     3A   [player_tooltip player_id='934979' first='Pete' last='Dorsey'], 6'0, 165, QB, Wellsville '27 is a dynamic young-gun signal caller who fine-tuned his pass game this year and has posted an elite-level 118.0 passer rating so far. Although missing a few games earlier, he still completed 54 of 93 passes for 878 yards and nine touchdowns to only one pick. He also added 396 yards rushing and nine scores to give him just under 1,300 total yards and 18 TD's. In his absence, Micah Holmes, 5'10, 155, QB, '25, stepped up and maintained the high passer rating the team was accustomed to when Dorsey was behind the center, by completing 36 of 51 passes for a stellar 71% completion percentage, five TD's and only two picks for an excellent 112.0 rating.   2A   [player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'], 6'0, 210, ATH, Nemaha '25, the reigning player of the year and resident defense destroyer has once again gone scorched earth on the competition with an incredible 47 total touchdowns and just under 3,000 total yards. On the season he was also very much on top of things in the passing game, completing 77 of 124 passes for a 62% completion percentage, 966 yards and 11 TD's to only three picks for a top-notch 106.0 passer rating. On the ground he blew up defenders all year, carrying the mail an astonishing 290 times for 1,966 yards and 35 TD's. He is going to be a handful tonight for visiting Council Grove.   1A   Tayson Horack, 5'10, 165, QB/DB, Rossville '25, stepped up big last week in the sectional win with a clutch 350-yard, five-TD performance, and has been delivering like that all year. To date he has completed 86 of 147 passes for a 60% completion percentage, fired 12 touchdown passes and only suffered five picks for an exceptional passer rating of 113.0. He was also a force in the ground game, rushing 130 times for 1,000+ yards and 15 scores. On the season so far he has piled up 2,400 total yards and 31 touchdowns. He is going to need to step up in a big-time way to give his team a shot at moving on.   In conclusion, you're running out of time if you want to catch some of the best football in the state. If you can't make it tonight, your last few options are next week in either Hutchinson for the lower classes, or Emporia for the larger classifications. Greensburg will host 8-man. And, as always, give me a shout if you know of any teams or players flying under the radar, give me a shout via DM on X.

The elite quarterbacks still standing are waking up today ready to face their biggest challenge to date.