Ready to Lead: Varsity QB Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a Prep Redzone annual subscription*</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the best parts of this job. Looking ahead at all the potential new athletes stepping into big varsity roles for their high school team. Athletes who have been putting in the work and biding their time. Now that time has come as things look to be lining up for them with graduation of several impactful seniors. We are going to go through a lot of the individual positions and talk about the kids I am excited to see have the chance to compete for starting jobs. We start with the field generals. The athletes who could take over the helm at QB1 for their teams. Get ready for these kids to make some noise this fall!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620338"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972aab50610f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The biggest shoes to fill are that of West De Pere's QB1 spot. They rostered the Player of the Year and the state's leader in TD passes for the past two seasons. Two seasons that led to a new career passing TD record in the state of WI. But nobody is expecting that to be replaced. The next QB1 for the Phantoms needs to come in and learn the system and execute it to his best abilities. WDP has a new head coach leading the team, so that could lead to changes to philosophies potentially.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The QB that looks to be next in line is [player_tooltip player_id='1620338' first='Morgan' last='Mertens']. Morgan has grown to 6'3" 180 lbs now and has developed the arm to execute a lot of the throws needed in the WDP offense. He can get outside the pocket, be accurate from the pocket or on the move, and he will have plenty of weapons around the offense to support his growth during the season. I'm very excited to watch Morgan take this job and leave his mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1632570"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972aab5061c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bay Port graduates quite possibly the most impactful athlete coming out of Bay Port. That leaves a massive dual threat void for the next man to step into. Of course we aren't expecting the next QB1 for the Pirates to do the things we saw over the past two years, but I'm thinking we will still see big things from the Bay Port QB position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next man up looks like it could be [player_tooltip player_id='1632570' first='Braydon' last='Maney']. The 2028 is an extremely athletic QB. Watching through his highlights vs the JV competition you see him stand out from the crowd. He is so explosive on the ground, flying through seams for huge gains. If Braydon can carry that vision, patience, and explosive athleticism while also finding his rhythm as a passer then he will be able to win the job and keep this Pirates offense rolling at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["998519"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972aab506230"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">JJ has seen some varsity action early in his high school career, but 2026 looks like it will be his time to completely own the QB1 position at Oak Creek. In 2025 we saw the Oak Creek QBs combine for 179 pass attempts. I'm excited to watch JJ own the job, lead his team, and really prove his next level talent over 9+ games in 2026. The physical talent is overflowing. The ball rips out of his hand with natural and effortless velocity when he needs to hit a window. His mechanics are refined from years of work. It is time to put it all together and show how he handles the live action and chaos that goes on around the QB on a weekly basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1192952"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972aab506297"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Racine Case had to use several QBs in 2025, including [player_tooltip player_id='1192952' first='Jayson' last='Jefferson']. Fast forward to today and the other QBs that he competed with are graduating, leaving the door open for him to step in and take the job for himself. The sophomore has the talent to get the job done, especially after a full offseason so that he can further grasp the playbook. Jayson will stand in the pocket and fire the ball around the field, and he will also break the back of the defense if they turn their backs to him because he can scramble effectively. I'm confident we will see a big step forward from Jayson. Keep an eye on him as he works towards his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1570860"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972aab5062fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Both the starting QB and 2nd leading passer for Kettle Moraine are 2026 graduates. That is leaving the door open for a new athlete to step up and take the helm. The athlete I have seen putting in the work to try and win that job is [player_tooltip player_id='1570860' first='Cooper' last='Walker']. The sophomore led the JV in 2025 where he put up 10 TDs through the air and 1 on the ground in 8 games. While Cooper is an undersized QB he is putting in the work to be at his best, working with QB coach Benji Kamrath this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On tape Cooper has shown he can get the ball downfield, but he is at his best when he can make quick throws to the short and intermediate levels of the field. 15 yards and in is where Cooper consistently can fire the ball into spots with accuracy and timing. I'm excited to see him earn the job.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Eli Ewerdt","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Waupun","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972aab506425"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most explosive, and balanced, offenses in WI will be looking for a new QB1. That is Waupun High School who had their QB1 put up 3000+ yards through the air in 2025. The new QB will have one key receiving weapon returning in 2025, but will mostly be working with a lot of other new starters across the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My pick for next man up would be sophomore Elijah Ewerdt. In 2025 the sophomore spent time at WR and DB, meaning there would be a dual threat that he could bring to the position. Watching him throw the ball grabs your attention too. The ball comes out of his hand with velocity that catches you off guard. He is a natural throwing the ball. It will be up to him to win the job and fully grasp the playbook so he can execute at a high level. The talent is in him to keep the Waupun offense rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Daniel Fox","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"212","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Westosha Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972aab50657d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Daniel actually already led the team in passing attempts in 2025, but it was by 2 attempts. Now is the year for Daniel to take over on his own after the graduation of the other QB in the room. Right off the bat, you can't ignore the prototypical frame from the sophomore. Daniel is technically raw, but he has an arm that opens up the majority of the field to the offense. He can move around on his feet to buy time, and I love that we see him going from target to target throughout his highlights. Daniel should have the job, so now is the time for him to lock in on his development. Fox could surprise a lot of people this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1571013"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972aab5065ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Edgewood graduates a talented signal caller this June, but it looks like they have their next man up at the position. [player_tooltip player_id='1571013' first='Jack' last='Lovell'] looks the part at 6'2" 205 lbs, and his highlights show off an arm that can attack every level of the field. Jack does well on designed rollouts, both with his athleticism and his accuracy on the move. I remember Jack performing well at summer camps last season too. He seems ready to make the step into the QB1 role. Lucky for the new QB1, Edgewood also returns one of the best downfield threats at WR for their new QB to target. Don't sleep on Jack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->