Senior QBs; Projected First Year Starters and Position Battles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the second part of my two-part series on senior QBs. Here, I will dive into the lesser-known players, first year starters and those that will be in a fight for the starting spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Projected First Year Starters</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1811573"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2209175,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a05f59a6bf1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watkins spent his junior season as a Swiss army knife, playing some QB, Wide Receiver and Free Safety. He is an exceptional athlete that can make plays and convert something out of nothing. As of right now, he looks to be the player to lead the Bulldogs in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513356"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2209172,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a05f59a6bf8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his sophomore season, Rhodes played in a two QB system led by dual threat, Kalaugn Ford. Ford has graduated and has opened the door for CoTrell to lead the Macks back to the Sectional playoffs. Rhodes is more of the pocket passer type with the ability to move around. With the weapons around him, I expect Rhodes to have a solid senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1734382"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2209168,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a05f59a6c003"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I expected Plath to make a big debut in 2025, but Sweet Home went with a senior with more varsity experience. He did pick up some garbage time last year as he displayed his strong arm and ability to find his open receivers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701908"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2209170,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a05ff063fb6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first saw Lindstrom play at the JV level in 2024 and he showed a tremendous skill set. He has poise in the pocket and able to read defenses accurately. Last year's starter [player_tooltip player_id='1364052' first='Matteo' last='Brusco'] has graduated and both of their JV QBs have transferred. The stage is set for Nate to show what he has at the varsity level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Position Battles</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For St. Joe's, Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1811553' first='Brayden' last='Manns'] will begin the season as their QB1 as he was their passing leader in a two-QB system in 2025. But junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1864270' first='Jonah' last='Elsenheimer'] is returning from injury and may challenge Manns for reps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Mary's in Lancaster has 4 QBs that could possibly be the catalyst that turns their program around. Last year's starter Thomas Frazier IV will battle fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1513214' first='Luke' last='Nowak'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1811597' first='Jack' last='Gorman'] as well as newly transferred sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1639406' first='Vincenzo' last='Mullett'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bennett Tigers change signal callers quite a bit over the last few years. The front runner this season will be senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561156' first='DJ' last='Williams'] but he may be pushed by rising sophomore K'leon McMickens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->