Multiple Sophomore Quarterbacks off to a Hot Start in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a great week for Virginia quarterbacks in Week 1, with multiple signal-callers standing out all over the state. Four players in particular, though, caught my eye last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a quick breakdown of what they accomplished in their first games of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290145"],"_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-6a9867c87f6a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1290145' first='Lord' last='Malik Heru'] absolutely exploded in his first game of the 2026 season, finishing with six total touchdowns on the day in a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/week-1-smackdown-indian-river-explodes-in-91-6-win-over-granby/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/week-1-smackdown-indian-river-explodes-in-91-6-win-over-granby/">91-6 rout of Granby</a> last Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He continues to show top-tier arm talent and movement skills in the passing game and has displayed enough overall athleticism to beat defenses with his legs as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heru and Indian River's next game is on September 11th against Great Bridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2120036"],"_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-6a9867c87f70a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2120036' first='Aiden' last='Fulton'] looked excellent against Bell Multicultural last week, completing 73% of his passes for 306 yards and 4 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He showed off his massive arm in the win, completing multiple beautifully placed deep balls near the sideline in the 57-8 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fulton also looked unfazed in the face of pressure all night long, standing tall in the pocket and delivering some nice throws in the middle of the field as well. I can't wait to see how he performs against North Cross in Week 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1398086"],"_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-6a9867c87f746"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1398086' first='Colton' last='Dabkowski'] may not be the biggest quarterback in the 2029 class, but he certainly didn't let size stop him from dominating Independence in Week 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He scored four touchdowns (two through the air and two on the ground) in Woodgrove's big win. Dabkowski completed multiple crazy off-platform throws under pressure, and he looked like a legitimate running back when he decided to tuck it and run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dabkowski's undoubtedly going to be one of the more exciting 2029 quarterbacks to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2143690"],"_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-6a9867c87f77c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2143690' first='Maddox' last='Noles'] had a lot of hype entering the 2026 season, and he definitely delivered in Week 1. He combined for five touchdowns, three through the air and two on the ground, in a statement win over North Stafford.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noles worked incredibly hard on his craft this offseason, and there's no doubt in my mind that he'll have more of these types of performances in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Battlefield is set to face Mountainview tomorrow night (9/3) at 7:00 pm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->