Best of the Best QBs: Week 2 Overview

Week two hit hard and fast on Thursday with several high-scoring clashes that produced major statistics and then continued on that trajectory through Friday night.   And, as expected, there were performances all over the board. On the one hand, we have the high-flying [player_tooltip player_id='733502' first='Banks' last='Bowen'], QB, Lawrence and Tulsa commit, who carried the Lions to a 69-56 victory over Junction City. Bowen, who is one of the state leaders in most QB stats so far this year, has been en fuego to say the least. In the first two games he has passed for 587 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 278 yards and three scores on the ground for an eye-popping 865 yards in two games.   On the other hand, we have snake-bit [player_tooltip player_id='1370888' first='Marco' last='Rodriguez'], QB, Bishop Miege, who has completed 53-89 passes for 616 yards and six touchdowns for the once-highly ranked Stags who are winless in 2024 and start the season 0-2. Miege fell to Blue Valley SW 40-33 after opening the season with a 44-28 loss to powerful St James. Miege is getting ready to roll up their sleeves Monday and try to right the ship.   And, as teams glide into the meat of the 2024 schedule, keep an eye on elite quarterbacks off to a great start on the top-ranked teams. They will soon have to figure out ways to accumulate stats early in the game. Once the games get lopsided, starters statewide will make way for the young guys, who will be gaining valuable experience for the playoffs. The result? Sometimes less than a couple of quarters of play. It's great to win, but it sure is a killer when it comes to stats...   This week my article schedule is as follows:   -Top QB's (Monday);   -Top RB's (Tuesday);   -Week 3 "Games of the Week" (Wednesday).   But, I digress, so without further adieu, let's dive into some of the other stellar QB performances. This week, I have divided the QB's into four groups:   Great Performance in a Loss:   [player_tooltip player_id='1112386' first='Dusty' last='Bannister'], QB, Wellington '25, once again he was in gunslinger mode in a loss, passing for 483 yards and piling up six total touchdowns in a high-scoring loss to top-ranked Andale 56-48. Bannister kept the Crusaders in the mix all game as the two teams matched touchdown drives throughout the first half to go into the break down 23-21. In the second half he continued firing and in the fourth quarter had his team up 41-40 before Andale rallied for the winning score. He is getting ready to rally the troops for a late-season push.   Outstanding Performances in a Win:   [player_tooltip player_id='868977' first='Keveon' last='Ruiz'], QB, Medicine Lodge, '25, the dual-threat playmaker delivered once again in week two, leading his team to a 48-10 bludgeoning of Chaparral. Ruiz dazzled with 229 yards and two touchdowns in the air, with 164 yards on a scant 11 carries and another three TD's. The multi-sport star is off to a great start in 2024, as he has passed for 617 yards and rushed for another 218 on the ground. He is right on the heels of the state leaders, so keep him in your sights.   [player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'], QB, Nemaha Central, '25, another dual-threat wrecking machine of a QB, who has taken off where he left last year as one of the state's OPOY and led the team to a big win over Silver Lake 35-7. Hajek brought his dominating style of play again this past Friday night, passing for 145 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another 175 yards and three TD's to get Nemaha back on track after absorbing a painful opening-day loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113458' first='Jordey' last='Pierce'], QB, Arkansas City '26, after a disappointing loss to Winfield in the season opener, Pierce rallied the troops Friday night for a thrilling 31-30 upset win over hot Salina Central. A 6'4 junior southpaw, he completed 30 of 49 passes for 361 yards and four TD's to bring the Bulldogs to 1-1 on the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1466120' first='Jack' last='Vilela'], QB, Columbus '25, has led his team to an undefeated start with a first-game win over Independence 45-28 and then knocked off Galena this past Friday 28-8. Along the way, the 6'2, 195 pound senior has been playing a hot hand, completing 24-33 for a sizzling 73% completion percentage and 408 yards. He has also thrown six TD's, no interceptions and sports a lofty 153 QBR.   Others of Note:   [player_tooltip player_id='611096' first='Aiden' last='Scott'], QB, Shawnee Heights '25, was 24-40 for 322 yards and a pair of TD's in an opening-day loss to Washburn Rural 42-21, but bounced back in week two to throw for 333 yards and three touchdowns and spark his team to a 53-8 victory over Topeka West. On the season he is 40 for 66 for 655 yards and five TD's for a solid 113 QBR.   [player_tooltip player_id='1398426' first='Keegan' last='Johnson'], QB, Holcomb '25, passed for 255 yards, including an 82-yard scoring strike, but took an an opening-day beat-down from defending state champ Cheney 38-7. He helped regroup the team in week two and the result was a big 34-13 win over Cimarron. In that game he was 16 out of 25 for 233 yards and three touchdowns to help get the Longhorns back in the win column.   Up-and-Coming Young Guns:   [player_tooltip player_id='1522503' first='Zac' last='Zimmerman'], QB, Wichita Trinity, '27, led his team to a big win over Inman 25-6 on Friday. Zimmerman has come out of the chute red hot this year, completing 42 out 58 passes for 504 yards, and a 72% completion percentage. He has also zipped three TD passes, has not thrown a pick yet in 2024 and has a glistening 116.0 QBR.   Jerrick Humphreys, QB, Hesston '27, he qualified for two of the categories in this report and was able to rally the troops for a final score in a key win over Hoisington 28-24, showing his significant potential as a sophomore QB, throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yard touchdown strike.   In conclusion, the Sunflower State has some of the best quarterback play in the nation, get out and see these guys while you still can. And, as always, if you know of anyone flying under the radar feel free to reach out to CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

Week two hit hard and fast on Thursday with several high-scoring clashes that produced major statistics and then continued on that trajectory through Friday night.