Crist was a first-year starter taking the reins for a defending champion — which is about as tough a spot as you can be in — but you’d never know it watching him out there. Crist only threw it 11 times, but he went 7-of-11 for 222 yards and 3 passing TDs — that’s not “steady,” that’s backbreaking. He never looked rattled, never looked like he was forcing it, and you could tell he trusted what he was seeing: if Arcadia gave him a window, he took it, and if they busted a coverage for even a second, it turned into points. And it wasn’t just the deep ball either — he added a rushing TD to finish off a key drive too, so it wasn’t all fireworks from distance. That’s what makes it feel unfair: the volume wasn’t huge, but the damage was. One minute it’s a game, the next minute you’re looking up and wondering how this one got away.

When you talk about a player who’s not the biggest, not the fastest, but still manages to capture everyone’s attention, you’re describing Jaidyn Crist Jaidyn Crist 6'0" | 155 lbs | QB Mica Mountain | 2026 AZ to a tee. This young QB showed up with a rock-solid skill set — his footwork is crisp, his release is quick, and his passes just have that easy catchability that coaches crave. But what really made me sit up and take notice is how coachable he is. Every time he got feedback, he’d nod, absorb it, and then immediately incorporate those pointers into his next rep. That willingness to learn goes a long way in a pressure environment like this, especially when you’re surrounded by bigger, stronger guys. Yet, Jaidyn never backed down. On rollouts, he used his lighter frame to his advantage, showing agility and a knack for placing the ball exactly where it needs to be. Stepping into a leading role at Mica Mountain fresh off a state championship, he’s got every intangible you’d want in a quarterback, plus the hunger to keep growing.