No performance on Championship Friday was more impactful than Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ ‘s. He finished 10 of 15 for 88 yards and a touchdown, and added 35 rushing yards on 10 carries with another score. But the numbers only tell part of the story.

Best completely changed the identity of St. Joe’s offense. His ability to extend plays, buy time, and threaten defenses with his legs made St. Joe’s look like a different team compared to earlier in the season. Don Bosco had prepared for Mason Geis Mason Geis 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ the first time around, but facing a fully healthy Best in the championship left them off balance all night.

Whenever St. Joe’s needed a drive extended or a spark created, Best delivered. He pushed the ball downfield when called on, picked up key first downs with his legs, and punched in a crucial rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

His dual-threat impact was the difference, and it played a pivotal role in St. Joe’s capturing the Non-Public A state championship.

Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ played one of his most complete games of the season. Fresh off his decommitment from Delaware, he looked fully healthy and fully locked in. He added a crucial rushing touchdown and finished with 35 yards on 10 carries, giving St. Joe’s a true dual-threat element.

As a passer, he pushed the ball downfield with confidence. He hit Stalin Knowlden Stalin Knowlden 5'7" | 145 lbs | ATH St. Joseph Regional | 2027 State NJ on a 35-yard scramble-drill touchdown and later drew a key pass interference on another deep shot that set up scoring position.

Best’s ability to run and throw changed the entire dynamic of St. Joe’s offense — a completely different look from the first meeting with Don Bosco. His impact helped lift St. Joe’s to a 24–21 win and the Non-Public A championship.

Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ earns the “Most Likely to Bounce Back” superlative after a promising season was cut short by a shoulder injury. The St. Joe’s Regional quarterback leaped from Willingboro to North Jersey and immediately proved he belonged. Before his injury, he was one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the state, putting his team in a position to win with both his arm and legs.

Now, entering his senior year, the question is how his play style will evolve. Will St. Joe’s continue to use him heavily in the designed run game, exposing him to hits? Or will they lean more on his passing ability and let him distribute the ball to his talented playmakers? His ability to stay healthy could be key to St. Joe’s contending with Bergen Catholic.

Despite last year’s setback, Best earned Division I offers from Delaware State and Tulane. If he returns to his pre-injury form, there’s no reason he can’t lead St. Joe’s to a championship push and solidify himself as one of the top quarterbacks in New Jersey.

Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ had St. Joe’s Regional firing on all cylinders before a season-ending shoulder injury derailed his year. As he returns, the question is: Can he finally lead St. Joe’s past Bergen Catholic and capture a state title?

Best is the top dual-threat quarterback in New Jersey, impacting both the passing and running game at an elite level. However, durability becomes a concern with his size and aggressive rushing style. For St. Joe’s to make a deep playoff run, they may need to limit his carries and keep him fresh for the long haul.

To add to the challenge, he’ll have to adjust without his top target, Mekhi Rosignol. This pressures players like Brady Schust and Nate Bailey Nate Bailey 5'8" | 175 lbs | ATH St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ to become reliable weapons.

Coach Augie Hoffman has a proven track record of developing talent and building strong offensive schemes. It’s up to Best to stay healthy, elevate his supporting cast, and take St. Joe’s to the top.

Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ made a big jump this year, transferring from Willingboro to powerhouse St. Joe’s Regional. Standing at 6 feet, 175 pounds, Lamar is a true dual-threat quarterback. He showcased that ability early, with St. Joe’s dialing up plenty of designed runs. He hits the hole with a burst and demonstrates surprising contact balance for his size, often picking up extra yards after contact.

One standout trait is his ball-handling skills. In St. Joe’s offense, he executed a variety of handoffs, read-option fakes, and deceptive movements. Lamar kept defenses guessing, giving the same look whether running or passing. His ability to maximize his playmakers through fakes was a key part of his success.

Lamar excelled as a passer in throwing outside the numbers, particularly off-play action. He’s comfortable turning his back to the defense, resetting, and delivering accurate throws. His deep ball was another strength, especially when the offense needed a big play.

However, if Lamar continues to rely on designed runs, he must add size. Getting bigger and stronger will help him absorb the punishment for his playing style. His injury this season underscores the importance of building durability.

Despite missing time, Lamar proved why he’s one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in New Jersey. He earned offers from Delaware State and Temple, solidifying his place among the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class.

After transferring from Willingboro to St. Joseph, Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ impressed as one of the top duel threat quarterbacks in the state. Lamar has an absolute cannon of an arm. With minimal effort, Lamar can launch the ball easily 40+ yards to hit his receiver in stride. Not only can he outthrow any coverage and take advantage of man to man, but Lamar has shown great deep ball accuracy and ball placement by avoiding the defender in coverage and preventing the pass from being up for grabs.

What makes Lamar the most dangerous is his scramble ability. The play is never dead when the ball is in Lamar’s hands, as he can dip in and out of the pocket and use agile movements to avoid the pass rushers and either square up for a downfield throw or take off with it. Either way, there’s a strong chance Lamar is going to do some damage to the defense. There were countless examples last season where there was immediate pressure in the backfield and Lamar reacted to quickly make a huge gain with his legs. He was able to find the end zone 7 times on the ground last season due to situations like that. Lamar now has offers from Temple, Marshall and Delaware, but if he continues playing as he has, we should more come through not only this offseason but through the 2025 season too.

Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ has been the most impressive New Jersey quarterback this season. After transferring from Willingboro to St. Joe’s Regional, Best has thrived on a bigger platform, proving he can dominate against top-tier competition. Stepping into the Super Conference, he hasn’t missed a beat. Best has consistently delivered explosive plays, both through the air and on the ground.

What stands out about Best is his dual-threat ability. He’s added a dynamic downfield passing game for St. Joe’s while also being a force in the red zone. With multiple games where he rushed for two touchdowns, his versatility has kept defenses on their heels. Best’s season numbers speak volumes—900 total yards and nine touchdowns. But his performance against National Powerhouse St. Frances Academy truly solidified his reputation. Best passed for two touchdowns in that game and rushed for two more, showing his poise and playmaking against elite competition.

As St. Joe’s prepares for a huge matchup with St. Peter’s Prep, Best’s consistency and explosiveness have positioned him as the top quarterback in the state through the first four weeks.

Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ showed why St. Joe’s Regional head coach Augie Hoffman put him in charge of their offense. In a dominant 43-0 win over Archbishop Stepinac, Best proved he could do it all as a dual-threat quarterback. He was tough to bring down on the ground, displaying excellent contact balance and speed in open space. He also worked the pocket well, delivering tight window throws and setting up explosive plays for his wideouts. Best finished with 227 yards through the air, completing 10 of 14 passes with three touchdowns, and added another 68 rushing yards on six attempts, along with a rushing touchdown. His four-touchdown performance solidified his status as one of the top QBs in North Jersey and put him firmly in the conversation for New Jersey’s Player of the Year.