Closing out this series of positional lists with the most important position in sports: the Quarterback. There's many ways to get it done, and there's a wide variety of styles, sizes and ballers on display.
Andon Mata was an incredible player for the West Rusk Raiders throughout his career. His freshman year he started at Wide Receiver. As a sophomore he kicked over to the starting Q spot, where he started his career off with a 1,835 passing yard performance with another 340 yards on the ground. The Raiders went 8-4 that season. As a junior, Mata's numbers anted up. He threw for 2600 yards with 35 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions. He ran for another 428 yards and 7 touchdowns, leading West Rusk to a 12-1 record. As a senior, Mata's numbers grew again, throwing for 2,662 yards and 30 tds to 6 int. As a rusher, Mata had 830 yards with 12 tds, leading West Rusk to a 10-3 record. 30 career wins in 3 seasons with 7,228 career passing yards, 83 passing touchdowns, with 1228 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.
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If we went by a dime count, despite having probably one of the lesser amount of attempts in a career, Damarion Van Zandt would be towards the top. He's truly one of the more accurate deep ball throwers on this list. Van Zandt had a great 2 year run for Kilgore in 2021 and 2022. While Kilgore isn't known for having the most prolific passers in ETX, Van Zandt's play deserves to be mentioned amongst the best. Still a heavy run team, Van Zandt took advantage of 1v1 coverages, and with his accuracy is dangerous. As a junior, Van Zandt threw for 2,148 yards and 22 touchdowns leading Kilgore to the 4th round. As a senior, he came back with 2,034 yards and 18 touchdowns, leading Kilgore back to the 4th round for consecutive years. His numbers won't blow you away, but his play definitely will.
Brady Attaway sits 3rd all time for passing yards at Whitehouse, but what separates him and pass leader Hunter Taylor is Brady won 27 games in his career, including to 10 win seasons in 2007 and 2008. Attaway threw for 8,086 yards in his 3 year career for the Wildcats, the most coming in 2007 with 3,127, a then school record. Attaway went on to SFA where his career was excellent. Attaway finished with the second most yards in school history behind Jeremy Moses.
Sam Peterson was a baseball signee in 2022, but he was a 3 year starter for the Lindale Eagles from 19-21, collecting 27 wins. A big, physical presence, Peterson stood at 6'3 and weighed over 200 pounds. A dual threat, his senior year, Peterson threw for 2,770 yards 26 touchdowns while also rushing for 882 yards and 9 touchdowns, leading Lindale to the 3rd round. That senior year he made incredible runs, rushing inside and out, and has one of the best miracle throw out of sack plays ever. As a junior, Peterson was the QB for a group that made it all the way to the state game behind the running of Jordan Jenkins.
A 3 year starter, and career leader in passing yards, DJ Freeman turned the face of the program around at PT. As a senior in 2020, Freeman led the Pirates to a 9-2-1 record, the first winning record in the program since 2002. It was the first time the Pirates made the playoffs since 1983. Freeman threw for 2,075 yards to add to his career 5,291 passing yards. Freeman was an effective runner as well. His 2,972 yards are the most in school history as well.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKUI6sGJ6YE |
Ryan Wilkerson's senior year was as impressive as a singular season you'll find across ETX. Wilkerson threw for over 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns while going for 1294 yards on the ground and adding another 15 scores on the ground. An extremely accurate thrower of the football, and possessed Manziel type athleticism and was always "fast enough." Wilkerson is the all-time leader at EF in all passing statistics. For a career, Wilkerson threw for 6,778 yards and 60 touchdowns. Wilkerson added, 3,515 yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground.
Back many, many moons ago there used to be a thing called option football. The quarterback was as valuable as a runner as he was a passer. Back in Longview in 2002, Joel Armstrong was the master of the scheme. As a sophomore, he was part of a learning, struggling group, taking over as the starter for a 3-7 Longview squad. As a junior, the process was starting to come together as Joel helped lead Longview to a 7-5 record, losing to Allen in the second round 20-17. As a senior, Joel played his best, leading Longview to a 10-4 record losing a 24-21 thriller to Lufkin. Throughout his career Joel accounted for 50 touchdowns, 26 on the ground, 24 through the air. He went on to Rice where he started at both QB and WR.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saYnUutyiac |
David Potter had big shoes to fill, replacing Brayson McHenry, and Potter in his own way did that and more. As a sophomore in 2022, Potter threw for 1,515 yards and 15 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. That year Texas High went 8-3, and Potter knew he had to get better. As a junior, Potter elevated his game and the Tigers went further. David threw for 2,355 yards for 22 touchdowns to just 1 interception. The Tigers made it to the 3rd round of the Playoffs where Lovejoy ended there season. As a senior, Potter, a TCU signee, lit it up. Potter threw for 3100 yards for 33 touchdowns and ran for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Texas High lost a thriller to PNG in the third round ending their season 12-1.
A 3 year starter, 2 time all-state performer, and 2 time state champion, Ben Harmon was the ideal leader to a tough, option running football team for the PG Hawks in 2017-19. In 2017 as a sophomore, HArmon threw for 2,038 yards and 28 touchdowns as he led the Hawks to the state championship. As a junior, Harmon led the Hawks back to the state game in 2018, this time losing to Cuero after an incredible performance by Jordan Whittington. Harmon threw for 2,008 yards and 28 touchdowns. In his grand finale, Harmon had the best statistical year of any PG Hawk quarterback. He threw for 2,603 yards en route to a 15-1 state championship team, his 2nd ring. His 30 TD tosses are a school record, as he owns every passing record at PG. He'll be remembered forever for his leadership and corky throwing motion, but mostly for bringing 3 of the best season in PG Hawk history.
Harmony started the 2022 season with minimal expectations. They were predicted by The Zone to finish 5th in their district. That was before the world knew Boston Seahorn. The Harmony Eagles started out 0-4, but when District hit they turned a new leaf. Led by Seahorn, the Eagles won 9 of their next 10 games, finishing in the 5th round losing to Poth. Seahorn, a 2 way starter, passed for 2,148 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 1,475 and 21 touchdowns. As a senior, the magic didn't quite repeat for Seahorn as he battled injury throughout the year. Nonetheless, Seahorn still produced 2200 pass yards to go with 642 rushing yards and 37 total touchdowns to just 5 interceptions.
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As physically imposing as they come, Dee Lewis could physically take over games at 6'3 235. He could plow through your entire defense if that was the requirement, or he could throw it over your defense if you were too slow. He split time as a Quarterback in 2020, but in 2021, the big fella took over. That season Lewis threw for 2,950 yards and 37 touchdowns on 58% passing. He took the team 3 rounds deep, before injuring his self against West Rusk in the 3rd Round. The Tigers won that game, but were defeated the next week.
A high level competitor, Brayson McHenry was just a flat out baller at Texas High in 2020 and 2021. 2020 was his best year statistically. He leaned on star receiver Rian Cellars, throwing for 2,929 yards and 36 touchdowns on 61% passing. His senior year, the numbers turned down, but he still played well. He threw for 1,639 yards and 14 touchdowns that season, as the team was heavy run. In 2020, he led Texas High to an 11-1 record, and as a senior their record was 12-1. A 23-2 record ain't too shabby for a 5'10 180 pound QB.
A 2 year starter for the Bobcats, Jace Moseley turned a below average team to a formidable opponent in his time as the guy. As a junior, Moseley flashed greatness late in the season, specifically in district winning 3 games against good competition. That year, Jace finished with 2,056 passing yards and 17 touchdowns on 54% passing. As a Senior, Jace took over the game. He was Hallsville lead rusher and passer in 2022, rushing for 1,637 and 24 touchdowns and passing for 2,255 yards with 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. With is ability to hurt the defense both with his accuracy and legs, make him one to remember for a while.
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This lefty made the most out of his one year he got. The 6'3 195 pound Carter led the Gilmer Buckeyes to a State Championship, and was also apart of the best game in East Texas in probably the entire decade. Carter was a great passer, completing 74 percent of his passes for 3,969 yards for 47 touchdowns to just two interceptions. That's an insane amount of production, and with just 297 completions, he, along with his all star cast at receiver, averaged 14 yards per completion. Carter danced his way around the ranks before eventually finding his self as the starter at TExas Tech University. Carter didn't stay there, finishing with Rutgers. In his 3 years on the FBS level Carter threw for 1,045 yards for 6 tds to 8 picks.
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Kordell Rodgers is one of many talented QB's to come through Lufkin over the past 23 seasons. A true dual-threat, Kordell could lace you up throwing it, or dash through your whole defense with his legs. A 2 year starter, Rodgers threw for 5,221 yards in his career, 4th in school history behind 2 other Q's that will appear on this list and 53 touchdowns.
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Derek McKenzie is the original gun slinger of Gilmer Football. As a junior, McKenzie got his feet wet in 2002 with 1,745 passing yards and 8 touchdowns. In 2003 Gilmer introduced their spread offense and McKenzie took off. As a senior he threw for 2,751 and 26 touchdowns, a then school record, while also adding 1,570 rushing yards, 3rd all time for a season, and 27 touchdowns, still tied for a school record. He led the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record in 2003, laying the grounds for Manuel Johnson and company in 2004 to win the title.
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After going 7-5 and throwing for 2,161 yards and 20 touchdowns on 66% passing as a junior, Rainey turned it on his senior year. Rainey threw for 2,782 yards and 41 touchdowns on 62% passing. The real difference was the rushing yards. Jackson went for 158 carries for 1,326 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. His ability to turn any and every play to a touchdown made him tough to handle as he led Van to a 12-1 record, losing to Gilmer in the 3rd round in 2021.
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Capps was a dangerously accurate passer. 30-1 through 31 starts, Capps stood tall in the pocket and delivered strikes to receivers. A State Champion in 2017, Capps completed 221/343 passes for 3,856 yards for 49 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. As a senior, Capps threw for 1,812 yards, with 23 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. Including his time as a sophomore, Capps threw for the 2nd most yards in school history with 7,676 yards and 2nd in passing touchdowns with 96.
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Gilmer has had many of great Q's over the last 23 years, and Poppy Brown statistically may be the best. As a junior, Poppy got the start and played well immediately. In his first game ever he through for 590 yards against Liberty Eylau in a 61-56 thriller. He finished that junior season with 5,013 yards and 48 touchdowns leading them back to the State Championship Game. Gilmer was defeated by Sweetwater that year. As a senior, Poppy threw for more yards per game, finishing with 3,523 yards and 27 touchdowns in 3 less games.
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A 2 year starter for the Pack for the two most impressive teams in Lufkin history. Claybon was an extremely accurate QB, and was an awesome facilitator to the likes of impressive athletes like Dez Bryant and Rafael Thomas. In 2005, as a junior, Claybon threw for 2,448 yards and 24 toucdhdowns in 13 of the teams 15 games. In 2006, Claybon led the team with 2,877 passing yards and 36 touchdowns on 60% completion. He finished his career second all time in yards and TDs at Lufkin.
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Braden Bennett had one huge junior season, taking Mount Vernon all the way to the 5th round in 2021. He was second in all of 4a in passing, throwing for 3,789 yards and 41 touchdowns on 63% passing. Mount Vernon went 14-1 losing to Brock in the state semifinal 35-28 in overtime. That 3,789 mark is a school record for passing yards in a season, along with the 41 touchdowns. As a senior, Bennett came out to a scorching start to his season. He was 31/45 for 593 yards and 11 touchdowns to 1 interception in the 3 games he played before tearing his ACL. With another year, Bennett could've very well ascended to the top 15 of this list.
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Chase Johnson was a 3 year starter for Daingerfield and his name is all over the record books. Johnson owns the records for: Pass Attempts in a Season, Completions in a Season, Passing Attempts in a Career, Passing Completions, Passing Yards in a Season, Passing Yards in a Career, and Pass TDS in a Game. As a sophomore, Chase took the book by storm with 3,456 passing yards and 42 touchdowns. He added another 717 rushing yards, taking Daingerfield to the 3rd round of the playoffs and to a 10-3 record. As a junior, Johnson threw for 2,953 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushed another 768 yards and 18 touchdowns. Daingerfield made it all the way to the State Semifinal before losing in OT. As a senior, Daingerfield started slowly, but still managed to make it to the quarterfinal round again. Johnson threw for 2,056 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 695 yards and 7 touchdowns. A big, physical player with a cannon, Chase is one of the best.
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In his first year as a starter, Kyler Finney lit up East Texas, finishing the season as the top passer in yardage with 3,405 passing yards in 12 games. His 40 touchdowns to 10 interception ratio shows he's willing to take risk, but he also takes care of the ball. He led Winnsboro to a 10-2 record, the first time they've won 10 games since 2008. Kyler is a big, strong, athletic player. He delivers the ball with a mean, tight zip, and he was deadly accurate in 2022. In 2023, Finney lined it up again and put on once more. Finney threw for 3400 yards for 38 tds to just 2 int. Finney added a 1000 yards on the ground, leading Winnsboro to a 12-1 record losing to Malakoff for the second straight year in the playoffs.
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BT was a 2 year starter for Gilmer in 2020 and 21 and amassed a bunch of production throughout those times, leading the Buckeyes to 2 state title games. In his first year as a starter, Tennison took Gilmer to the State Final after throwing for 3,866 yards and 40 touchdowns on 63% passing. As a senior, Tennison came back with 3,877 yards and 36 touchdowns on 69% passing. The difference in the two are interceptions. As a junior, BT turned the ball over a lot throwing 18 picks. As a senior, he cut that number down to just 2. As a senior, he made incredibly accurate throws to a plethora of receivers, and showed that poise and control that made him so tough to deal with.
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Mineola's all time leading rusher is the 5'8 175 pound, 5 flat running Jeremiah Crawford. His stature and athleticism isn't impressive, but the wins and the style of play Crawford put on from 2014-16 definitely is. Most importantly, Crawford led Mineola to 40 wins over his 3 year career. His 7,924 yards still tops the list, even after an incredible 4 year career from Dawson Pendergrass. In 2014, as a sophomore Crawford led Mineola to the state title game, losing to Cameron Yoe 70-40. As a junior, it was automatic that Mineola would return, but they fell just 1 round short going 14-1. That lit the fire under Crawford who led Mineola to a 14-2 record in 2016 and the state championship. That senior year, Crawford rushed for 2,598 yards and 41 touchdowns while also throwing for 15 touchdowns as well. For a career, Crawford rushed for 101 touchdowns while throwing for 35 touchdowns.
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Truly one of the best athletes to ever play in East Texas. That's a lot to say, but Aaron Johnson was simply incredible to watch. On a team full of playmakers, and playing for a heavy run coach, Johnson's numbers take a hit compared to some of the other QB's on this list. But when you throw the numbers out, his plays will leave a longer lasting memory then any number ever will. It'll be hard pressed to find another QB that has The amount of big-time clutch runs and throws throughout a 32 game career. And because we had so many playmakers back then, each moment weighs heavier. In 2008, Aaron Johnson turned Texas Stadium into his own personal playground. It'll be tougher to find a quarterback who played bigger in back to back playoff games than his performances against Midway and Guyer. The only things that hold him back are his statistics - only 26 career passing touchdowns and 24 rushing touchdowns - and the 2 state losses, which definitely aren't on him.
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Si'Darius Blackshire was a 2 year starter for Scott Surratt in 2007 and 08. In '07 Carthage went 9-3. Blackshire threw for 2,604 yards and 33 touchdowns. At the time it was the most prolific passing season in Carthage since 1991. As a senior, Si backdoored with 2,740 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading Carthage to their first State Championship. When he finished, he was Carthage's all time leading passer in yards and touchdowns.
As Van's career statistical leader in passing, and even a couple of rushing records, Garrett Moseley was the original superman for the Vandals. Mosely dominated as a dual threat, for 3 successful years for the Van Vandals between 2015-17. His 28 wins are the most by any Vandal QB in school history. For a career, Moseley rushed for over 3700 yards and 56 touchdowns. He threw for over 6,840 yards and 78 touchdowns in his 3 year career. With great accuracy and athleticism, Moseley is cemented as a Van legend.
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With just one year at Rusk, Owen McCown set all of the singular season records. As a senior, Owen threw for 3,336 yards and 36 touchdowns leading Rusk to a 9-3 record, matching their best total since '17 and '02. McCown of course, is son to former NFL player Josh McCown, and that pedigree showed in his play. He signed to play with Colorado, but since Deion was "coming" he hit the transfer portal. McCown started for UTSA this past season and lit it up for the Roadrunners. McCown in his first season as a starter threw for 3,424 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2024.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln__HfqreL8 |
A fearless, tough runner, Brisbon's legs makes him an absolute nightmare for defenses. Mix that in with the ability to throw the deep ball, and you've got one of the best dual threats to come through East Texas. His story is interesting. He became a starter midway through his freshman season, and did nothing but take his team all the way to the 5th round before losing in the final seconds to Austin LBJ. As a sophomore he got the start from day 1, and Bris led his team all the way to the 5th round again, this time bowing out to Boerne. As a junior, Brisbon and Chapel Hill made a huge step by not only beating Kilgore for 3 year in a row in the quarterfinal, but finally making it to the state title game. Although they came up short, Brisbon did his most throughout the season to get them there. Brisbon threw for 2,027 yards for 27 touchdowns but cutting his interception number down to just 6 from 18. Brisbon ran the numbers up on the ground rushing for 1,733 yards and 13 touchdowns. While Brisbon was on pace to be the first player to make my top 100 4 years in a row, he missed a great chunk of the 2024 season due to injury. In 7 games in spot duty, Brisbon threw for 317 yards for 6 tds to 5 int. He ran for another 411 yards and 1 touchdown. Despite Brisbon missing most of the season, Chapel Hill still advanced to the quarterfinal.
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Connor cuff led the Carthage Bulldogs to a 27-1 record during his 2 seasons as the starting QB of the Bulldogs. His junior year the impossible happened, Carthage lost before December. It was an off year, but not for the production. Cuff threw for 2,203 yards on 161/287 (56%) for 29 touchdowns. His senior year Cuff bounced back in a major way being named the Small School MaxPreps Player of the Year. He threw for 4,033 yards, 2nd all-time, for 52 touchdowns, 2nd All-time, to just 4 interceptions on 61% en route to leading Carthage to their 9th school title.
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You can't get better than 30-0. Horton has worn a lot of hats for the Bulldogs over the past two seasons. He's won games with his arm, sometimes he's been the perfect game manager. He's stood in the pocket and delivered strikes and he's also scrambled around and made fantastic plays with his legs. He's played with tremendous talent over the last two seasons, probably 2 of the more talented teams to walk through Carthage. As a junior he had a big year throwing for 3,741 yards on 61% passing with 49 touchdowns to just 6 picks. As a senior in 14 games, he threw for 2,924 yards with 34 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. For a career he threw for 6,758 yards in his time for 83 touchdowns.
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The Number 2 Quarterback in the nation, Ryan Mallett was everything you wanted from the quarterback position. At 6'6 210 lbs. Mallett could throw it all over the field and looked like a professional in high school. Mallett was an intimidating presence, throwing for 7,879 yards for 72 touchdowns to 19 interceptions. He got the job as a sophomore replacing Chris Marshall, he came out and threw for 2,332 yards and 20 touchdowns on 50% passing, leading the team to a 10-3 record. His junior year those numbers were almost identical. He threw for 2,279 yards and 21 touchdowns on 60% passing, but a 9-2 record. He led all of 4A as a senior in passing yards throwing for 3,354 yards and 31 touchdowns on 61% passing. That year the team went 12-0 before losing to Copperas Cove by 3 in the third round.
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In 2001, Coach Norton handed the reigns over to a Sophomore quarterback. That QB simply went out and threw for 2,018 yards and 18 touchdowns on 55% passing, leading his team to an 8-3 record. That first round loss led to stellar motivation for the Tigers. In 2002, Chris Marshall held the 4A State Title over his head with the rest of his teammates after a stellar season. The junior threw for 2,502 yards and 28 touchdowns in a balanced attack. As a senior, Marshall threw for 1,571 yards and 14 touchdowns on 58% passing, leading them to a 13-1, losing one week before a repeat. Texas High was one of the few teams willing to air it out in the early 2000s, and Marshall's big game and big time presence led to key throws in the clutch.
A 2 year starter and the 2014 5A Player of the Year, Geovari McCollister lived in his bag. A bigger QB, McCollister slung the ball around the field, and then used his physicality and good movement skills to carry Tyler to 19 wins in his 2 years as the starter. In 2013, McCollister threw for 2,615 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the team to a 7-4 record. 2014, Geo came back with a vengeance. He upped his passing numbers to 3,380 yards and scored 35 times through the air. On the ground, Geo rushed for 664 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Mike Jones is one of them. As a starting quarterback he's taken his team's no less than the 5th round for 3 years. As a sophomore, he led Malakoff to a 13-2 record, running and throwing it with success. He threw for 2,255 yards for a 24:7 TD to INT ratio. He ran for an additional 482 yards and 6 touchdowns. Like most players excelled in his JR year. He raised his passing yards to 2,635 and tds to 31. The biggest improvement was the decrease in interceptions. Jones helped Malakoff in 2023 when he only threw 2 interceptions all season. Jones was still a threat on the ground, rushing for 840 yards and 14 toucdhowns. As a senior, Jones had it on his mind to defend. The Tigers fell just short of that, losing in the state title game. Jones threw for 2,591 for 38 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions, while rushing for 1,129 yards and 11 touchdowns. An awesome career.
Trip Baysinger was the man in 2024. Baysinger led Liberty-Eylau to the 5th round, upsetting Winnsboro with one of the most explosive offenses we've seen. Baysinger started his career out at Hooks. In 2022, as a sophomore Baysinger threw for 2,217 total yards and 30 touchdowns. As a junior, Baysinger transferred to L.E. As a senior, Baysinger threw for 3,266 yards and 44 touchdowns while rushing for 1,151 yards and 16 tds. Baysinger even added 2 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Physical in the run game, fast enough to get the edge, Baysinger was a true dual threat.
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It's time I put some respect on Anthony Morgan's name. He's the top QB in Carthage history, despite being the smallest of the players. At 5'7 170 pounds Anthony Morgan went back to back for Carthage in 09-10 after starting at safety in 2008. Anthony threw for 2,900 yards in 2009 for 41 touchdowns on 60% completion. As a senior, Morgan doubled down and went even bigger. He threw for 3,860 yards on 63% completion for another 41 touchdowns. For a career, Morgan threw for 7,270 yards and 84 touchdowns. Those numbers are remarkable, especially for 09-10, and Morgan is the first Carthage QB to go back to back in his career at Carthage.
In 2002, Stephen Hodge took over as the starting quarterback for the Tatum Eagles. That year Hodge threw for 1,487 yards, as the Eagles went 8-3. As a junior, they figured it out. He ran 249 times for 2,040 yards and 29 touchdowns. He threw for 1,670 yards and 16 touchdowns on 50% completion. That year the Eagles went 8-5. Coach Evans took over as the Head Coach in 2004, and the Eagles went 12-2. Hodge once again was the main catalyst, throwing for 1,527 yards and 20 touchdowns on an improved 61% completion. He rushed for another 1,548 yards and 20 touchdowns, as the Eagles were ousted by Manual Johnson and the 2004 Buckeyes.
The term electric gets thrown out there a lot when describing players. Typically this means the guy is ultra shifty, super fast and looks like he's on a different playing field. Bryson Smith, was just that, electric. The fastest QB I've seen with my own two, Bryson Smith is the best running threat on this list. In 2015, Smith threw for 2,415 yards and 20 touchdowns on 60%. He ran for 1,421 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading JT to an 8-4 record. As a senior, Bryson came back and upped all of his numbers. He threw for 3,277 yards and 32 touchdowns on 61%. Smith ran for another 1,653 yards and 23 touchdowns, as he led JT to the third round, finishing with an 11-2 record. Smith finished his career with 3,182 yards and 45 rushing touchdowns, the most by any Lion in JT history.
Easily one of the smoothest QBs to play the position, Tyrik Rollison was incredible during his career for Sulphur Springs. He was never in a hurry, even in duress, and could effortlessly sling the ball down the field. As as sophomore, Rollison and the Wildcats struggled. They went 2-8, and Rollison threw for
a 1,050 yards and 6 touchdowns. As the fulltime starter in 2007, Rollison threw for the second most yards in 4A behind Garrett Gilbert, going for 3,691 yards and 37 touchdowns on 70% passing. He led Sulphur Springs to a 9-2 record. That first round playoff loss rallied the troops his senior and led to something magical. As a senior, Rollison led the Wildcats to a 14-2 record and a State Championship. Rollison threw for 4,728 yards and 51 touchdowns while rushing for over 1,100 yards.
At 5'7 170 pounds, Tyler Boyd is one of the best pound for pound players on this list. Whether it be on the ground or through the air, Boyd's poise in some of the biggest moments of his career are the reason why he finished his high school career with 3 State Championships. As a sophomore, Tyler Boyd threw for 2,418 yards and 24 touchdowns leading the Tigers to a 15-1 record. In 2009, the Tigers repeated that record as Boyd passed for 1,966 yards and tossed 33 touchdowns. His senior year, with the graduation of Koko Smith, the Tigers leaned more on Boyd and his passing. He led the Tigers to a 14-1 record, throwing for 2,846 yards and 45 touchdowns on 61% passing. He's the career leader in passing yards and touchdowns, as well as the most rushing yards from a Tiger in a game with 310.
In 2003, GJ Kinne got the start as a freshman, leading Canton to an 8-4 record. He threw for 1,651 yards and 14 touchdowns while also playing all over the field leading Canton back to the playoffs for the first time since 1998. As a sophomore, GJ became more active on the ground. He ran for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also throwing for 2,629 (5th in 3A) yards on 79% and 29 touchdowns. That year he led Canton back to the playoffs finishing with a a record of 8-2. As a junior, Kinne cemented his legacy as one of the greats. He led Canton to a 12-2 record, throwing for the most yards in 3A, with 4,255 yards and 42 touchdowns on 57% passing with just 1 interception. He ran for 400 yards and 11 touchdowns that season. Kinne transferred to Gilmer after a disastrous situation his senior year. While his play was stellar, that season ended in disappointment as the Buckeyes lost to eventual state champions Liberty-Eylau in the first round that year. Kinne with his new all-star cast put video game numbers up throwing for 3,227 yards, 47 touchdowns on 67% passing in those 11 games.
Manuel Johnson quarterbacked Gilmer to perfection in 2004. The 6'2 190 Johnson won 3A Player of the Year. As a junior he played alongside Derek McKenzie and watched him ball. As a senior, in just one season at the QB position, Manuel Johnson threw for 4,098 yards on 68% completion and 48 touchdowns, and ran for 18 more. The only thing that keeps him from atop of the list is he only had one year to do it.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cQ4aNSGRvA |
Haynes sophomore season record was 10-1, leading his team to the 5th round throwing 2,107 yards for 25 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and rushing for 238 yards and 2 touchdowns. His junior season led Longview to their first State Championship in 81 years, throwing for 3,877 yards for 41 touchdowns to 4 interceptions while rushing for 664 yards and 8 touchdowns. After that remarkable season, Haynes was named Texas Player of the Year, 6A Player of the Year, Ford Player of the Year, East Texas MVP, and District MVP. By those standards what happened Haynes' senior year was a let down. King was 123/213 throwing for 1,926 yards for 20 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. On the ground he ran 55 times for 506 yards and 10 touchdowns. Through his 39 career games, King threw for a school record 7,910 yards and 86 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,408 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Haynes took off to Texas A&M and after a roller coaster 3 years, he took off to Georgia Tech where it's been up ever since. He returns for his final season of college football in 2025, but he's already thrown for 6,535 yards for 51 touchdowns while rushing for 1,474 yards and 22 touchdowns.
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One of the most well-respected athletes to come out of East Texas is the legend of Stump. 2 state championship appearances in both his sophomore and senior year, finishing with the state title in 2009. Stump is in rare air, and with his ability to function both in the running and passing games, he's truly one of the best dual-threats to play the position. As a sophomore, Godfrey started from game 1 going for 2,727 yards through the air on 63% passing with 38 touchdowns. The Buckeyes loss to Liberty-Hill 38-13 in the state game. As a junior, Godfrey ran his numbers up even more. He threw for 2,903 yards on 57% passing for 35 touchdowns. The Buckeyes went 12-2 that year. As a senior, Godfrey led the Buckeyes to a 15-0 record and a state championship throwing for 3,581 yards and 42 touchdowns on 71% passing. He ran for 848 yards and 22 touchdowns. Godfrey is the all-time leader in passing yards and also the career leader in TD runs.
Terry Bussey is one of the best athletes to come through these parts. His laser 4.4 speed and ridiculous running ability has scouts in a roar, not to mention he can cover almost anyone in the nation. At 2A Timpson, Bussey is the orchestrator of the offense. As a freshman, Bussey threw for 751 yards and ran for 1,236 yards on 81 touches for 19 touchdowns. As a sophomore, Bussey upped his passing to 1,708 yards and 22 touchdown on 67% passing. The rushing numbers grew as well: 95 carries, 1445 yards for 28 touchdowns. As a junior,, he carried Timpson to the 5th round, going 14-1. He threw for 2,177 yards and 26 touchdowns on 65% passing and rushed for 2,596 yards and 46 touchdowns on 184 carries. The grand finale ended with the trophy raised high in the air as Bussey went absolute nuts again. He threw for 2,691 yards, ran for 1,585 yards while going for 36 tds through the air and 24 more on the ground.
In his first year at Texas A&M Bussey ran for over a 100 yards and caught for another 100 yards. he's expected to take on a bigger role as a full time receiver.
Reggie McNeal is in the Texas High School Hall of Fame. He was the #1 QB in the nation (4.35 40 time) his senior year leading Lufkin to it's only State Championship in school history. Reggie dealt out of the shotgun and operated a spread offense, a unique system for the area at the time. As a junior, McNeal threw for 2,150 yards on 50% completion for 25 touchdowns. As a senior, McNeal led Lufkin to that glorious year. That 15-1 season McNeal was the East Texas Player of the Year, throwing for 2,835 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 856 yards and 10 touchdowns. McNeal spent time as a defensive back intercepting 7 passes his senior season. In the season finale, Reggie threw for 223 yards and ran for 159 more. McNeal went on to Texas A&M where he was a 3.5 year starter, throwing for 6,992 yards for 44 touchdowns and rushing for 1,889 yards and 15 touchdowns. Reggie was taken in the 6th round by Cincinnati to play receiver.
On previous lists, I always punished Patrick Mahomes for not being able to make a deep playoff run his junior and senior seasons, but that's not really fair. Good teams make deep runs, not just good offenses. The Wildcats defense gave up 54 ppg in the 2 losses his junior year and 65 points in the loss his senior year. Evaluating the tape, Pat was and is the best QB we've seen in East Texas. The same risk you see him make and take on Sunday's are the same plays he made on Fridays. From a skill standpoint, there are better runners than PAt, from a passing perspective, there are a couple who can spend it just as good as MAhomes. What you won't find is a guy that can mesh the two of those skill sets together. As a junior, Mahomes threw for 3,839 yards on 56% completion with 46 touchdowns. He also ran for 258 yards and 6 scores, all of these stats in just 12 games. As a senior, MAhomes was on his way to a perfect season, until losing in the third round. He led the Wildcats to a 12-1 record, throwing for 4,619 and 50 touchdowns and rushing for 948 yards and 15 more scores. That offensive output is utterly ridiculous for 13 games, despite not winning a title. The GOAT.
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