QB Country Week in Review 11/18: Top Performers
A group of seven underclassmen (including an eighth grader playing varsity) and strong playoff performances highlight our latest week in review:
Caleb Ellard (Rome, GA)
Caleb threw for a touchdown and ran for one more to help lift Rome to a 52-0 victory in Georgia’s 5A state playoffs. Though Rome relies heavily on a rushing attack, Caleb has thrown for more than a thousand yards and hasn’t thrown a pick through 11 games. Rome is 9-2 and takes on Warner Robins in a state second round matchup Friday night.
Tanner Bailey (Gordo, AL)
Tanner completed 13-of-25 passes for 169 yards and the game-clinching touchdown with less than five minutes to play to guide Gordo to an 18-7 victory and a spot in the Alabama 3A Quarterfinals. Gordo is currently 12-0 and has outscored opponents 426-88 this season with Tanner guiding the offense. A sophomore, Tanner has multiple Power 5 offers.
Will Crowder (Gardendale, AL)
Will finished 22-of-42 for 240 yards and added another 28 on the ground to go along with a TD, nearly leading Gardendale to an upset over top-ranked Muscle Shoals in the Alabama 6A state playoffs. Despite the loss, Will was a nominee for AL.com’s Birmingham area player of the week. A week earlier, Will — who has Power 5 offers — scored on an 18-yard run on a late fourth quarter fourth-and-six play to lift his team into the second round. Said Gardendale coach Chad Eads of his talented junior quarterback:
“The thing I love about him is he will do whatever it takes to win.”
Luke Altmyer (Starkville, MS)
Luke finished finished 20 of 31 passing for 272 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-2 Mississippi 6A state playoff victory last week. Starkville is now 11-1 and Luke continues to be a key reason why. Through 13 games, the junior with multiple Power 5 offers has thrown for more than 2700 yards and has 33 TDs and just four interceptions. His completion percentage is a remarkable .676. Said Starkville coach Chris Jones of Luke’s athletic abilities:
“Everyone knows he can sit in the pocket and throw, but it adds another dimension when you can keep plays alive. It gives your guys a chance to make a play.”
John White (Winona Christian, MS)
Although he’s just an eighth grader, John turned in a strong season, leading Winona to the MAIS state semifinals. On the season he went 147-for-214 for 2495 yards and 29 TDs. In Winona’s division title game, a 48-46 shootout victory, John went 28-for-36 for 467 yards and six touchdowns.
Emmett Morehead (Episcopal, VA)
Emmett went 18-for-30 for 180 yards and added 42 yards and a touchdown on the ground to lead Episcopal to a 20-16 victory over Woodberry Forest in the Hummel Bowl, one of the nation’s oldest high school rivalry games. An All-IAC honoree, Emmett has Power 5 offers.
Ty Simpson (Westview TN)
Ty led Westview to the state playoffs in his sophomore season and had the Chargers ranked among the top area teams for most of the season. He finished with more than 1800 yards passing, 18 TDs and just four interceptions. A dynamic athlete, he added 600 yards rushing. Ty has multiple Power 5 offers.