QBC Week In Review 11/6: Top Performers

QBC Week In Review 11/6: Top Performers

 In College QB News, Featured News, High School QB News, Latest News

Last week was a busy one in QB Country, with a number of Player of the Week-worthy performances. Here are just a few notables from the week that was:

Jake Fromm (Georgia)
Jake went 20-for-30 with 279 yards to lift #8 Georgia over #6 Florida 24-17 in a critical SEC  game. The win puts Georgia in the driver’s seat for an SEC East title and keeps them in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. Jake is now 3-0 against the Gators, and led the Georgia offense to 24 points (and 12-of-18 on third down) against the third-best scoring defense in the conference. Said Coach Kirby Smart of Jake’s clutch performance:

“[You all have] seen it over and over again where people doubt and continue to doubt, and he continues to rise above. He is not a silver spoon-fed kid. He’s a working kid. He … wills himself into it.”

Hamp Sisson (Furman)
Hamp made the most of his opportunity, coming off the bench in the second quarter with Furman down 9-0 in a key rivalry game and leading the Paladins to a 35-20 comeback victory against Chattanooga. Hamp notched his first career passing and rushing touchdowns, finishing 9-or-14 for 94 yards and adding 52 yards on the ground. He also provided teammate Devin Abrams a big push from behind on a late 4th-and-2, enabling Abrams to go 31 yards for the game’s final score. The play earned him kudos throughout college football and a spotlight on ESPN College Football Twitter:

Alex Howell (Murphy/AL)
Alex completed 10-of-14 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 39 yards on six carries to lead Murphy to victory, earning an Alabama 7A Football Player of the Week nomination for the second time this season.

Michael Bradford (St. Michael/AL)
Michael went 12-for-16 for 161 yards, including a 6-for-6 second half and rushed for two touchdowns in a St. Michael victory, earning a Coastal Alabama Football Player of the Week nomination. 

Brett Nezat (Saraland/AL)
Brett thew for 173 yards and the game-winning touchdown in a comeback victory for Saraland, preserving the Spartans’ first undefeated regular season (10-0). It was another steady, clutch performance for Brett, who has earned high praise from coach Jeff Kelly, a former QB at Southern Miss and in the NFL:

“Brett is going on two years now as our quarterback, and I’ve yet to see him lose his composure in a game or get rattled even in practice. I’m usually pretty good at rattling a quarterback in practice. Brett is a pretty cool customer.”

“I get to be around him every day. I see him in practice. I see the leader he is out there, all the intangible things he does day in and day out that might not be evident on video.

Gunnar Smith (Lake Mary/FL)
Gunnar capped his sophomore year throwing for 245 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-0 victory and earning Seminole County Touchdown Club Player of the Week honors. This season he became Lake Mary’s all-time leader in passing yards (4300) and touchdown passes (43) with two years to go. He ranks 13th among all quarterbacks in Florida in passing yards (2348) and 18th in touchdowns (24) this season. Gunnar holds multiple offers including FBS Kentucky. Earlier this year, Gunnar discussed the impact of QB Country coach Charlie Taaffe, who recently passed away:

“He’s been my personal quarterback coach for four to five years. He keeps me on track and makes sure my feet, throws, accuracy are all working together. It’s nice to know my drills and training are the same as high-level college and NFL quarterbacks. His advice is not sugar-coated. He is honest and has been very encouraging to me all along.”

Matthew Tuomala (Charlotte Christian/NC)
After missing much of the season to injury, Matthew has returned with a vengeance and last week led Charlotte Christian to a 14-7 come-from-behind victory that lifted Christian to the NCISAA state championship. Matthew finished 9-for-12 for 173 yards and threw two touchdowns in the second half. He was named a Charlotte Observer Prep Player of the Week nominee. Said Coach Jason Estep:

“You want the kid to come back and play because he’s worked so hard. With Matthew over the hump [from injury] it allows us to do normal things and get back to our offense.” 

Eli Sawyer (Vestavia Hills/AL)
Eli continued his stellar season, leading Vestavia Hills to a dominant 53-0 win in the regular season finale. The Rebels scored on all seven of its first half possessions, with Eli throwing for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns before intermission. Said Eli of the team’s performance:

““I think we played really well as a team…We played a really complete game tonight.”If it’s not (the most points he’s been a part of), it was a close second. That was a fun game to be a part of.”

Karson Green (Satsuma/AL)
Karson was 23-for-28 with 347 yards and four touchdowns to lead Satsuma to a thrilling 46-44 victory. The performance earned him a Coastal Alabama Player of the Week nomination for the third time this season.

Other notables:

Kaleb Barker (Troy) went 26-for-35 for 385 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions against Coastal Carolina.

Sam Howell (UNC) finished with 353 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a 38-31 defeat at UVA.

Drew Pyne (New Canaan/CT) threw for six touchdowns in a New Canaan victory.

Jake Weir (Tupelo/MS) went 18-for-26 for 279 yards and three touchdowns to lead Tupelo to victory and a spot in the region championship game.