Week 7 Gunslingers
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There were some big games this past weekend and there were a number of QB’s who played lights out. Some of these guys just continue to impress every week, while others are up and coming and putting a dent in the competition. Take a look at 5 QB’s from week 7 that lit up the scoreboard on Friday night:
Kai Millner Kai Millner 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Higley | 2021 State AZ , Higley HS (C/O 2021)
Millner threw for 345 yards and 5 TD’s in a hard fought 42-36 loss against Hamilton. The Cal commit showed he can ball out in big time games. I was impressed with Millner’s self-clock, as he had a very good sense of pressure and was able to scramble out to make plays. He displayed a solid pre-snap read and identified matchups well. He looked calm and poised in the pocket, and was able to deliver darts to 6 different receivers throughout the night. He also added 63 yards on the ground, and can definitely be an escape artist with his feet. Millner accounted for every Higley TD, and was able to put up 36 points against a powerhouse Hamilton team, which is the most they’ve allowed all season.
Richard Stallworth, Yuma Catholic HS (C/O 2023)
Stallworth put up 410 yards and 8 TD’s to help Yuma Catholic end with a perfect 7-0 regular season record. Week after week, this kid is among the states top QB’s and is showing some serious talent. His maturity and football IQ as a sophomore is highly impressive, and he shows good mechanics and moves well in the pocket. He has solid arm strength and likes to sit in the pocket and throw the deep ball and shows excellent touch. It will be interesting to see how Stallworth handles and delivers in high pressure situations in the playoffs, as he’ll look to continue to put up big numbers in a state championship run. Stallworth is showing promising D1 potential, and will continue to be one of the most exciting QB’s to watch for the next couple years.
Mikey Keene Mikey Keene 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Chandler | 2021 State AZ , Chandler HS (C/O 2021)
Keene went 27-33 for 290 yards and 4 TD’s to beat Highland 42-19. There isn’t much Keene can’t do at this level, as he continues to play lights out every week and is a consistent threat through the air and on his feet. Nobody has been able to stop Keene and the rest of the Chandler team. The UCF commit found 6 different receivers and did a great job of keeping his eyes downfield and remaining calm and poised for plays to develop. He has an excellent football IQ and does a great job of identifying coverages and throwing receivers open. Highland is a well put together team, and yet Chandler just continues to make every week look easy. Keene will face a tough Hamilton defense this upcoming week, and it is a high possibility that we could see these two meet again for the open division state championship.
Aiden Cerullo, Desert Mountain HS (C/O 2021)
Cerullo went 16-19 with 302 yards and 3 TD’s through the air, while adding another 2 TD’s on the ground in a big region win against undefeated Cactus Shadows. Cerullo threw a play action slant route in a tight window for a 90 yard TD, and then was able to sling another play action slant for about a 77 yard TD. Cerullo did an excellent job of selling play action all night, as it was a major part of the Desert Mountain offense. His 3rd passing TD was also play action, which sucked the entire defense across the field to where he was able to hit a wide open flat route for about an 8 yard score. Cerullo also did a good job of making accurate, athletic throws on the move and was able to get the ball out quick.
Demond Williams, Basha HS (C/O 2024)
The freshman stepped up big and threw for 249 yards and 2 TD’s to beat an undefeated Mesa Mountain View team. Mountain View has one of the nastiest defenses in the state, and Williams played lights out and proved he’ll go toe-to-toe with anyone. He did a great job of getting the ball out quick to limit a lethal pass rush as much as possible. Despite being sacked 5 times, he played resilient and hung in the pocket to get the ball downfield to his playmakers. He threw a dime on a 40 yard post for a TD to beat a cover 3 shell to an outside receiver in which he showed excellent deep ball trajectory and placement just over the safety’s reach, as his receiver was able to run under it and snag it. Williams had a very impressive performance and will only continue to grow and develop into a lethal QB the next 3 years.