Quarterbacks Lead the Way for Prep Football Teams

Quarterbacks Lead the Way for Prep Football Teams
High School Teams Look to Their Signal Callers in 2010
Jason Hutton Fox 17 Photojournalist
6:48 PM EDT, August 10, 2010


West Michigan - in 2008 there was A.J. Westendorp, Kyle Nichol, Kurt VanEssen and Brent Geers. Last season it was Cody Kater, Luke Wiest, Nick Ens and Jack Livingston. The last couple of prep football seasons have began with some really good returning quarterbacks. 2010 is no different, 2 defending state champs bring back their signal callers along with several others. Here are my top 10 returning quarterbacks for 2010:

1 Wilie Snead IV, Muskegon Heights
After playing receiver his sophomore year at Holland Christian, Snead IV moved over to the Heights with his dad, Tigers Head Coach Willie Snead III, and had a terrific season at quarterback in 2009. He threw for over 2000 yards and rushed for over 1000 combining for 37 td's. Heights plays a very difficult schedule, but look for Snead IV to have another big season.

2 Gabe Dean, Lowell
Head Coach Noel Dean's nephew led the Red Arrows to a state title as a sophomore running for over 1500 yards and 19 td's and throwing for more than 1300 yards and 13 scores. And all that was with an all-state running back in Austin Graham being the focal point of the offense. This season Dean will be the #1 option, look for even bigger numbers in 2010.

3 Ryan Elble, East Grand Rapids
Elble also led his team to the promise land at Ford Field in 2009, now he tries to give EGR 5 in a row. As a junior Elble threw for 1135 yards and 15 scores, he not much of a running threat but look for him and Deon Jobe to hook up for some big plays this season.

4 Jamie Potts, Muskegon Oakridge
Potts led the Eagles to a state title as sophomore 2 years ago, last season Oakridge fell 6 points short against the Heights in the 1st round of the playoffs. Potts, mostly a running threat, at 6'3" 200 can be a load to bring down. He's ran for over 1600 yards in 2 years as a starter including more than 1000 last season. Potts is also a capable passer, he threw for 596 in '08 and 457 last season.

5 Carl Roscoe, Kelloggsville
Roscoe had a great season in 2009, throwing for 1241 yards and 17 td's, his top target Michael Richmond graduated, if the Rockets can find another receiver they should be tough in 2010. Roscoe at 6'3" 215, has the size to play major college football and is receiving some early looks from the Ivy League, he's also an excellent student.

6 Matt Grasmeyer, GR Christian
Grasmeyer threw for over 1200 yards and 11 td's in 2009, he is learning a news system as Don Fellows takes over as coach. If he's a quick study, big things are in store this season.

7 Kevonta Keyes, Muskegon
Keyes is a perfect fit for the Big Red's veer offense, running for over 700 yards and 12 scores last season. Despite being just 5'7 150, Keyes proved to be a capable passer throwing for 500 yards and 6 td's as a junior.

8 Shane Trevino, Hudsonville
Trevino threw for 916 yards and 4 scores in 2009 against a very difficult schedule. This season Dave Lidgard takes over as coach, but after 24 seasons as a Hudsonville assistant, things won't change much. Except maybe Trevino's numbers, look for him to find Tight End Hunter Prince early and often this season.

9 Adam Poel, Grand Haven
He was suppose to be a backup in 2009, but Bryan Kiel broke his foot in the season opener and Poel led the Bucs to one of their best seasons in school history. Granted the Grand Haven defense was terrific, but Poel showed me great poise in the district final loss to Rockford, despite coming up just short. He threw for 780 yards and 7 td's in 2009, expect the Bucs to allow him to throw more in 2010.

10 Jake Blauwkamp, Grandville
After splitting time each of the last 2 seasons with Jake Lombardo, this season the Bulldogs will be led exclusively by Blauwkamp. The numbers, 968 yards and 6 td's, are decent considering he didn't play full time. Look for those number to increase significantly in 2010, but can Grandville get back to the playoffs?

2010 might not end up as the year of the quarterback in West Michigan, but I'm not ready to rule it out.