Arizona’s top high school football players: Meet the state’s best quarterbacks
We’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Arizona high school football. This list focuses on the quarterbacks.
There are hundreds of standout football players in Arizona and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Let us know about any other quarterbacks you think should be added.
Note: All statistics and information through Oct. 4
—
Gage Baker, sr., Paradise Honors
Baker is lighting it up this season for Class 3A Paradise Honors. In seven games, the senior has thrown for 2,848 yards and 43 touchdowns — Arizona’s leader in both categories — to just four interceptions. Baker had a 10-TD game in a victory over Show Low.
Navi Bruzon, sr., Liberty
The reigning Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, Bruzon passed for 3,041 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound lefty holds offers from Air Force and San Diego, among others.
Tyson Buckley, sr., Camp Verde
Buckley doesn’t look like a typical quarterback at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, but the small-school star is one of the most productive passers in Arizona. Buckley has thrown for 1,935 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior while running for five more scores.
Kalen Fisher, jr., Highland
Fisher is in his second year as the starting quarterback for Class 6A Highland. A three-star recruit, Fisher’s offers include Arizona and San Diego State.
Cameron Hackworth, sr., Sabino
Hackworth is a bit undersized at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, but the playmaker gets it done from the quarterback position. Hackworth is closing in on 100 total touchdowns for his career and has thrown for 1,757 yards and 21 TDs as a senior.
Giordan Hanks, sr., Westwood
Hanks has ideal size for the quarterback position at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. He is a strong runner who is averaging more than 100 yards per game on the ground this season.
Tagg Harrison, jr., Tolleson
Harrison is a three-star junior whose offers include Arizona, Louisville and Ole Miss. He recently transferred to Tolleson from Westlake (California) and has yet to play for the Wolverines, but will be one of the most talented throwers in the state when he does see the field.
Luke Haugo, jr., Higley
A transfer from North High who missed Higley’s first five games of the season due to the transfer rules, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Haugo is a star quarterback and point guard. He holds football offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State and Utah.
Wyatt Horton, jr., Pinnacle
Horton has complete command of Pinnacle’s offense. The three-star recruit threw for 2,860 yards and 31 touchdowns as a sophomore and has been just as impressive this fall for the Pioneers.
Jaxon Knutson, jr., McClintock
McClintock has been one of the surprises in Class 5A, and Knutson’s play behind center is a key piece to the puzzle. Knutson has 19 touchdowns to just three interceptions this season with 1,685 yards through the air as a junior.
Brady McDonough, sr., Desert Mountain
McDonough is a dual-threat quarterback who is averaging nearly 200 yards passing per game this season with 15 touchdowns. A three-star recruit, McDonough is committed to Navy.
Hezekiah Millender, jr., Desert Edge
The point man for Desert Edge’s explosive offense, Millender threw for 3,003 yards and 35 touchdowns during his sophomore season. The three-star junior quarterback holds an offer from Northern Arizona and is receiving interest from several other programs.
Luke Moga, sr., Sunnyslope
Moga is a star track sprinter who is also a dangerous threat with his arm on the football field. The three-star prospect committed to Oregon in April.
Beckham Pellant, sr., Hamilton
Pellant has thrown for 1,594 yards and 20 touchdowns this season to just one interception. The dual-threat quarterback is committed to Illinois State.
Evan Tarasenko, sr., Northwest Christian
Tarasenko has protected the football this season, throwing 22 touchdowns to just one interception. His twin sister, Ashley Tarasenko, is a star cross-country runner who is committed to Arizona State.
Noah Trigueros, sr., Notre Dame Prep
A three-star quarterback, Trigueros’ Division I offers include Columbia, Penn and Yale. He has completed nearly 65 percent of his career passes with 45 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Enoch Watson, sr., American Leadership Academy Queen Creek
Watson is averaging 278 yards passing per game as a senior with 21 touchdowns to just three interceptions. A three-star prospect, Watson will play college football for BYU.
Demond Williams, sr., Basha
A dual-threat quarterback with home run speed, Williams flipped his commitment from Ole Miss to Arizona in July. The four-star senior has thrown for more than 8,000 yards during his Basha career with 104 total touchdowns to just 10 interceptions.
Malachi Wilt, so., Tonopah Valley
A sophomore standout for Class 2A Tonopah Valley, Wilt is thriving in his second season as the starting quarterback. Wilt has thrown for 2,360 yards and 27 touchdowns in six games this season.
Jason Wood, sr., Marana
Wood played quarterback and wide receiver last season, but the talented athlete has become Marana’s full-time option behind center this year. He has run for three touchdowns as a senior while throwing for 1,654 yards and 11 scores to just three interceptions.
—
-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports
