With the 2018-19 school year approaching, Prep2Prep takes a look at some of the top quarterbacks for each coverage area, along with a few others to keep an eye on. This feature focuses on some of the top signal-callers within the Central Coast Section. This is not a comprehensive list, and all athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
Kyle Albert, Leigh
A lot was asked of Albert as a junior, throwing the ball nearly 300 times, but that experience could pay off in a big way for the 2018 season. The Longhorns did graduate their top two receivers, but Niklas Torres Cooper was productive as a junior in 2017, and the return of running back Eric Elizondo should create a balanced look. Albert totaled 1,878 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air last year, but must cut down on the turnovers, after throwing 18 interceptions last fall.
Joaquin Alvarez, Jefferson
As the aerial half of Jefferson’s offensive efficiency last season, Alvarez helped lead the Grizzlies to an unbeaten mark in PAL-Lake action. As a junior, he completed 63 percent of his throws for 1,598 yards and 11 touchdowns, though the 10 interceptions certainly leaves an area for improvement. Senior Henry Tom gives him a familiar target in the passing game.
Shamir Bey, Archbishop Mitty
Simply put, Bey was phenomenal in his first year as a varsity starter. The rising junior threw for 1,644 yards and 17 touchdowns, against just five interceptions last year, while adding a team-high 775 yards and 11 scores on the ground. There is plenty reason to think his junior year will be even better, as top playmaker and dual-sport standout Joseph Vaughn returns at receiver, and the backfield will be loaded with the return of senior Chaz Saenz and junior James Thomas, plus the transfer of former Harker standout Aaron Smith at running back.
Luke Bottari, Serra
There are no questions about Bottari heading into his senior year, after completing 72 percent of his passes for 2,768 yards and 25 touchdowns last fall, while adding six more scores on the ground. The return of David Coker at running back provides a lethal one-two punch in the backfield, but the question marks are at receiver, where the Padres graduated their top six weapons. Patrick Simon is the top returner among the pass-catchers.
Evans Charles, Monterey
The 6-foot-4 rising senior is part of an exciting group of returners for the Toreadores, and he knows a little about what it takes to be successful as well, as part of the Monterey basketball program which has reached back-to-back section finals. Last fall, Charles completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,208 yards and 11 touchdowns. With top backfield mates Darius Garrard, Janias Thomas, and track standout Azjani McGill all returning, there is plenty of reason to believe Charles will blow past last year’s totals.
Jackson Chryst, Palo Alto
Chryst missed the middle portion of last season due to injury, but now enters his third year as a starter at the varsity level. He did throw for 887 yards and eight scores during his limited time last fall, but figures to see those numbers skyrocket with Nelson Gifford now at the helm of the Vikings’ program.
Joseph King, Woodside
One of the top dual-sport athletes in the section, King will be a three-year starter behind center for Woodside, having thrown for 3,400 yards and 25 touchdowns over the past two years. Baseball is his best sport, however, as the Washington State-committed catcher hit .322 last spring with 21 RBIs, and has shown potential on the mound as well.
Gabriel Reclusado, Piedmont Hills
Reclusado was the do-everything guy behind center for the Pirates last fall, leading them to an 8-3 mark. He completed 68 percent of his throws for 2,431 yards and 37 touchdowns, while also leading the team on the ground, with 922 yards and six scores. Top receivers Brandon Lowe, Jesse Flaris, and Deonte Taylor also return.
Ulysses Reyes, Overfelt
Part of a veteran backfield in 2017, Reyes threw for 1,728 yards and 18 touchdowns, with just four interceptions. Now, with a pair of 1,000-yard running backs having graduated, more figures to fall on Reyes’ shoulders in the 2018 campaign.
Ben Sanford, Christopher
All Sanford did as a junior was complete 64 percent of his passes for 2,452 yards and 27 touchdowns, while leading the Cougars to the CCS Division IV title. And there are plenty of reasons to believe that success should continue, notably the return of his top three receivers – Jason Scirigione, Joseph Cupp, and Cooper Aloha – and top running back, Tyler Davis.
Grant Sergent, Palma
The dual-sport standout was coolly efficient as a junior, throwing for 1,604 yards and 11 touchdowns, with just four interceptions. The 6-foot-3 returner should have extra confidence after going 3-1 with a 3.29 ERA on the mound in the spring, and he also has the benefit of junior Anthony Villegas back with him in the Chieftains’ starting backfield.
Jonathan Singleton, Live Oak
Opposing defenses have already had to worry about Singleton for the past two years, and he shows no signs of slowing down. As a junior, he threw for 2,184 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 494 yards and five more scores. The Acorns’ top three receivers from last year are all gone, but junior running back AJ Gustaveson had a strong sophomore campaign, with 644 yards on the ground, and figures to be the key complement in the backfield.
Carson Yates, Leland
Yates earned BVAL Sophomore of the Year honors in both football and baseball last year, and will now bring varsity experience to the gridiron this fall. He threw for 1,541 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, while adding 581 yards and 13 scores on the ground. With 2,000-yard rusher Kyle Anderson back for his senior year, the Chargers should enjoy an explosive backfield in 2018.
Five more to keep an eye on . . .
Kevin Alarcon, Menlo
Alarcon saw limited playing time behind starter Emilio Simbeck last fall, but produced during the opportunities he had. The rising junior completed 67 percent of his passes for 389 yards and six touchdowns, with no interceptions. That included a 162-yard, three-touchdown performance against Woodside.
Jack Alexander, Menlo-Atherton
The quarterback position at Menlo-Atherton is always going to have plenty of talent surrounding it, and this year should be no exception. No quarterback besides now-graduated Miles Conrad threw a pass last year for the Bears, but despite standing below six feet, Alexander has the skill set which should fit well into the M-A system, as a mobile athlete who throws the ball with a nice touch and accuracy.
Raymond Price III, Sacred Heart Prep
A rising sophomore, Price has already collected his first college offer, and has also tasted competition at the varsity level, after playing some receiver last fall. Now, he appears ready to flourish in Mark Grieb’s system, and brings a dual-threat to the Gators’ attack.
Carl Richardson, Salinas
The 6-foot-3 Richardson had few opportunities behind standout Brett Reade last fall, but should be more than capable of keeping the Cowboys playing at a high level in 2018. His playing time as a sophomore resulted in him completing 19 of 28 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown, and he has been impressive so far through spring and summer workouts.
Brandon Weiler, Gilroy
After starting quarterback Jon Jon Castro was lost to injury last October, Weiler stepped in and kept the season on course, throwing for 660 yards and six touchdowns as the Mustangs capped an unbeaten season with a CCS Division V title. The coaching staff may have changed a bit, but with Weiler and senior Joseph Barnes returning in the backfield, the pieces may still be present for another successful run.
