Michael Carvell’s Video Blog: Who is your pick for Georgia’s top QB?
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Note: The AJC’’s Michael Carvell will be blogging live from “Sims vs. Shaw” at Flowery Branch on Friday night. Please join us here on ajc.com
Two of the nation’s top high school quarterbacks will be on the same field in Georgia on Friday.
It’s Gainesville’s Blake Sims (committed to Alabama) vs. Flowery Branch’s Connor Shaw (South Carolina). Gainesville is ranked No. 1 in Class AAA, while Flowery Branch was last year’s state runner-up.
How rare is this QB showdown between Sims vs. Shaw? “I was talking to an old friend who used to recruit for Ohio State,” Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said. “He said he’d go through entire states without seeing a major-college quarterback … and to see two of them from the same county (Hall County) in the same game is something special.”
Here’s the tale of the tape between the QBs:
> Size: Sims had a growth spurt over the summer and stands at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, while Shaw has a nice frame at 6-2, 200. Both will have to add muscle before playing in the SEC. Advantage: None.
> Statistics: Sims has passed for 1,402 yards and rushed for 449 yards, while scoring 31 total TDs. Shaw has 2,016 yards passing and 584 yards rushing, along with 37 TDs. Advantage: None.
Will Nick Saban and Blake Sims (committed to Bama) still be buddies around national signing day? UGA is making a late charge, and I'm guessing Sims will sign with the Bulldogs
> Accuracy: Both have only three interceptions. Sims has completed 62-percent of his passes, while Shaw — clearly the biggest improvement of his game since last year — is at an astounding 73-percent. Advantage: Shaw.
> Speed: Sims can score from anywhere on the field with his legs, even returning a punt for TD. Sims averages 7.7 yards on QB keepers. Shaw has deceptive speed, and his “dual threat” athleticism is revered by Steve Spurrier. Advantage: Sims
> Style: Both play in spread offenses and can scramble, which causes major problems for defensive secondaries. When rolling out, Sims is often encouraged by his coach to run — if there’s space, while Shaw tends to wait a little longer for WRs to get open. Advantage: None.
South Carolina-bound Connor Shaw (left) has completed a whopping 73-percent of his passes in 2009 (AJC).
> Clutch: Sims hasn’t been tested yet, rarely playing after halftime, as Gainesville has won by an average of 42 points. Shaw threw the game-winning TD pass on the last play of the game vs. West Forsyth. Advantage: Shaw.
> Castmates: Sims has WR Tai-Ler Jones (Notre Dame), and if not the state’s best defense, then perhaps the No. 1 LB duo with A.J. Johnson (Tennessee) and Thomas Sprague. Shaw has sophomore RB Imani Cross (976 yards rushing). Advantage: Sims
Who is your pick for Georgia’s top QB? Gainesville’s Blake Sims? Flowery Branch’s Connor Shaw? Lassiter’s Hutson Mason? North Gwinnett’s C.J. Uzomah? Who else you would throw in there? Please make your choice below.
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80 comments Add your comment
jim bob cooter
November 7th, 2009
6:02 pm
seems like every one knows who the best qb is? mark me down for Mason
JayBo
November 7th, 2009
6:07 pm
TCC is back!!!!
JayBo
November 7th, 2009
6:17 pm
TCC is clicking on cylindars heading into the playoffs and that spells trouble for the rest of AAAA!!! My baby YELLOW JACKETS have grown up with only 2 senior starters on offense and 3 on defense!!! I have said all season that were a young team and I really didnt expect much, but the coaches have got these boys right after the first game lost to thomasville and we haven’t lost since!!! Hey Hiram don’t get too happy because if you face TCC I got a feeling we are gonna dust you off just like we did that other team from your area(EP) a few years ago…o yea, they were undefeated too!!!
UNAMOUS SOURCE
November 7th, 2009
8:19 pm
Hutson is the best QB since sliced bread. Like he is so graceful in the pocket i just dont know how to explain it. Supposedly the other day Mason received a couple text messages from Tim Tebow (Florida QB) where Tebow invited Mason to attend a mission trip with him this summer to the Phillipines. This comes from an exclusive source.
# 1 jag fan!
November 7th, 2009
8:51 pm
The quarterback from Stephenson High School, Jordan Tarver 5 foot 10 Jr. has thrown for 978 yrds so far, has led his team to an undefeated record(10-0) with only 1 interception and 18 touchdowns passing and 3 rushing. This kid keeps up the great work he will among one the top quarterbacks in Georgia like his mentor, Reggie Ball, a Stephenson High graduate in 2003.
TOWERS COOKIN
November 8th, 2009
9:06 am
MILES GOOCH STRONGEST ARM QUATERBACK IN THE STATE IF YOU DON’T KNOW YOU BETTER ASK SOMEBODY!!!!!
TOWERS COOKIN
November 8th, 2009
9:07 am
Enter your comments here
TOWERS COOKIN
November 8th, 2009
9:07 am
MILES GOOCH TOWERS HIGH
Old devil
November 8th, 2009
2:16 pm
My pick for best QB in GA is Matt Cawthon at Jackson High. I have never seen him play, but I played ball with his daddy and uncle, (Matt & Wally), and they were both very good. Sounds like this acorn didn’t fall too far from the tree. Back to back undefeated regular seasons is unprecedented at this school. Go Big Red!
1scout
November 8th, 2009
3:38 pm
NO DOUBT, TERRELL BRIGHAM FROM BURKE COUNTY. IN JUST HIS SECOND YEAR PLAYING QB, HE HAS PASSED AND RAN OVER 1,300 YARDS BOTH SEASONS, BEHIND A YOUNG OFFENSIVE LINE. ALSO, HE WAS THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
LHS
November 8th, 2009
8:07 pm
You are all kidding me, right? How can anyone question who’s the best? I have personally watched Hutson Mason over the last two years and have been simply amazed. He has made the Trojans offense look like a college offense. QB’s playing on Saturday don’t look as good as this kid. He is the real deal!
don
November 8th, 2009
8:21 pm
I guarantee the ajc will choose whats that kids name thats going to Bama. The ajc refuses to pay attention to stats and look at offers which is why this guy doesn’t compare Mason with anybody if you did compare him to someone else or actually go watch his games instead of always being at the North Gwinetets game you would see this kid is a STUD.
CreeksideSeminoles
November 8th, 2009
10:16 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG7THnEYx3M
Rammer Jammer
November 8th, 2009
11:26 pm
I have seen Sims, Shaw and Uzomah play in person this year and will get to see Mason this week.
My feeling on the 3 I have seen is this. 1) Uzomah Can play D1 at QB 2) Sims will be a Db at Bama 3) Shaw Though I think he is a good HS QB he in my opinion is NOT a D1 QB
Hope Mason is all they say he is when I watch him this week.
BLACKGOLD
November 9th, 2009
4:48 am
GO PURPLE HURRICANES !!!!!!!!! REGION 1 AA CHAMPS # 2 SEED (10-0) LOTTO #’S (#3 , #4 , #11 ,# 24 , #25) PURPLE POWER 1ST RND GREENE C0 2ND RND SWAINSBORO 3RD RND CALHOUN PREDICTION “STATE CHAMPS”
BLACKGOLD
November 9th, 2009
4:51 am
ALL SOUTH GA. TEAMS BRING IT HOME
System Quarterback
November 9th, 2009
10:14 am
Mason is a system QB. Short passes and WR/RB screens every play will work for teams like Hawaii and Texas Tech but not at any SEC school. Why do you think no one has offered him? He’s not fast enough to play another position (like Sims) and he doesn’t have a strong enough arm to make throws at a BCS school. Stats don’t mean squat in high school… Mitch Mustain was a 5* QB a few years ago and put up insane stats in HS, and now he’s third string at USC and hasn’t had any playing time since his freshman year. His best chances are going to a school like Hawaii or Western Michigan where anyone can run the offense… there’s no way he sees the field if he goes to an SEC/ACC school.
What up?
November 9th, 2009
10:44 am
Mason is not a system QB…he can make all the throws necessary to play at a big D1 conference. Just becasue they don’t bomb the ball down the field often has more to do with the fact the screen/shorter passes of 10 yds or so are almost always open. Why would you force a deep throw that could possibly be picked off when you can get 8 or 9 yds on a play and keep the clock and chains moving?
Calhoun Fan
November 9th, 2009
10:51 am
Nash Nance… and he does it without good receivers
Eddie L. Adams
November 9th, 2009
6:07 pm
I will have to say Blake Sims because the revolution of QB has changed!! QB’s are not just drop back passer!! They moved around the pocket which keeps the linebackers thinking!! Blake Sims will get a better chance at QB for Georgia because there isn’t much competition. At Alabama he has to compete with Phillip Sims as well as Star Jackson!! I’m a ROLL-TIDE DIED HEART FAN just keepin it REAL!!!
burke county 1 fan
November 10th, 2009
11:57 am
TERRELL BRIGHAM FROM BURKE CO. IS HEADED TO CARVER COLUMBUS FRIDAY NITE AND ALL HE HAS DONE THIS SEASON IS THREW FOR OVER (1,000 ) AND RAN FOR ANOTHER ( 1,000 ) AND I TRULY DONT THINK CARVER IS READY FOR A QUARTER BACK OF HIS STANDARDS, HE CAN BREAK AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT AND HAS A ROCKET ARM,AMART,HAS GREAT SIZE AND SPEED, AND HE’S THE REINING CSRA PLAYER OF THE YEAR , BURKE CO. IS 44444 REALLL !!!!! TYRELL BRIGHAM THE BEST QUARTER BACK IVE SEEN SINCE CHARLES JONES LEAD BURKE TO THE AAA CHAMPIONSHIP
burke county 1 fan
November 10th, 2009
12:00 pm
I PREDICT A SIMS VS. BRIGHAM SHOWDOWN , YO MIKE CRVELL U BETTER GET ON THE TRAIN BECAUSE THE FIRST STOP IS IN COLUMBUS WITH A MAJOR DISTRUCTION BY TYRELL BRIGHAM
ART ONEIL
November 10th, 2009
12:28 pm
WHO ARE THESE KIDS HAVE U NOT HEARD OF DREW DAVIS THE 6′5 325 POUND CENTER FROM mabry middle school AND WILLIE J. pOLICE (AKA wErE da pOLiCe At) drew ics commited to chatt tech and will start as a freshman>.Willie j police (aka WeRe DA PolIcE aT IS COMMITED TO aNKORIGE uNIVERSITY IN cANADA).
BLACK GOLD
November 10th, 2009
9:58 pm
CALHOUN YOU GOT LUCKY , BUFORD SORRY YALL ENDED UP IN THE PATH OF THE HURRICANE ;(NOT IDA) FITGERALD
crazy train
November 11th, 2009
2:19 am
come on now that davis kid is only 300 lbs and doesnt have the grades to get into chatt tech
kataifmcgee
November 12th, 2009
2:13 pm
i think the buggs kid from harris co is a beast watch out griffin bears
BulldawgBite
November 12th, 2009
8:17 pm
look at NG’s quarterback Mikey Tamburo he was a system qb. he did not have a great arm but was accurate within 20 yards. that leads to great stats but wont get you to the best schools. he is at boise st. now which is good but he is second string.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
November 16th, 2009
8:13 am
Shaw is the best QB in the state. Throws the best ball on the run I have seen high school or college. You can throw out the records, Shaw’s team is basically rebuilding on the O-line and defense with Cross and Drummond both at Tech now. Sims is the best athlete in the state and will play either DB or WR at Bama. I see him as a Wildcat option in the future.
Nate the Skate
November 16th, 2009
2:10 pm
Miles Gooch of Towers not only has a rocket arm and speed, but is also an outstanding student athlete who is very coachable.
HOOCH FAN
December 12th, 2009
11:38 pm
One of the best overall balanced QB’s was the Chattahoochee QB. The kid can run (ask Collins Hill) and pass. Plus he seems to be durable…6′ 1′, and just under 200 lbs. Just a junior this year – and they did get dropped to AAAA next year. Keeps most of his O Line next year, too.