Sporting Times’ Top Five Quarterbacks
By Perry Swack
With many new faces starting at quarterback across the Greater Bowling Green Area, our top five play-callers have one thing in common and that is that they are all seniors. A senior quarterback is something that coaches, players, and fans alike love to have on their team. In the sports world, seniors are always expected to lead because by nature of the term they are the oldest players on the team. In the world of football, quarterbacks are also expected to lead. A quarterback is often considered to be the coach on the field and is the player that all the teammates look too for leadership. Therefore, when a team has a senior quarterback it is able to enjoy the best of both worlds. A veteran who has experience coupled with the attitude and leadership of a quarterback that creates the opportunity for something special to happen. Take a look at some of the “special” quarterbacks this region has to offer.
5. Chris Porter-Bunton, Warren Central Last Season: NR
Comment: The wide receiver-turned-quarterback actually finished fourth in our top-five wide receivers rankings last season before making the switch to quarterback in 2013. Porter-Bunton caught 35 passes for nearly 600 yards and 8 touchdowns at the wide-out position. He also completed two passes in 2012 and if his success is any indication as to how he will perform this season, there will be many happy Dragon fans in the stands. Porter-Bunton completed two of two passes for only 34 yards, but both of his passes went for touchdowns. In this year’s season opener against Madisonville-North Hopkins, he struggled somewhat, completing only 6 of 15 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. However, he did rush for 54 yards and a score. Porter-Bunton’s pure athleticism makes him a dangerous threat on the football field and once he settles into his new position I expect him to perform well.
4. Barrett Croslin, Russellville Last Season: NR
Comment: The Panthers’ Croslin will begin his third season as the starting quarterback after having a fine season in 2012. The senior threw for over 800 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for nearly 500 more yards. After finishing the year with an 8-4 record and a second round playoff loss, Croslin hopes to lead the Panthers further in 2013. The new year got off to a great start with a 41-21 win on the road at Trigg County. Croslin threw for a touchdown in the victory while leading the troops and will hope to do much of the same throughout this season.
3. Jay Eblen, South Warren Last Season: NR
Comment: The South Warren play-caller had an excellent start to his senior season as the Spartans dispatched Warren East, 35-0. Eblen completed 8 of 12 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 100 yards and another score on the ground. This breakout game came after a successful 2012 season in which the then-junior threw for over 1400 yards in the air with 15 touchdowns and 700 yards in the air with 12 more scores. After winning the school’s first district championship, Eblen and the Spartans won’t be able to sneak up on any teams this fall.
2. Josh Dyer, Greenwood Last Season: 3
Comment: Dyer had an outstanding junior season at Greenwood as the quarterback threw for over 2300 yards and 25 touchdowns. His statistics set new Gator passing records as the team went on to finish the year at 8-3. Expectations are certainly high for Dyer and Greenwood, but the senior and his teammates struggled in the season opener, losing to Hopkinsville by a score of 35-6. The quarterback did not put together his best performance, completing only 4 of 19 passes for 88 yards; however, a number of those incomplete passes were accredited to drops. Either way, you can expect Dyer to respond with strong performances in the near future as the Gators get on track under first-year head coach Chris Seabolt.
1. Devin Hayes, Bowling Green Last Season: 1
Comment: Hayes picked up right where he left of in 2012 in the Purples’ commanding 48-21 victory over Lexington Catholic at the Rafferty’s Bowl to kick off the 2013 season. The senior completed 8 of 14 passes for 167 yards and four touchdown passes. All four touchdowns went to WKU commit Nacarius Fant, who ended his day with 147 receiving yards. Hayes looked crisp in the season opener after completing 60% of his passes a season ago for nearly 2700 yards and a school-record 40 touchdown passes. He looks to be on pace for yet another standout season in purple and gold.
