A season that began with a slow orbit around the sun of Cutter Boley has evolved into a revelation of superior depth and substance at the quarterback position in the junior class.

There are more than six great quarterbacks in the ‘25 class, but the half dozen highlighted here were chosen for their exemplary play this season coupled with the fact that they're still pursuing championships.

I don't know that I've ever seen a season with this much quality and production coming from quarterbacks not yet eligible for Mr. Football. 

 

Brady Atwell (Owensboro Catholic)

236/323 (72.5%) for 3,600 yards and 56 touchdowns with 6 interceptions | 469 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns 

At 6’3” and 225 pounds, Atwell is built like a tank and has a right arm that could, at times, be mistaken for a long range artillery gun. Brady is the nephew of 1999 Mr. Football Travis Atwell. He needs five more touchdowns - passing or running -  to equal his uncle's total of 72, achieved during his award winning season. If he does his thing against Green County, he might have family bragging rights by Thanksgiving. 

Brady Atwell Highlights

 

Photo by Alan Warren of the Messenger-Enquirer.

 

Deuce Bailey (Bowling Green) 

196/282 (69.5%) for 2,956 yards and 35 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 5 rushing touchdowns

The best pure athlete of the six, and takes a back seat to no one when it comes to arm talent. Less leg work this season with more focus on refining his abilities as a passer. Excels at extending plays and delivers the ball accurately on the run, from different arm slots, and off his back foot. 

Deuce Bailey Highlights

 

Photo by the Sporting Times.

 

Kade Elam (Corbin)

138/188 (73.4%) for 2,344 yards and 26 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 215 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns 

Statistically, the quietest of this group. But he might be the only one with D1 offers in multiple sports. He's a baseball commit to UofL and has an offer from EKU for football. Elam is 25-1 as a starter with 82 total touchdowns and just five picks over the last two years.

Kade Elam Highlights

 

Photo courtesy of Elam's twitter.

 

Clay Hayden (Beechwood)

168/227 (74%) for 3,190 yards and 40 touchdowns with 5 interceptions | 1 rushing touchdown

The only quarterback here with a championship ring. Hayden leads the state in completion percentage. He's so accurate, his nickname should be William Tell ?. Already one of the greatest passing seasons in Beechwood history, with much more still on the table.

Clay Hayden Highlights

 

Photo by Dan Rieffer for LINK nky.

 

Jack James (Paducah Tilghman)

225/324 (68.1%) for 3,615 yards and 51 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 243 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns 

Everything has clicked this year for James and the Tornado. He's made great strides on his own and he sits behind the wheel of a million dollar Maserati offense that leads the state in scoring. We're witnessing one of the great individual seasons in Tilghman history. He's already the school's all-time leader in passing touchdowns. 

Jack James Highlights

 

Photo by Jared Jensen for the Paducah Sun.

 

Luke Pennington (Sayre)

155/223 (69.5%) for 2,334 yards and 47 touchdowns with 0 interceptions | 1 rushing touchdown

Mr. Perfect. Say what you want about the schedule, but that many touchdown passes with zero picks is one of the most impressive statistical feats we'll see this year. You have to question if it's ever been accomplished before. Dad was a Heisman finalist and eleven year pro. Older brother earned his first career start last week for Marshall University. 

Luke Pennington Highlights

 

Photo by Will Jones for 10thRegion.com.

 

Combined Record: 68-4

Combined TD/Int. Ratio: 255 to 21

Combined Completion Percentage: 71%

They've set the bar incredibly high. So high, in fact, they could be special again next year and still not reach the heights of 2023.

Nice work DMC!  I enjoyed reading that. Will be interesting to see how this group moves forward this year or not. 

Nice post!

Clay Hayden last night versus Martin County:

17 / 18, 300 yards, 6 TD  

I will add, this isn't a short, quick hit passing game. Multiple passes of 20 yards or more.

Great Post! Pennington Finishes his Junior year with 50 TD’s and 0 INT’s! Idc who you play that’s tough! 

16 minutes ago, Hard Work said:

Great Post! Pennington Finishes his Junior year with 50 TD’s and 0 INT’s! Idc who you play that’s tough! 

Agree!

Great improvement from last year when he had 9 INT's.

What are Pennington’s offers?

Updated Statistics

Brady Atwell (Owensboro Catholic)

245/337 (73%) for 3,751 yards and 60 touchdowns with 6 interceptions | 565 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns

 

Deuce Bailey (Bowling Green)

206/294 (70%) for 3,053 yards and 39 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 6 rushing touchdowns

 

Clay Hayden (Beechwood)

185/245 (75%) for 3,490 yards and 46 touchdowns with 5 interceptions | 1 rushing touchdown

 

Jack James (Paducah Tilghman)

242/349 (69%) for 3,831 yards and 55 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 256 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns

 

Season's Complete

Kade Elam (Corbin)

149/210 (71%) for 2,443 yards and 27 touchdowns with 3 interceptions | 267 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns

 

Luke Pennington (Sayre)

171/252 (68%) for 2,555 yards and 50 touchdowns with 0 interceptions | 1 rushing touchdown

Atwell's 60 touchdown passes places him 3rd on the all-time single season list. Three more would pass Lexington Catholic's Justin Burke for 2nd place. 

He passed Drew Hartz for the Owensboro Catholic school record last week. Holding that record at that school is quite an accomplishment. O-Cath quarterbacks are all over the record books.

It looks like Clay Hayden and Jack James own the school record at Beechwood and Tilghman, respectively. 

Deuce Bailey has the most passing yards in Purples history.  He passed Devin Hayes earlier this season!

3 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

Atwell's 60 touchdown passes places him 3rd on the all-time single season list. Three more would pass Lexington Catholic's Justin Burke for 2nd place. 

He passed Drew Hartz for the Owensboro Catholic school record last week. Holding that record at that school is quite an accomplishment. O-Cath quarterbacks are all over the record books.

It looks like Clay Hayden and Jack James own the school record at Beechwood and Tilghman, respectively. 

Being second all time in a single season will be quite the feat and probably as good as it will ever get. Corey Robinson’s single season record is virtually unbreakable.

5 minutes ago, Astro Domino said:

Corey Robinson’s single season record is virtually unbreakable.

I believe that record is still tied for #1 all-time, nationally. Just four interceptions for Robinson that year. He was playing Madden on rookie.

3 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

Atwell's 60 touchdown passes places him 3rd on the all-time single season list. Three more would pass Lexington Catholic's Justin Burke for 2nd place. 

He passed Drew Hartz for the Owensboro Catholic school record last week. Holding that record at that school is quite an accomplishment. O-Cath quarterbacks are all over the record books.

It looks like Clay Hayden and Jack James own the school record at Beechwood and Tilghman, respectively. 

There are some talented QBs dating back to early 2000s. 

Updated Statistics 2.0

Brady Atwell (Owensboro Catholic)

277/386 (72%) for 4,227 yards and 65 touchdowns with 6 interceptions | 657 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns

• Second most touchdown passes ever in a single season. 

• Eighth most passing yards ever in a single season 

 

Deuce Bailey (Bowling Green)

224/323 (69%) for 3,316 yards and 40 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 8 rushing touchdowns

 

Season's Complete

Kade Elam (Corbin)

149/210 (71%) for 2,443 yards and 27 touchdowns with 3 interceptions | 267 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns

 

Clay Hayden (Beechwood)

210/288 (73%) for 3,910 yards and 48 touchdowns with 7 interceptions | 1 rushing touchdown

• Tied for fifth highest completion percentage in a single season 

 

Jack James (Paducah Tilghman)

255/375 (68%) for 4,019 yards and 56 touchdowns with 6 interceptions | 247 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns

 

Luke Pennington (Sayre)

171/252 (68%) for 2,555 yards and 50 touchdowns with 0 interceptions | 1 rushing touchdown

Half of these guys are still playing.  I thought Corbin QB was a senior this year.  Great future for all of them