10 Utah high school football quarterbacks to watch in 2013

It takes a special breed of player to emerge as a dominant quarterback. Being handed the keys to run an offense is one thing. Turning from game manager to star is another.

Many of the elite teams in Utah high school football a season ago rose to their lofty positions through skills and play-making abilities showcased under center.

2013 promises to be another season where multiple quarterbacks dominate the spotlight in Utah. These 10 quarterbacks are just a few in another bumper crop of elite signal callers:

10 Utah Quarterbacks to Watch in 2013

1. Austin Kafentzis, Jordan (Sandy). 6-1, 195, Junior
Kafentzis verbally committed to Wisconsin this summer. Badger fans have to be salivating at his arrival in Madison in 2015. His mobility as a dual-threat QB is unmatched. Kafentzis threw for 2,860 yards and 31 touchdowns on 190 of 294 passes while leading Jordan to the Class 5A state title last season. He also ran for 1,689 yards and 23 touchdowns on 221 carries. If that isn't enough, the junior set a Class 5A record in the javelin throw as a freshman — going 190 feet. Kafentzis has been named the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year and the MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year during his high school career.

2. Chipper Lucero, Alta (Sandy). 6-2, 195, Senior
Lucero figures to have a spectacular senior campaign after what he accomplished a year ago. He threw for 3,414 yards and 37 touchdowns on 227 of 360 passes as a junior. His top target, Ammon Barker, has graduated but the Hawks return other strong receiving threats to give Lucero plenty of targets downfield. Leading that group will be Mack Richards, who tallied 887 yards and 11 touchdowns on 60 receptions in 2012.

3. Isaac Valles, East (Salt Lake City). 6-0, 180, Senior
The Leopards' powerful triple-option attack is at its best with a player like Valles at the controls. He fits the blueprint for an option quarterback perfectly. Valles makes the entire offensive engine hum because he can throw it deep as needed. He had 1,189 yards and 14 touchdowns on 56-for-116 passing as a junior. Valles also tallied 844 yards and 11 touchdowns on 149 carries — with 100 plus yards on the ground against Herriman and Highland. He is the first two-year starter at QB under East coach Brandon Matich and should be even more effective after adding muscle and strength during the summer.

4. Jason Money, Spanish Fork. 6-2, 176, Junior
Money is the latest in a line of excellent quarterbacks for the Dons. He quickly proved his worth as a sophomore starter last season. Money passed for 2,768 yards and 26 touchdowns on 205 of 351 passing in 2012. He also rushed for 491 yards and 4 touchdowns on 86 carries. Count on seeing those numbers rise across the board now Money has a full season's worth of experience running the varsity offense.

5. Baron Gajkowski, Lone Peak (Highland). 6-3, 217, Senior
Gajkowski came to the Knights as a transfer from Jordan following his sophomore season in 2011. He immediately made a name for himself at quarterback. Gajkowski threw for 2,204 yards and 19 touchdowns and ran for 1,155 yards and 13 touchdowns. In nine victories Lone Peak had a season ago, Gajkowski averaged nearly 300 yards of total offense and around three touchdowns.

6. Nate Kusuda, Northridge (Layton). 6-1, 166, Senior
How many quarterbacks begin their varsity career by throwing consecutive touchdown passes? Kusada accomplished such a feat with the Knights a year ago. His fast start translated into a strong overall junior season. Kusuda ended up throwing for 2,226 yards and 15 touchdowns on 156 of 270 for Northridge.

7. Cole Nelson, Juan Diego Catholic (Draper). 6-1, 195, Senior
Nelson gets his chance to shine directing the Soaring Eagle option attack full time. If he plays anything like he does on defense, it will mean great things for Juan Diego. Playing at safety last season, Nelson tallied 42 tackles, two fumble recoveries and five interceptions — including one he returned for a touchdown. Nelson will bring some experience to quarterback after making a handful of starts in 2012. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns and added 306 yards and five scores on the ground.

8. Braxton Godderidge, Sky View (Smithfield). 5-11, 156, Senior
Godderidge got a taste of how sweet a state title feels when he led the Bobcats to a Class 4A title in boys basketball earlier this year. Now he hopes to do the same in football. Godderidge certainly has the goods to punish defenses. He threw for 2,831 yards and 22 touchdowns on 196 of 336 passes during his junior season.

9. Hunter Evans, Layton. 6-1, 190, Senior
Evans endured some struggles after being thrown into the fire as a sophomore. He took over as a starter four games into a 3-7 season for the Lancers. That experience helped Evans enjoy a breakout season in 2012. He threw for 2,169 yards and 14 touchdowns on 154 of 305 passes after accounting for just 675 yards and two touchdowns through the air a year earlier.

10. Jeff Rowley, Juab (Nephi). 6-0, 160, Senior
If Rowley can hold off a challenge from Nick Robins for the starting job, he has the tools to build on a promising junior season. The former kicker passed for 2,117 yards and 23 touchdowns on 154 of 295 passing while directing the Wasps' offense. Rowley will need an even bigger senior season to help Juab get back to the playoffs after the team missed out a year ago.

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps.com. He is a former prep sports reporter with the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com.