Arizona quarterbacks airing it out in the early going

Video: Austin Nuessle's highlights vs. Carson High School
Watch Arizona's passing leader in action.

Two of the state's most prolific passers met up Thursday, but the anticipated matchup between Basha's Ryan Kelley and Desert Mountain's Austin Nuessle never really materialized.
Kelley, an Arizona State recruit, was removed shortly after the game started with an apparent shoulder injury.
It ended a chance for Kelley, who averages 331.8 yards passing a game, the fifth best in Arizona, and Nuessle, who is No. 1 at 406.0 yards a game, to put on a aerial display.
Kelley was given his Under Armour All-American Game jersey earlier in the day and was excited for the game after the coaching staff decided to give him and the offense a chance to pick up the pace on offense.
"It's the same kind of concept," said Kelley, who changed his commitment from Oregon to Arizona State a few months ago. "They are open to letting me to do more of what I want. It's a positive thing. The tempo will be faster. We are going to get on the ball faster, snap the ball faster and score faster."
What quarterback wouldn't love that kind of trust? Kelley has earned it in his three years as a starter for the Bears, who beat Desert Mountain 48-28.
Everyone on this list would likely sign up for that kind of opportunity:

2016 Arizona passing leaders:
Passing yards/per game
1. Austin Nuessle, Desert Mountain (Scottsdale) 406.00
2. Danny Herrera, San Tan Foothills (Queen Creek) 383.3
3. Brock Purdy, Perry (Gilbert) 361.0
4. Nazareth Greer, Marcos de Niza (Tempe) 348.7
5. Ryan Kelley, Basha (Chandler) 331.8

Touchdown passes
1. Jack Miller, Scottsdale Christian Academy (Phoenix) 21
2. Jared Wood, Florence 14
3. Nick Hershey, Gilbert Christian (Gilbert) 13
4. Gunner Bundrick, Bradshaw Mountain (Prescott Valley) 13
5. Jay Vanderjagt, Coronado (Scottsdale) 12
5. Danny Herrera, San Tan Foothills 12

Completion percentage
1. Cole Gerken, Ironwood Ridge (Tucson) .767 (33 of 43)
2. Gunner Cruz, Casteel (Queen Creek) .750 (54 of 72)
3. Devin Larsen, Queen Creek .720 (67 of 93)
4. Caleb Ryden, Mountain View (Tucson) .714 (35 of 49)
5. TJ Daurte, Skyline (Mesa, Ariz.) .704 (38 of 54)


Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for Times Publications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.