Ranking the top five quarterbacks on Denton-area high school football teams

The 11 UIL squads across the Denton Record-Chronicle’s coverage area return plenty of high-level talent despite each sustaining some key losses in one manner or another. A new group of players aim to make their mark this fall and write a new chapter in their respective programs’ histories.

As the offseason progresses, the Record-Chronicle is highlighting some of the top local players in seven main position groups — quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs.

The series starts today as we look at the area’s best quarterbacks.

State of the position

A significant chunk of the area’s top quarterback talent returns this season, looking to build on last year’s successes.

The biggest departure is Lake Dallas quarterback Cade Bortnem, who was named the 2023 All-Area Football Most Valuable Player after leading the Falcons to a 10-2 season and their first playoff win since 2017. Argyle’s John Gailey and Guyer’s Logan McLaughlin had their senior seasons impacted by injury despite making some solid contributions, while Pilot Point’s Aiden Hamblin and Braswell’s Nicholas Johnson graduated as well.

As mentioned above, though, this year’s core of talent features plenty of last year’s top players alongside some promising new additions to the fray.

Let’s take a look at some of the area’s top QBs.

The rankings

Honorable mention

A few players just missed the top-five cutoff but could still make significant impacts with their squads this fall.

Braeden Mussett helped fuel Ryan’s growth as the 2023 season progressed, playing some quarterback and doing a bit of everything on his way to All-Area Utility Player of the Year honors. His recovery from an injury suffered in the Raiders’ playoff loss to Abilene led to Quin Henigan getting many of the first-team reps in the spring, however. It’s unclear who the starting QB will be at this point, but what is clear is that Ryan has some strong options at the spot.

Lake Dallas has the unenviable task of replacing Bortnem, a consistent starter each of the last two seasons, but Thomas Adams impressed as the Falcons’ quarterback during the 7-on-7 season in helping them reach the state tournament once again. The junior, who transferred in from Little Elm, could be in for a big season leading Lake Dallas’ typically potent offense in 2024.

Jeremiah Shipp is also back for Braswell after seeing time at both quarterback and running back last season. The senior ran for 817 yards and nine touchdowns last season while attempting just 39 passes but could help lead the Bengals’ offense more from the quarterback spot this fall as they aim to break through for a playoff berth in 2024.

5. Reed Sebastian, Sanger, Jr.

Sebastian put together a solid debut season as the Indians’ starting quarterback last year, weathering some ups and downs amid a tough 2-8 campaign for the program.

The rising junior threw for 1,753 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year as a sophomore completing just under 54% of his pass attempts. He was among many young players that stepped into key roles for Sanger last season after the loss of a sizable senior class.

Now, Sebastian looks poised to help lead the way for one of the largest returning cores in the state with 20 of 22 starters slated to return for the Indians.

4. Tyson Price, Ponder, Jr.

Price is one of the area’s top returning quarterbacks after emerging as an impact newcomer for the Lions last fall having transferred in from Valley View.

The junior is coming off an impressive season where he threw for 1,985 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions, ran for 308 yards and six touchdowns and also made some contributions defensively. Price now has two years of varsity experience under his belt after starting as a freshman at Valley View, too, making him a seasoned returner for Ponder.

The 2023 All-Area Offensive Newcomer of the Year could be in for another big season in 2024 as he aims to help the Lions take another step forward and break through for their first playoff berth since 2016.

3. Ty Taber, Krum, Sr.

Taber is another of the area’s experienced returners having started at quarterback for the Bobcats each of the past two seasons.

The senior played a crucial part in Krum earning its first playoff berth since 2016 last season with a postseason-clinching win over Gainesville in the regular season finale. Taber threw for 2,180 yards and 25 touchdowns alongside running for 236 yards and four more scores, breaking Krum single-season records in both passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Now, he has a shot to build on that production and help the Bobcats take the next step from last year’s success in 2024.

2. Kevin Sperry, Guyer, Sr.

Sperry looks poised to be the latest highly touted quarterback to come through Guyer’s program after transferring in from Oklahoma City Carl Albert this spring.

The senior is rated a four-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite with scholarship offers to a variety of top-level college football programs and is committed to Oklahoma. He threw for 2,564 yards, 31 touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for 563 yards and 11 more scores last year, leading Carl Albert to a 14-0 season and Oklahoma 5A state championship.

Now, Sperry looks likely to lead the way for Guyer this fall in his final high school season, though promising sophomore Zephyr Kreye has impressed as well.

1. Maguire Gasperson, Argyle, Jr.

Gasperson helped a young Eagles squad grow from a bumpy start to the season last fall on their way to the third round of the playoffs.

The now junior signal caller was impressive in throwing for 1,469 yards and 18 touchdowns across just eight games at quarterback after stepping in for the injured Gailey, including a standout performance in Argyle’s narrow win over Frisco Emerson. Gasperson played a key part in Argyle’s 10-game winning streak in the wake of an 0-2 start against tough competition before their narrow playoff loss to Colleyville Heritage.

Now, he’s poised to be one of several key returners for the Eagles as they aim to meet the program’s perennially high standards.