Top 10 quarterbacks in West Texas high school football

By Chuck Cox

With the Texas high school football season now under way, we are taking a look at some of the top returning players at each position in the West Texas region.

These standout QB1s are coming off of big 2021 campaigns that saw them put up phenomenal numbers across the board for their teams. 

See if you agree with our choices for the elite quarterbacks out West, as we begin another great fall under the Friday night lights.

TOP 10 QUARTERBACKS IN WEST TEXAS

Jett Carroll, 6-0, 160, Sr., Lubbock Coronado

As a junior last season, Carroll put up excellent numbers with 3,179 passing yards and 31 touchdowns to help the Mustangs to a 7-5 finish and a playoff victory over El Paso Bel Air. Midlothian knocked off Coronado in a tight 21-17 area matchup.

Carroll, who is also a baseball standout, is one of seven returning starters on offense for Coronado on the gridiron this season. He has a football offer from Hendrix College and interest from Central Missouri and Montana Tech. Expect his football stock to rise higher in 2022.

Marcos Davila, 6-3, 205, Jr., Midland Legacy

Davila led the Rebels to a 10-2 record and a bi-district playoff win over El Paso Pebble Hills before running into Southlake Carroll in the second round as a sophomore last season.

A pro style QB with stellar accuracy and arm strength, Davila threw for 2,718 yards and 27 touchdowns with just seven interceptions to earn first-team All-District 2-6A honors in 2021.

He is already drawing interest from numerous FBS schools, including Baylor, Indiana, Michigan State, Rutgers, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia. Davila will likely be able to play most anywhere in two years.

Jesse Ramos, 5-11, 180, Sr., El Paso Del Valle

Ramos made his first season on the varsity level count last year, throwing for 1,834 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushing for 409 yards and 14 more scores. That helped the Conquistadores finish 7-4 overall and earn a playoff berth.

With 14 returning starters this season, including Ramos, the Conqs should be in the driver's seat to win District 1-5A Division II. Having a year of experience under his belt could lead to bigger things for Ramos, who is a team captain this season.

Bax Townsend, 6-0, 185, Sr., Lubbock Christian

After transferring from Shallowater last year, Townsend made himself at home with the Eagles, with 2,637 yards and 29 touchdowns through the air, along with 1,265 yards and 24 TDs on the ground.

Lubbock Christian finished 11-2 and grabbed playoff wins over Dallas Shelton and Arlington Pantego before falling to cross-town rival Lubbock Trinity Christian.

Townsend, who is also a track and baseball standout with a 4.0 GPA, will bring valuable experience to his team this season as he leads the offense.

Rodney Hall, 5-10, 175, Sr., Odessa Permian

Another dual-threat quarterback, Hall was all over the field when the Panthers had the ball in 2021.

As a junior, he threw for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns, while rushing for 903 yards and 12 more scores to lead Permian to an 8-4 season that included a 56-28 bi-district victory over El Paso Franklin. Euless Trinity knocked off the Panthers, 28-17, in the second round.

Hall has not committed, but he has offers from Army West Point and FCS program Bucknell. Air Force and Navy are also expressing interest in his services.

Elias Duncan, 6-0, 190, Sr., El Paso Andress

Duncan got the job done with his arm and his legs last season, throwing for 1,522 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also rushing for 874 yards and 10 TDs to lead the Golden Eagles to a 9-3 finish.

Andress beat El Paso Ysleta, 42-6, in bi-district before falling to Wichita Falls Rider, 37-13, the following week.

Duncan, last year's District 2-5A Division II Newcomer of the Year, should be even better this season, and he has a solid front five protecting him in the trenches.

With a year of varsity experience under his belt, his potential is through the roof. That's good news for the Golden Eagles.

Angel Munoz, 6-1, 180, Sr., El Paso Riverside

Munoz shined awfully bright in Sun City in 2021.

As a junior, he dismantled opposing defenses to the tune of 1,998 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns to go along with 1,858 passing yards and 20 more trips to the end zone with a measly three interceptions. Talk about a nose for the end zone.

Those monster numbers led the Rangers to an 11-2 season that included playoff wins over Big Spring and Lake Worth to advance to the regional semifinals, where Springtown ended Riverside's season. So far, Munoz is being recruited by Army West Point and Navy.

He has also competed in the UIL State Track & Field Championships in the hurdles twice.

Mark Moore, 6-2, 200, Jr., El Paso Americas

Another fantastic dual-threat signal-caller in the 915, Moore threw for 1,399 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 986 yards and four more scores to earn first-team All-District 2-6A as a sophomore last season.

Although the youthful Blazers struggled to a 3-7 record, he is one of 15 returning starters this year.

With another two years like his first one as a varsity starter, "Trey" will likely have recruiters beating down his door by the time he is ready to move on to the next level.

Cheno Navarrette, 5-9, 170, Jr., Monahans

A two-way starter at quarterback and cornerback, Navarrette's considerable athleticism was on full display last season.

As a sophomore, he threw for 2,528 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 1,308 rushing yards and 11 more scores to lead los Loboes to a 9-4 record and a trip to the regional semifinals.

That performance, which landed him a spot on the All-District 1-4A Division II first team, is all the more impressive considering that he is also a basketball, track and baseball standout for Monahans as well.

Gael Ochoa, 6-2, 175, Jr., El Paso Pebble Hills

Another super sophomore from 2021, Ochoa tallied 4,387 yards and 31 touchdowns to lead the Spartans to a 6-5 record and a postseason berth.

Although he is not currently being recruited, Ochoa should garner major interest with his size, athleticism and accuracy throwing the ball.

With 14 returning starters, Ochoa and his teammates appear ready to do big things in 2022. He is another junior whose stock should go through the roof in the next couple of seasons.

(Marcos Davila photo by Brian McLean)