Southland QBs are statistical standouts on a statewide basis

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Gahr quarterback Corey Nielsen is at the top of the state statistical heap according to figures compiled by MaxPreps.com, but he is hardly the Southland’s only signal-caller putting up impressive numbers as teams head into their final games of the regular season.

Nielsen, a junior, has completed 163 of 243 passes for a state-leading 3,201 yards and a state-best average of 355.7 yards a game. He also has thrown 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

Right behind Nielsen, pictured left, is Chadwick senior Andy Magee, pictured right, who has completed 201 of 290 passes and is second on the list with 3,021 yards. He has thrown for a 44 touchdowns, more than any other on the list, which only includes players from participating schools.

Mater Dei junior Matt Barkley, who has played one less game than Nielsen and Magee because of recent wildfires, ranks fourth with 2,644 yards, and he has 28 touchdowns with six passes intercepted.

Sage Hill senior Jamie McGee is listed sixth with 2,422 yards. He has thrown for 29 scores and had passes intercepted just four times.

The last top-10 passer in The Times’ regions is Los Angeles Jordan junior James Boyd, who has thrown for 2,293 yards and 22 scores and had seveen passes intercepted.

In my book, at least, five out of (the top) 10 ain’t bad.

-- Lauren Peterson

-- Images by Randy Bradley and Bob Chamberlin