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While running the football continues to be a staple of high school football in Southwest Virginia, several quarterbacks have emerged as not only field generals, but critical pieces to offensive scoring.

These signal-callers serve as dual threats in the backfield, being able to throw downfield and take off running when needed, either as powerful ball carriers who are hard to bring down or elusive runners who can evade tackles.

Here are seven of those quarterbacks to watch this season.

David Cook, Bassett

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior has the ability to throw the ball downfield for big yardage. He can roll out of the pocket, avoid sacks and find open receivers well after the snap. That athleticism also helps him pull down the ball and pick up first downs with his feet.

Cook put up a solid sophomore season last year, throwing for 1,393 yards and 10 touchdowns on 84-of-167 passing, against four interceptions. He also rushed for 457 yards on 64 carries, and average of over 7 yards per attempt, and scored a dozen touchdowns. He’s liable to pass and and run, especially in the red zone.

Brody Dawyot, Glenvar

An elite passer in not just Southwest Virginia but the entire state, the reigning All-Timesland first-team quarterback can do it all. Where he stands out, however is his ability to throw confidently under pressure and hit tight windows in pass coverage.

A towering 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Dawyot committed to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in June, but recently picked up an offer from UVa. He finished his junior campaign just 36 yards shy of 3,000 yards on 197-of-331 passing, an average of over 15 yards per completion, against eight picks. He also ran for 700 yards on 112 carries with another dozen touchdowns.

He is the defending Region 2C Player of the Year after leading the Highlanders to the Class 2 state semifinals, adding a school record 18 sacks at defensive end and averaging 40 yards as the team’s punter on 34 kicks. He will no doubt have unfinished business as Glenvar looks to reach the state championship game for the first time since 2014.

Jycer Preston, William Fleming

While mainly a field general for the Colonels’ I-formation, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior can throw out of the shotgun and connect with receivers on shorter routes than turn into long touchdown plays.

Preston threw for 1,083 yards on 73-of-122 passing with 13 touchdowns. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, he made Fleming’s offense a triple threat by being able to run the ball himself or hand it off to a running back or fullback. He picked up 330 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

With All-Timesland Player of the Year Malachi Coleman, a 2,000-yard running back now at Syracuse, graduated, Preston should have an elevated role under center.

Des Jordan, Alleghany

The 6-foot, 180-pound southpaw has an elusiveness that keeps plays alive, whether that’s avoiding sacks in the backfield and finding time to hit open receivers or spinning off first contact while running downfield.

Jordan, an All-Timesland second team selection, completed 169 of 222 passes for a very efficient 76% clip, amassing 2,569 yards with 34 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He added 547 rushing yards on 91 carries and another 16 touchdowns, earning Three Rivers District Offensive Player of the Year honors.

The senior has garnered Division I offers from Cornell, Maine, VMI and Georgetown. He’ll see largely new competition this season as the Cougars move to the Shenandoah District from the Three Rivers District. Instead of facing Glenvar, Radford and Floyd County, he’ll face the likes of Staunton, Wilson Memorial and Riverheads.

Cannin Lutz, William Byrd

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior is a decisive pocket-passer who can hit multiple receivers. He can adjust quickly when a play breaks down by rolling out and finding downfield targets, and will even take off running when space is open.

As a first-year starter, Lutz led the Terriers to back-to-back Region 3D championships, throwing for over 2,000 yards on 139-of-225 passing with 26 touchdowns. He tacked on three rushing scores as well and was a unanimous first team all-region selection.

With a plethora of weapons returning, William Byrd should once again be a threat to win the Blue Ridge District and Region 3D with Lutz leading the offense.

Sam Szefc, Blacksburg

The 6-foot, 165-pound junior is the right man to execute the Bruins’ offense, coupling their run game with an ability to connect on short passes.

Szefc helped lead Blacksburg to its first four-win season since 2019 last year with 1,011 passing yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore. With his running back, a Division I recruit, returning, the Bruins offense should be more dynamic with Szefc under center.

Mason Williams, Â黨ÊÓƵ Catholic

The 6-foot, 153-pound sophomore slung the ball as the Celtics freshman starter, tallying 1,360 yards on 94-of-156 passing in just nine games, tossing 16 touchdowns.

He also ran in five touchdowns. Following a promising start to his high school career, look for Williams to develop further as a quarterback.