Higley (Gilbert, Ariz.) sophomore quarterback Mason Crossland set two state passing records in a 95-75 defeat of Apache Junction on Friday. Photo courtesy of Higley High football.
Mason Crossland wasn’t the opening-game starting quarterback this season for Higley (Gilbert, Ariz.), but once Tyler Bloom went down with a knee injury in the first game of the season, Crossland has filled in pretty well, leading the Knights to a 6-1 record.
On Friday, Crossland completed 23 of 31 yards, tying a state record with nine touchdown passes and setting a state record with 641 passing yards, in a 95-75 defeat of Apache Junction.
“All throughout our summer 7 on 7s, Mason had been coming along with the varsity,” Higley coach Eddy Zubey said. “We knew he was a good quarterback. But, I don’t think you’re ever going to expect somebody to throw nine touchdown passes and for 461 yards.”
Generously listed at 5-7 and 140 pounds, Crossland isn’t fielding any Division I offers, but he’s only a sophomore and handling Higley’s no-huddle offense with aplomb. The curious thing will be next season how the quarterback battle goes between Crossland and Bloom, who is a 6-5 junior and has fielded interest from major colleges.
“Mason doesn’t have Tyler’s height and there are some things that Tyler can do that he can’t, but Mason can make all the throws on the field,” Zubey said. “We don’t run Mason as much because he’s smaller in stature, but he does run every now and then to keep them honest. We get a lot of personal fouls calls for us when he runs because when they tackle him, he’s so short, they usually end up hitting his head.”
Crossland’s game leads our American Family Insurance ALL-USA Performances of the Week. The rest of the top performances:
Jake Browning, quarterback, Folsom, Calif.
Senior, who has committed to Washington, passed for eight touchdowns in a 63-6 defeat of Nevada Union (Grass Valley) on Friday.
David Feldman, soccer, Hamilton, Mont.
Scored five goals and had two assists in a 7-1 defeat of Frenchtown on Thursday.
Sonny Harris, running back, Hillgrove, Powder Springs, Ga.
Senior had 28 carries for 314 yards and eight touchdowns in a 72-46 defeat of North Paulding (Dallas) on Friday.
Sukhi Khosla, cross country, Leon, Tallahassee, Fla.
Senior won the FSU Invitational pre-state race in 14 minutes and 59 seconds.
D’Eriq King, quarterback, Manvel, Texas
Junior passed for 313 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns in a 62-35 defeat of Dawson (Pearland) on Friday.
Matthew Merrick, quarterback, Cistercian Academy, Irving, Texas
Senior completed 20 of 35 passes for 335 yards and eight touchdowns in a 65-49 defeat of St. John’s (Houston) on Friday.
Michelle Monger, volleyball, Fergus, Lewistown, Mont.
Senior had 19 digs, 11 kills and two blocks in a 20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-15 defeat of C.M. Russell (Great Falls) on Thursday.
Will Latimore, running back-defensive back, Walton-Verona, Walton, Kent.
Senior RB-DB returned two interceptions for touchdowns and had five carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a 68-7 win Friday at Gallatin County (Warsaw).
VIDEO: Latimore runs wild against Gallatin County
Noah Peterson, golf, East Longmeadow, Mass.
Sophomore shot a 66 at Franconia Golf Course in Springfield on Friday to win his second consecutive Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Golf Conference title.