Here at GPB Sports, we love football SO much. We’re kinda nerdy about it, actually.

We’re starting a series called “year of the quarterbacks,” where we will profile some of the best quarterbacks from around the great state of Georgia. This year, there is quite the crop of excellent QBs, if we do say so ourselves.

We’re going to kick things off with the AAAAAA State Champs and take a look at their new leader at the helm: Jay Saunders.

Saunders will take over the reigns at quarterback for the 30-0 Colquitt County Packers.

Chase Parrish has led the Pack for the last two years. Perfectly. It’s not an easy job, replacing the guy who never lost a game (no pressure). But that’s the challenge that looms over Jay as he prepares for next season.

Saunders has had a front row seat when it comes to learning from the best. Chase Parrish is not only a great teammate, but also his dear friend.

“Jay is my man. Me and Jay are really good buddies. You don’t always see that between quarterbacks,” Chase Parrish told me in a phone interview.

“I know he’s going to do a fantastic job. He’s learned from the best coaching staff and has the intangibles,” Parrish said.

Sometimes separating a good quarterback from a great quarterback comes down to the intangibles. And part of that means not losing your cool in big moments.

“He’s really levelheaded when things are tough, he knows how to take it the right way and bring his team together and be competitive and victorious,” Parrish continued. 

And he would know a thing or two about keeping your composure in big moments.

Now that the state championship game is in the rearview mirror, Parrish is focusing on what’s next in his career. But that doesn’t mean he’s far from the football field.

Chase will be at the spring game in May (the date is still TBD) but that doesn’t mean he’ll be the commander in chief this time.

“We have to let the guys coming up be the new leaders. We kind of have to hold our tongues a bit,” Parrish said.

But that doesn’t mean he isn’t there to help his friend Jay.

“It’s a lot of pressure honestly [going undefeated]. I felt it my junior year, but really my senior year. Now the pressure is even greater. 45-0. I know he can handle it,” Parrish added.

While I was in Moultrie recently, I had a chance to go one-on-one with Jay and get his thoughts on that daunting task… take a look.

So what kind of quarterback is Jay Saunders? Well, expect him to scramble and do it well. Many onlookers may jump to conclusions about his size (5’10, 160lbs), but don’t underestimate his athleticism and capabilities.

Russell Wilson isn’t all that tall either, but he can make the best defenders in the NFL look foolish.

I’m not saying they’re on the same level- please don’t misunderstand me. Clearly the NFL and high school football are drastically different levels of athletes and competition.

I’m just saying, Wilson is one inch taller (5’11’’) and I’m sure people questioned his capabilities because of his size, too.

Oh wait, they did.

In fact… here’s an NFL draft profile (from NFL.com) about Wilson before he was drafted:

“Wilson’s height will be his biggest inhibitor at the next level and the largest reason for his late-round value.”

He was drafted in the third round and is a Super Bowl Champion.

I’m saying Jay is intelligent and athletic. Not to mention disciplined, dedicated and a hard worker. That’s stuff you can’t teach. 

Don’t take my word for it though, here’s a scouting report from one QB to another…

“[Jay is] very balanced. He’s a fantastic scrambler; he can make a lot of moves on guys in the pocket. He can make guys miss within the pocket and throw it down field with the best of them. He’s been coached so well. He can get out of the pocket and hurt you with his legs, too.”

Those are the words of Chase Parrish.

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