Sims vs. Shaw in showdown of state's top QBs

By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two of the nation's top high school quarterbacks will be on the same field Friday.

It's Gainesville's Blake Sims (committed to Alabama) vs. Flowery Branch's Connor Shaw (South Carolina). Gainesville is ranked No. 1 in Class AAA, while Flowery Branch was last year's state runner-up.

How rare is this quarterback showdown? "I was talking to an old friend who used to recruit for Ohio State," Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said. "He said he'd go through entire states without seeing a major-college quarterback ... and to see two of them from the same county [Hall County] in the same game is something special."

Here's the tale of the tape between the quarterbacks:

Size: Sims had a growth spurt over the summer and stands at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, while Shaw has a nice frame at 6-2, 200. Both will have to add muscle before playing in the SEC. Advantage: Neither.

Statistics: Sims has passed for 1,402 yards and rushed for 449 yards, while producing 31 total touchdowns. Shaw has 2,016 yards passing and 584 yards rushing, along with 37 touchdowns. Advantage: Neither.

Accuracy: Both have only three interceptions. Sims has completed 62 percent of his passes, while Shaw -- in clearly the biggest improvement of his game since last year -- is at an astounding 73 percent. Advantage: Shaw.

Speed: Sims can score from anywhere with his legs, even returning a punt for touchdown. Sims averages 7.7 yards on quarterback keepers. Shaw has deceptive speed, and his "dual threat" athleticism is revered by Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier. Advantage: Sims

Style: Both play in spread offenses and can scramble, which causes major problems for secondaries. When rolling out, Sims often is encouraged by his coach to run -- if there's space, while Shaw tends to wait a little longer for receivers to get open. Advantage: Neither.

Clutch: Sims hasn't been tested yet, rarely playing after halftime, as Gainesville has won by an average of 42 points. Shaw threw the game-winning touchdown pass on the last play of the game vs. West Forsyth. Advantage: Shaw.

Castmates: Sims has WR Tai-Ler Jones (Notre Dame), and if not the state's best defense, then perhaps the No. 1 linebacker duo in A.J. Johnson (Tennessee) and Thomas Sprague. Shaw has sophomore running back Imani Cross (976 yards rushing). Advantage: Sims