Area Quarterbacks Top State in Passing

Area quarterbacks claimed the top three spots in the Cal-Hi Sports’ final list of the state’s passing leaders.

Senior Keith Smith of Newbury Park, the Times’ Ventura County back of the year, leads the state with 4,240 yards, followed by Zack Hernandez of L.A. Baptist (3,652) and Mike Kocicka of Hart (2,980). Also among the top 10 are Kevin Crook of Westlake (5th with 2,697) and Brad Norris of Quartz Hill (9th; 2,667). The statistics are supplied by Cal-Hi Sports.

Senior Leodes Van Buren of Newbury Park ranks first among state receivers with 101 catches for 1,667 yards. Jim Romero of L.A. Baptist ranks third with 86 catches for 1,570 yards and Billy Miller of Westlake is fourth with 82 catches for 1,356 yards. Jason Tucker of Newbury Park ranks eighth with 1,321 yards.

In scoring, tailback Wilbert Smith of Montclair Prep ranked second in the state in scoring with 248 points. Buena running back George Keiaho ranked 13th with 180 points.

Newbury Park, fresh off Saturday’s 22-14 victory over Hawthorne for the Southern Section Division III championship, is ranked fifth in Cal-Hi Sports’ final state rankings. Rialto Eisenhower (14-0), Division I champion, is ranked first, followed by Concord De La Salle (13-0) and Fresno Clovis West (14-0).