SPORTS

Top returning Nashville-area high school quarterbacks

Michael Murphy
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

With spring football practice in full swing, here’s a look at some of the top returning Nashville-area quarterbacks for the 2017 high school football season, as ranked by The USA TODAY Network–Tennessee high school sports team.

Footballs
Franklin's Carter Hendry

Carter Hendry

Franklin
Basics: 
5-11, 155, Sr.

Hendry, who split time with teammate Wes Patterson in last year’s two-quarterback system, threw for 827 yards, ran for 578 yards and scored 19 total touchdowns for the Class 6A quarterfinalist Rebels.

► Related: Franklin thrives with two-quarterback system

Hendersonville's Brett Coker

Brett Coker

Hendersonville
Basics: 
6-1, 190, Sr.

In two seasons as the starter, Coker has thrown for 1,416 yards with 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions for the run-first Commandos.

Northwest's Hunter Silverstrim

Hunter Silverstrim

Northwest
Basics:  6-1, 165, Sr.

Silverstrim completed 58 percent of his throws for 1,142 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions a season ago, and the all-region selection also ran for 333 yards and four touchdowns.

Hillwood's Hale Page

Hale Page

Hillwood
Basics:  5-10, 140, Jr.

Son of Hillwood coach Kurt Page is coming off a productive sophomore season in which he threw for 1,779 yards and 17 touchdowns, but the all-region selection was also picked off 17 times.

Henry County senior Savon Stewart

Savon Stewart

Henry County
Basics:  5-10, 160, Sr.

Dual-threat all-region selection threw for 890 yards, ran for 954 yards and scored 20 total touchdowns for last year’s 7-5A runner-up Patriots.

Shelbyville's Grayson Tramel

Grayson Tramel 

Shelbyville
Basics:  6-0, 180 Jr.

Completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,484 yards last season, tossing 16 touchdowns with six interceptions, and the all-region selection added three rushing scores for the 5-5A runner-up Golden Eagles.

Page's Jacob Van Landingham

Jacob Van Landingham

Page
Basics: 5-11, 190, Sr.

All-Region 4-4A selection threw for 1,549 yards, ran for 367 yards and scored 18 total touchdowns for the Patriots last season.

Fairview's Kam Harris-Lusk (right)

Kam Harris-Lusk

Fairview
Basics: 5-10, 165, Jr.

Completed 65 percent of his throws for 1,588 yards with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions, helping lead the Yellow Jackets to their first undefeated regular season since 1990.

Maplewood's Bobo Hodges

Bobo Hodges

Maplewood
Basics: 5-11, 190, Jr.

Two-sport standout completed 88 of 142 passes for 1,608 yards a season ago, firing 16 touchdown with just three interceptions for the Region 5-4A runner-up Panthers.

Related:Maplewood ends Nashville Metro's drought with gold ball

Christ Presbyterian Academy's Ryan Eledge.

Ryan Eledge

Christ Presbyterian Academy
Basics: 6-0, 175, Jr.

Completed 54 percent of his throws for 1,755 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and he also added three rushing scores for the Class 3A semifinalist Lions.

► Related: How CPA improved from 1-5 start to state semifinals

Brentwood's Carson Shacklett

Carson Shacklett

Brentwood
Basics: 6-0, 180, Sr.

Region 7-5A Offensive Most Valuable Player threw for 1,782 yards, ran for 645 yards and scored 33 total touchdowns for the Class 5A semifinalist Bruins.

► Related: Brentwood football has storybook ending within reach

Macon County's Seth Carlisle

Seth Carlisle

Macon County
Basics:  6-1, 205, Sr.

In two seasons as the starter, the two-time all-region selection has thrown for 1,536 yards, rushed for 2,340 yards and scored 52 total touchdowns for the Tigers.

Ensworth's Jaylon King (7)

Jaylon King

Ensworth
Basics:  6-0, 170, Sr.

Dual-threat all-region selection and prized college prospect threw for 1,412 yards, ran for 376 yards and scored 18 total touchdowns for the Division II-AA semifinalist Tigers.

► Related:Early look at top prospects for 2018

Davidson Academy quarterback Stone Norton

Stone Norton

Davidson Academy
Basics:  6-1, 157, Jr.

Strong-armed quarterback completed 169 of 269 attempts for 2,637 yards with 26 touchdown and nine interceptions for the Bears last season.

Pearl-Cohn's Xavier Shepherd (8)

Xavier Shepherd

Pearl-Cohn
Basics: 6-2, 185, Jr.

Dual-threat all-region selection threw for 2,129 yards, ran for 548 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns for the Class 4A semifinalist Firebirds.

► Related: Pearl-Cohn football co-op with M.L. King discussed by TSSAA

Battle Ground Academy's Drew Martin (7)

Drew Martin

Battle Ground Academy
Basics: 6-2, 190, Sr.

Three-star prospect and all-district selection completed 179 of 291 attempts for 2,450 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Wildcats last season.

► Related: How C.J. Beathard went from BGA backup to NFL prospect

Grace Christian's Austin Amor (10)

Austin Amor

Grace Christian
Basics: 5-9, 180, Sr.

Region 4-1A Offensive Most Valuable Player threw for 2,076 yards, ran for 1,043 yards and scored 31 total touchdowns for the Lions last season.

Waverly Central's Gavin Stanfield

Gavin Stanfield

Waverly Central
Basics: 6-0, 165, Jr.

Region 5-2A Most Valuable Player threw for 2,722 yards, rang for 464 yards and scored 31 total touchdowns for the Class 2A semifinalist Tigers.

Marshall County's Bryce Wallace

Bryce Wallace

Marshall County
Basics: 5-11, 165, Jr.

Completed 209 of 291 passes for 2,870 yards with 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and the all-region selection also added four rushing scores for the Class 4A semifinalist Tigers.

► Related:Bo Wallace's new role includes coaching brother

Giles County's John Bachus

John Bachus

Giles County
Basics: 6-0, 210, Sr.

Athens (Ala.) transfer took home Region 4-4A Offensive Player of the Year honors in his first season with the Bobcats, completing 218 of 339 passes for 3,307 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

ReachMichael Murphyatmfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8262 and on Twitter@Murph_TNsports