The Elite 11: Ranking the top high school quarterbacks on Long Island

What are the relevant characteristics of a successful quarterback?

To give an appropriate and detailed account of what makes a winning quarterback, we surveyed coaches of Long Island’s top signal-callers and what separates them from their peers.

There are a variety of qualities that contribute to a quarterback's overall success. They need leadership qualities to execute the offense. They need poise in pressure situations. Every second counts when surveying the defense and deciding whether one should take off and run or throw a pass. That’s patience, anticipation and having a natural feel for the game.

The skill set includes intelligence, athleticism, arm strength, touch and accuracy.

They are the field generals. Through the first five weeks of the season, we analyzed all the data and came up with this quarterback ranking.

Here is the midseason report.

1. SHANE KIERNAN, MILLER PLACE, SR.

Miller Place is 4-1 in large part because of the passing game. Kiernan has dissected opposing defenses, completing 93 of 127 passes for 1,192 yards and 13 touchdowns. He served notice on Suffolk Division IV in last year’s 41-14 semifinal win over Babylon when he threw for a school-record 421 yards and five touchdowns. 

He has continued to put up big numbers as a senior. He completed 23 of 38 passes for 357 yards and four TDs in a 34-33 win over Glenn.

“He’s an elite facilitator,” Miller Place coach Adam St. Nicholas said. “He’s someone who sees things, and his processing skills are just on another level from anybody I’ve ever coached.”

2. TIM STANLEY, DIVISION, SR.

He zapped life into a program that desperately needed a jump-start. The Blue Dragons had only five wins over the last three years with zero playoff appearances. They are currently 3-2 and ready for a playoff run. And it all centers around Stanley, who sees the field well and throws accurately. He’s completed 94 of 138 passes for a Long Island-leading 1,333 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s passed for at least 225 yards in every game. 

“He throws a great fade with perfect touch that’s indefensible,” Division offensive coordinator Jay Hegi said.

3. PATRICK COAN, SAYVILLE, SR.

Coan packed on some muscle and improved his foot speed in the offseason. The results have been fantastic. He has completed 54 of 72 passes for 805 yards and nine touchdowns with no interceptions. He can also scramble, adding 459 yards and eight TDs on the ground. Here's a cool stat: Coan has rushed for and thrown for at least one touchdown in every game as Sayville is off to a 5-0 start.

“He’s truly a dual-threat quarterback,” Sayville coach Rob Hoss said. “He leads our team in rushing and runs with power.”

His signature game came against Smithtown West. He completed 11 of 20 passes for 190 yards and a TD and had 21 carries for 106 yards and three TDs in a 30-21 win.

4. SIMON BLISSETT, NORTHPORT, SR.

One of the wonderful storylines this season has been the emergence of Blissett. He has Northport off to a 5-0 start, including a 55-21 win over defending champion Hills East. He threw for 261 yards and four touchdowns in that win. He has thrown for 14 touchdowns. ’

“Simon is a really smart quarterback,” Northport coach Pat Campbell said. “He can run it 60 yards or throw it 60 yards on any given play.”

5. SHANE HARMON, OCEANSIDE, SR.

Another quarterback with tremendous arm strength, Harmon gives the Sailors an opportunity to win in the upper echelon of Nassau I. He passed for 335 yards and six touchdowns in his team’s 64-57 loss to Farmingdale. He has shown the ability to evade the rush, scan the field and make the quick throw for the 3-2 Sailors.

“He makes good decisions and takes care of the football,” Oceanside coach Rob Blount said. “He’s a three-year starter with a ton of knowledge and experience.”

6. HUDSON PHILBRICK, WARD MELVILLE, JR.

A complete quarterback in every sense, he sees the field well and can throw it deep. He has the Patriots off to a 5-0 start with their eyes on another Suffolk I title. He masterfully operates a Patriots offense that has dominated through five games. He’s completed 33 of 44 passes for 710 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was 10-for-13 for 215 yards and two scores in the Patriots’ 42-13 win over Sachem North. 

7. CHASE SAMELSON, LYNBROOK, SR.

He has Lynbrook in the thick of the playoff race. His breakout game came in a 45-35 loss to first-place Plainedge as he completed 19 of 35 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 51 yards and a TD. He has thrown for 1,024 yards and 11 touchdowns in leading Lynbrook to a 4-1 start.

“Chase is the epitome of what a great quarterback at any level should be — a guy who elevates the play of those around him,” Lynbrook coach David Yaker said. “Each week it’s a different guy having a great game, and the ball is shared and spread out.”

8. JAXSON TORRES, PLAINEDGE, JR.

His raw statistics won’t shake you, but his game will. Torres has a cannon and quick release and can knife passes into small windows. He rarely plays the second half of most games as Plainedge (5-0) has dominated Nassau IV. He’s completed 19 of 27 passes for 529 yards and six touchdowns.

“He has a great football IQ,” Plainedge coach Rob Shaver said. “He’s like having another coach on the field. And his arm separates him from every other quarterback in Nassau County.”

9. JACK RAO, ISLIP, SR.

He is proof that a shorter quarterback can not only excel from the pocket, but he can dominate. The 5-9 athlete has been efficient, completing 82 of 109 passes for 1,246 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead Islip to a 4-1 start. He’s thrown for more than 300 yards twice this season, including a 371-yard, four TD performance in a 34-22 win over Hauppauge. He also ran for 75 yards and a score in that win.

10. BRAYDEN ROBERTIELLO, GARDEN CITY, SR.

He is another field general at Garden City that takes care of the ball and doesn’t make mistakes. That’s how you help a dynasty continue to add to its Long Island-record winning streak. He has completed 21 of 30 passes for 411 yards and seven touchdowns — mostly in first-half action as the Trojans (5-0) continue to dominate. Robertiello is 17-0 as the starter.

“He is a proven leader,” Garden City coach Dave Ettinger said. “He did well last year and this year he’s been great.”

11. LUKE GARGUILO, MASSAPEQUA, JR.

He stepped into the starting role for the two-time Class I defending champions and the offense didn’t miss a beat. Despite heavy graduation and a potential rebuild, Garguilo steadied the ship and has led them to a 5-0 start. He completed 40 of 49 passes for 640 yards and 10 touchdowns. His best game of the season was in a 36-33 win over Oceanside, as he completed 11 of 17 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 125 yards and a TD on 13 carries.

“He’s a quietly confident kid who takes the position very seriously,” Massapequa coach Kevin Shippos said.