2019 Frontier Conference Football Preview Series: Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks have always been at the forefront of college football. And it's no different in the Frontier Conference.

Take 2018 for example.

Rocky Mountain College's stellar run to the Frontier title, and the NAIA playoffs, was in large part due to the right arm of senior star Jacob Bakken, who had a breakout campaign, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns. That performance not only helped the Bears reach the playoffs, but it earned Bakken Frontier Player of the Year honors and a spot on the NAIA All-American Team.

And, as the 2019 season approaches, a slew of Frontier squads are hoping for similar fortunes from the quarterback position.

At the top of that list is the College of Idaho. The Yotes, who were picked to win the league title this coming season, return one of the best in the business at the NAIA level in dual-threat senior Darius-James Peterson. Peterson burst onto the scene his freshman year, but more as a runner. However, he has steadily progressed over time, and while he's still a homer threat with his feet, as he's rushed for over 2,000 yards in his brilliant C of I career, his passing game has improved so much that he comes into his final campaign as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. A year ago, Peterson rushed for over 800 yards, but he also put up 1,998 yards and 15 TDs through the air and, with a season to go, he certainly has the nod as the most electrifying player in the Frontier let alone the QB position.

"I think he's a unique talent," Yotes' head coach Mike Moroski said during Frontier Conference Media Day. "I think he's a great competitor and a physical specimen. He's 5-10, but he's fast, he's strong, he's instinctive, he can throw, he can run."

Peterson isn't the only talent returning to the Frontier at QB this season, though.

While Bakken has graduated from RMC, new head coach Chris Strutzreim didn't inherit a bare cupboard. Senior Drew Korf, who threw five touchdowns a year ago and has seen extensive time under center for the Battlin' Bears, returns, as does hometown star Nate Dick. The former Montana Gatorade Player of the Year from Billings, started his career at the University of Montana but transferred to RMC last season, playing a host of positions for the Bears before settling into a QB battle with Korf for the upcoming season.

Eastern Oregon also returns the Frontier leader in total offense from a year ago in junior Kai Quinn. He's entering his third year as the Mounties' starter, and much like Peterson, Quinn is a true dual-threat talent. A year ago, he threw for 2,952 yards and 15 scores, while leading the league in total offense.

Montana Western head coach Ryan Nourse also has a star in the making in sophomore Jon Jund. Jund started all 10 games for the Bulldogs as a freshman last year, throwing for 2,510 yards and 14 TDs.

Southern Oregon's roster also has its starter returning. Wyatt Hutchinson had big shoes to fill last season, so the Raiders relied heavily on their ground game in what was an up-and-down season. Still, Hutchinson threw for 2,241 yards and 11 scores in his sophomore campaign and should he win the starting job again this season, he should be much more comfortable in the SOU offense.

And while there are teams who have plenty of firepower at the quarterback position this fall, others are in search mode as camps begin.

The Montana State University-Northern Lights, of head coach Andrew Rolin, had red-shirt freshman Brendan Medina taking first-team reps all spring, and during that time, Rolin was impressed with his progress. The Lights will also have two true-freshmen on the roster so after senior Tommy Wilson had a strong 2018 campaign for the Lights, whichever direction Rolin goes this season, the Lights are going to be young and green under center.

The same can be said for two Frontier traditional powerhouses, as well.

Sophomore Jet Campbell started six games for Montana Tech last season, as the Orediggers struggled to replace star QB Quinn McQueary. And while Campbell is officially listed as a WR on Tech's roster, he and sophomore Brandon Battle are the only returning players with any quarterback experience.

New Carroll College head coach Troy Purcell does have some experience returning at the QB position, with junior Kolby Killoy back. The Fighting Saints have had their issues in the passing game, as well, in recent years, and whether it's Killoy, or someone else from the roster, that's an area where Purcell, who will coach the QBs, will want to improve upon this coming season.

And still, whether it's a team like C of I with a star signal-caller, or a team like the Lights or Orediggers, who will have to build the position from youth, one thing is for sure, the Frontier is going to be an exciting league to watch for the quarterback position.

Editor's Note: This is the first installment in the Havre Daily News' annual series on the top players in the league at each position. For a look at the defensive linemen, see Tuesday's HDN.