High School Football Recruiting Class of 2013

The Concord High School Spiders are undefeated in the 2011 High School football season. The Concord High School Spiders a realistic contender for state championships this year. In 2010 the Concord High School Spiders fought their way to the sectional round of the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs; losing to the later state champs West Rowan High School.

High School Junior quarterback BJ Beecher has worked hard in the off season to offset what seems like a laundry list of obstacles for an already young high school quarterback. With the return of only two offensive starters including BJ Beecher himself, he had to prepare to operate behind a new and different offensive line, and gain comfort in throwing to new targets.

The challenges of leading a young team as a young player seemed to be weighing on some people as before the season started Concord High School Spiders head football coach Glen Padgett was quoted as saying "Our big concern, one, is a lack of depth. We are very thin…" "The other concern is experience. When you graduate and have to replace 18 starters, that is always going to be a very big concern.” BJ only had one familiar target in veteran High School Senior tight end Terrance Knox. BJ Beecher & his Concord High School Spiders have yet to let Head Football Coach Glen Padgett down in 2011 opening the football season at 5-0 with the most recent win a 24-23 victory over NW High School. BJ Beecher has thrown for an average close to 200 yards per football game. He’s usually good for 3 touchdowns a week too.READ MORE

Best of State HS football

WeAreSC staffers Garry Paskwietz and Erik McKinney, along with Greg Biggins from ESPN's RecruitingNation, take a look back at some of the top performers from the 2011 high school football season.

Top senior

Garry Paskwietz -- OL Max Tuerk (Santa Margarita HS): The Eagles bulldozed their way to a Pac-5 title this season behind a dominant run game led by Tuerk, whom former USC offensive linemen describe him as "nasty, mean and plays with a great attitude." His coaches at Santa Margarita -- Harry Welch and Marty Spaulding -- know a lot about linemen, and they both think this guy is as good as it gets.

Erik McKinney -- Max Tuerk: Arik Armstead was absolutely dominant this season, but if he is only being judged as a defensive lineman, I'll go with Tuerk. What he did as an offensive tackle proves that he belongs in the discussion of top offensive linemen in the country. Coach Harry Welch said Tuerk is the best lineman he has seen in all his years of coaching and that the Eagles wouldn't be where they are -- Pac-5 champions -- without him. That's high praise indeed.

Greg Biggins -- DL/OL Arik Armstead (Pleasant Grove HS): He's not just the top prospect in the state but the best player as well. When you watch his senior highlights, especially on the offensive line, it looks like you're watching a man among boys.

Top junior

Paskwietz -- QB Johnny Stanton (Santa Margarita HS): I'm not ignoring Su'a Cravens -- he's obviously a stud -- but I'm going to stick with the Santa Margarita team and pick Stanton. If you want a leader and a football player, you aren't going to find too many better than him. He has such good size that it makes him hard to stop as a runner but he can also beat you with his arm when needed.

McKinney -- LB/RB Su'a Cravens (Vista Murrieta HS): Cravens should be recognized as one of the top defenders in the state regardless of class standing. He shines on both sides of the ball for the Mustangs, but he takes his game to a different level on defense. He flies to the ball with an innate understanding of the opposing offense. He can tackle, he can run, he can catch, he can diagnose. He can do it all.

Biggins -- Su'a Cravens: Might be the best LB in the state right now and has the speed to play safety in college as well.

Top sophomore

Paskwietz -- QB Brandon Dawkins (Westlake Village Oaks Christian HS): Dawkins stepped into the starting role for a high profile Oaks Christian program early and put up some strong numbers, leading his team to the CIF title game. He has size and arm strength, and he makes good decisions. We're going to be hearing a lot about this guy for the next few years.

McKinney -- WR Jeff Farrar (West Hills Alemany HS): Alemany was loaded at wide receiver this season, with senior Jericho Richardson, junior Steven Mitchell, and Farrar. But the youngster, who transferred from Los Angeles Cathedral, made his share of big plays and never seemed out of place against tough competition. Farrar finished the season with a 55-yard touchdown grab in a tough opening-round playoff loss to Bellflower St. John Bosco.

Biggins -- WR Michiah Quick (Fresno, Calif./Central): This explosive kid will be a national recruit in two years. Has good size, hands and all the tools to be an impact player right away at the next level.

Biggest surprise

Garry Paskwietz -- Mater Dei misses playoffs: The Monarchs didn't advance to the CIF playoffs for the first time since 1986.

McKinney -- Arik Armstead decommitting from USC: There was certainly some rumbling about the Armstead family not being pleased with the way Armond's situation was being handled, but it was surprising to see Arik pull his commitment. What has made it even more shocking is that it looks like Armstead has completely moved away from USC. The Trojans coaches are very much fighting a steep, uphill battle to get him back.