Photo courtesy of Jim Motokado

Most football experts say the most important position on the field is the quarterback.   They not only get most of the glory when the team wins, but most of the scrutiny when the offence doesn’t play well.

The quarterback touches the ball on almost every offensive play.    He is responsible to either give a good hand off to the running back, or make a catchable pass for a receiver down the field after reading the defence.

When the quarterback drops back to pass teammates, coaches and fans all expect the pass to be caught, which means the quarterback delivering the ball in an area where the receiver can make a catch.  Throughout CJFL history there have been some incredible quarterbacks seemingly able to complete pass after pass during their career.  One of those quarterbacks was John Makie who played for the Regina Thunder and Vancouver Trojans from 2001-2004 setting a nearly impossible total of 633 completions, a mark that may never be touched.    He is the only quarterback to hit the 600 plateau for completions.

Over the history of the CJFL, only three quarterbacks have completed over 500 passes, one of which played in the early part of the 1980s demonstrating just how difficult the mark is to hit.  

The top 5 all-time leaders in career completions are:

1 – John Makie – 633 for the Regina Thunder (PFC) and Vancouver Trojans (BCFC) from 2001-2004

2 – Jordan Yantz – 590 for the VI Raiders (BCFC) from 2009-2012

3 – Tony Gagnon – 531 for the Saskatoon Hilltops (PFC) from 1980-1985

4 – Stephen Schuweiler (pictured) – 473 for the Kamloops Broncos (BCFC) from 2011-2015

5 – Dean Picton – 472 for the Regina Rams (PFC) from 1984-1988

A quarterback category will be featured each day this week.