Future SEC Rivals Jarrett Guarantano, Shea Patterson Combine for 8 TDs
A Saturday afternoon showdown in New Jersey placed Bergen Catholic High School quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and visiting IMG Academy gunslinger Shea Patterson squarely in the spotlight.
The Elite 11 finalists led their squads into an epic showdown that evolved into a memorable interstate shootout. Guarantano, a Tennessee commit, and Patterson, an Ole Miss pledge, put on a performance that may provide a preview for things to come in future SEC competition.
The pair of passers combined to compile nearly 700 total yards and eight touchdowns in a contest that included more than 100 points. Patterson and IMG emerged as victors, as the Florida powerhouse claimed a 59-47 road win.
If this battle was any indication of what could lie ahead for matchups in Oxford and Knoxville, sign us up.
"We could possibly be playing for an SEC championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff someday," Patterson told Bleacher Report.
Both quarterbacks emerged as nationally coveted college football recruits years ago. Patterson initially pledged to Arizona shortly after his freshman season, and Guarantano received an offer from Rutgers in middle school.
Despite the final score, Guarantano enjoyed the strongest individual performance in a game featuring several top-tier prospects. The 4-star Garden State standout completed 30 of his 38 pass attempts for 379 yards and four touchdowns.
He added 64 yards and a score on the ground, tallying five total touchdowns. Guarantano, a 6'4", 194-pound playmaker, tied Bergen Catholic's single-game pass yardage record, per JJ Conrad of the Bergen Record.
"Just a representation of my coach, school and my family," he said.
His career-best effort came against an IMG defense loaded with elite talent. Guarantano led five straight second-half scoring drives against a group that features 5-star lineman Shavar Manuel, elite linebacker Rahshaun Smith and LSU cornerback commit Saivion Smith.
"Jarrett played his heart out. He did everything he could do to help his team win," Patterson said. "I have a lot of respect for the way he competes. He took numerous hits back there and just continued to play ball. I really like his game."
Patterson didn't produce at quite the same rate, but he certainly did enough to push IMG toward its fourth straight victory.
The 6'2", 195-pound Elite 11 MVP, rated No. 1 overall among 2016 quarterback recruits in composite rankings, tallied three first-half touchdowns. He threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for an additional score:
Patterson, who transferred to IMG this summer, has tossed 11 touchdowns and no interceptions through his first four contests with the program.
"The biggest thing with Shea is that he's a natural leader. He's the kind of guy you want to follow on the field," 5-star tight end prospect Isaac Nauta said. "Obviously, he's one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. You saw him show some of the reasons why in this game."
Patterson and Guarantano presumably have plenty of premier games remaining in their respective careers, and this latest effort offers another indication that both are incredibly promising players.
Expect them to engage in future offensive duels on the grand stage of SEC action and potentially beyond.
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