The Epic High School Showdown: Quinn Ewers vs. Cade Klubnik
This Saturday’s College Football Playoff matchup between Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik is not their first encounter. The two quarterbacks previously clashed in the 2021 Texas Class 6A-Division I State Championship Game, a matchup that will be etched in the memories of Texas high school football fans forever.
The stage was set for a thrilling showdown between two of the best high school quarterbacks in the country. Klubnik’s Austin Westlake team was undefeated, boasting a 13-0 record, while Ewers’ Southlake Carroll team had overcome an early-season loss to win 11 consecutive games. The championship game, dubbed the “Dodge Bowl,” was a clash of Texas high school football titans.
Ewers, who was later ranked as the No. 1 player in the Top247, was already making waves in the recruiting world. His impressive performance in the 7-on-7 event during his eighth-grade year had caught the attention of scouts, who predicted he would be a top prospect. Ewers’ incredible arm talent, quick release, and accuracy made him a standout player.
In contrast, Klubnik was not as heavily touted at the time, but he would eventually emerge as a five-star quarterback in the Class of 2022. The matchup between Ewers and Klubnik was a rare treat for fans, as it pitted two of the best high school quarterbacks in the country against each other.
Gabe Brooks, a national scouting analyst for 247Sports, had the opportunity to witness Ewers’ incredible talent firsthand. “He was the best thrower of the ball at the high school level that I had seen, and to this day, he is the best pure thrower in high school I’ve ever seen,” Brooks said.
The 2021 state championship game was an instant classic, with Ewers and Klubnik putting on a show for the ages. Although Westlake ultimately emerged victorious, the game marked the beginning of a rivalry that would continue to unfold at the collegiate level.
As Ewers and Klubnik prepare to face off again in the College Football Playoff, fans can expect another thrilling matchup between two of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. The stage is set for a rematch of the epic 2021 state championship game, and fans won’t want to miss it.
