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Top Ten QBs: Eric Mooney (Huntley, No. 10), Micah Coffey (Batavia, No. 9)

Editor's note: The Daily Herald is counting down the Top 10 high school quarterbacks over the past 20 years, two at a time. We start today with Huntley's Eric Mooney and Batavia's Micah Coffey.

No. 10 - Eric Mooney (Huntley)

Huntley quarterback Eric Mooney epitomized the term dual threat.

An all-state track sprinter, his 4.43 speed made him nearly impossible to stop in three varsity football seasons, the last two at quarterback.

As a junior in 2016, Mooney helped the Red Raiders to a 10-1 record and a Class 8A quarterfinal appearance by throwing for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns on 116 of 195 passing (59.5%). Meanwhile, he rushed for 1,099 yards and 18 touchdowns on 167 carries, a 6.6-yard per carry average.

The dynamic signalcaller improved statistically across the board in 2017. He completed 64% of his passes (135 of 211) for 2,156 yards and 20 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,125 yards and 19 touchdowns on 141 carries (8 avg.).

"He made every offensive play we called something that worked no matter what," Huntley coach Matt Zimolzak said. "If there was a blown route, he'd run the ball and pick up a first down. He made mistakes look like things we did on purpose."

Mooney bided his time his sophomore year as a wide receiver and running back. His quick feet translated to over 1,400 rushing and receiving yards.

The grand totals over three varsity campaigns? Mooney threw for 3,809 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 3,071 yards and 53 touchdowns on 394 carries (7.8 avg). He also made 26 receptions for 597 yards and 3 scores. He was intercepted only 11 times in 406 attempts.

He was also a team leader by example.

"His hard work and dedication set the tone for Huntley football," Zimolzak said.

Mooney is now a junior defensive back at Northern Iowa. Last fall he made 7 tackles in 13 games for the 10-5 Panthers.

No. 9 - Micah Coffey (Batavia)

Micah Coffey started with a bang and didn't stop until Batavia was on top.

In his first game as Batavia's starting quarterback in 2012, Coffey threw for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns leading the Bulldogs to a thrilling 42-41 win at eventual Class 8A runner-up Glenbard North who featured future NFL running back Justin Jackson.

Coffey quarterbacked Batavia to a 9-0 regular season as a Class 7A Academic All-Stater, throwing for 1,732 yards and 18 touchdowns.

After a surprise first round playoff loss to Downers Grove North, even better things were in store for Coffey's senior season. Batavia avenged its only regular season defeat by beating Richards 34-14 to win the 2013 Class 6A state title - the first in school history.

Coffey completed 15 of 18 passes for 229 yards with 2 TDs in that state title game, including a 96-yarder to Michael Moffatt. That capped a dominating postseason with Batavia winning four games by at least 20 points. Coffey threw for 2,466 yards and 29 touchdowns, finishing 22-2 in his two years as QB.

A rare three-sport athlete in high school, Coffey played baseball in college, starting at third base for the University of Minnesota. Playing on the Gophers' best team in 40 years, his honors included All-Big Ten second team three straight years, hitting .333 as a sophomore and .340 as a junior, and winning the Big Ten sportsmanship award and Academic All-American as a senior.

Minnesota followed its Big Ten title Coffey's senior year by beating UCLA to win an NCAA regional, losing to eventual College World Series champ Oregon State. He was drafted by the White Sox in the 30th round of the 2018 MLB draft.

"I was so fortunate to play quarterback for Batavia High," Coffey said. "Playing quarterback for that community meant so much to me. One snapshot that sticks out is from the 2013 state championship game as I looked up and saw the roughly 12,000 people who had come to cheer us on. That still gives me goose bumps."

Micah Coffey
Eric Mooney
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