PHIL JURKOVEC

PINE-RICHLAND QB

everlasting mark on the WPIAL.

“He probably is the best quarterback I’ve seen in high school,” said former North Hills coach Jack McCurry, who watched Jurkovec three times in person this season and on TV a few times.

That’s an interesting comment from McCurry, because he coached North Hills from 1978-2012 and one of the quarterbacks he faced was Dan Marino at Central Catholic.

“Marino certainly could throw and Marino could run, but not run like this kid,” said McCurry. “I’m certainly not saying that this kid will do what Marino did in college or the pros. We have to wait to see. I’m just saying in high school, I haven’t seen anyone do what this kid has done.” Joe Butler has run Metro Index Scouting for four decades. “Phil Jurkovec is unique in that he’s about 6-5, has really big hands to grab a football, and he’s not just an athlete who happened to play quarterback. He’s a quarterback who’s an athlete,” said Butler. “He throws the ball down the seams as well as any college quarterback. … Marino was something. I don’t like to go totally out on a limb, but I think [Jurkovec] is one of the finest we’ve ever had around here.”

You could say Jurkovec had the finest season of any offensive player in the history of Pennsylvania high school football, at least statistically.

throwing, receiving) with 5,180. He completed 243 of 334 for 3,969 yards and 39 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,211 yards on 132 attempts and scored 24 touchdowns for the WPIAL and PIAA Class 6A champ.

WPIAL history and he completed 73 percent.

throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a season. And for Jurkovec’s career: Lenny Williams. Jurkovec compiled his yardage in only 21⁄ seasons. He missed half of his sophomore year with a thumb injury.

- tory) and 71 touchdowns. He also ran for 2,942 yards on 344 carries.

The player Jurkovec often is compared to is Terrelle Pryor, a 2008 Jean during Pryor’s years and watched Jurkovec a few times on television.

“I might be a little partial because I coached Terrelle,” said Hall. “I think Jurkovec might have the edge as far as passing. But with moves, running and speed, I’d go with Terrelle. But I think Jurkovec is one of the best quarterbacks in years.”

Jurkovec will play next season at Notre Dame. “Phil is everything “More importantly, he has all the intangibles that separate averages quarterbacks from elite ones. … I’m honored to have been his football coach.”