Marcos de Niza's Josh Eckley keeping defenses guessing with his arm, feet

Josh Eckley is every opposing coach’s worst nightmare.

Buena High School got an up close and personal look Friday night as the Tempe Marcos de Niza senior quarterback passed over and run around the Colts in a wild 78-57 win. Eckley accounted for over 500 total yards (359 passing, 158 rushing) and eight total touchdowns.

Eight.

Josh Eckley is one of the most competitive kids to ever come through this program.

Not bad for a guy who played part of the final quarter on a sprained ankle after getting dragged down from behind scrabbling towards the MDN sideline. After missing a few plays he made a gorgeous throw to the corner of the end zone which essentially sealed the win.

“He’s really grown as a quarterback,” Padres head coach Roy Lopez told Pros2Preps.com after the shootout victory. “He really matured. He can pick coverages apart. You saw that.”

What he hasn’t picked apart are any official scholarship offers but he’s creating quite a buzz in some recruiting circles.

“I love Eckley,” Scout.com Southwest Recruiting Analyst Jason Jewel said in an email. “Duel threat QB but has the skills to be a QB at the next level. Flat out playmaker.”

The 6’2, 187-pounder, who has received some interest from the University of Arizona, believes he’s still far from a finished product. Through the first few weeks of the season he’s been content to not force the ball downfield but simply take what the defense has been giving him. To this point he’s been close to unstoppable.

“I need to work on my short game for sure,” he explained to Pros2Preps.com.

One thing which doesn’t need any work is his drive to improve and make others around his better, as well according to Lopez.

“Josh Eckley is one of the most competitive kids to ever come through this program.”