Name                                    Pos         GP          Comp    Att          Pct          Yds         Yds/G     TD           Int          Rate

Robert Marve(Sr)               QB          15           280         421         .665        4380       292.0     48          13            126

Aaron Murray(Jr)            QB, S     13             201         329         .611        4012       308.6       51           7              135

A. Murray(SR)                   QB                          118         195         .605        2285       285.6      33           5              130

P. Ely(so)                             QB                           137         229         .598        1767       135.9       19          10           94

J. Few(FR)                          QB                             15           29           .517        231         28.9          3          2             62

Phillip Ely(Jr)                     QB          12           127         219         .580        1860       155.0       20           3             111

Phillip Ely(Sr)                     QB          13           183         292         .627        2756       212.0      26            15           102

James Few(Sr)                    QB          15           160         246         .650        2513       167.5      29            13           116

 

Strictly statistically speaking Robert Marve and Aaron Murray put up astonishing numbers that are among the states most impressive seasons for a quarterback.  James Few and Phillip Ely had really good seasons as well but were darn near pedestrian compared to their predecessors.  When you look at success on the college level right now we can only judge Murray and Marve and Murray has far surpassed what Marve was able to do in one season at Miami and his injury riddled time at Purdue.  The only way to compare the Plant championship QB’s is to look at what they did while at Plant in their championship moments and what they meant to their teams respectively.

Robert Marve:

Marve was the catalyst for the Plant program.  He was the OG, the Original.  Really there cannot be another one like that.  In 2006 he lead Plant to a 15-0 season which included wins over favored Armwood 38-20 and Booker T Washington during their playoff run.  Plant scored 573 points that season and Marve threw for a record 4,380 yards and 48 TDS.

Aaron Murray:

Murray was the backup for Marve during the 06 championship run but came into his own as a 1st year starting Jr.  The Plant offense did not miss a beat what so ever.  Murray threw for 4012 yards and broke Marves record of 48TD passing throwing for 51 in 2 less games at that.  Plant ended up 11-2 losing to Armwood the 1st game of the season and in the 2nd round of the playoffs.  Murray probably had one of this worst games of his career in that playoff matchup with Armwood throwing 3 interceptions.  Murray’s Sr. year was nothing short of a hollywood movie.  They opened up losing to Armwood again this time on national television in a sloppy turnover fest.  Murray went on a tear after that but Murray suffered what appeared to be a season ending gruesome injury against rival. Hillsborough.  Phillip Ely stepped in and kept the team alive and even defeated armwood in the playoffs 17-14.  One week later Aaron Murray made a miraculous comeback returning in the state semifinals and leading Plant to a state title birth and a state championship in 2 dominating performances.

Phillip Ely:

As stated above Ely came in and as a sophomore and kept the team alive and even did something Murray was never able to do and that is beat Armwood.  Without Ely stepping in that season there may not have been a 2nd title at least that year for Plant.  As a Jr Ely dealt with his own injury issues as he missed several games and was replaced by James Few temporarily.  Ely would play enough though to lead Plant to its 3rd state title in 4 years.  Ely did not have the eye popping stats of his predecessor, he only threw for 1800 yards and 20 touchdowns but he managed the games and didn’t get Plant into too much trouble only throwing 3 ints all season.  As a Sr Plant would play in 2 nationally televised games in which Ely may have had his worst performances.  After losing 17-0 to Armwood mid season Ely would lead them on a run straight to the state title game.  Star RB James Wilder was also slowed most of the season due to a lingering ankle injury so Ely had to do more most of the season and at times you could tell he was pressing throwing 15 ints.  This season would end in a loss to perennial power St. Thomas Aquinas.

James Few:

As stated above Few backed up Ely in times of injury.  He also has played a lot of defensive back through his time at Plant.  At the articulation of this Sr. season it was not determined if he would be the starting QB but he ended up winning the job and with the offense tailored to his style of Play the Plant offense went on a roll.  They did lose to Armwood but that game only made them stronger as they blew out 3 out of 4 playoff opponents before reaching the state title game where they took on Nationally ranked Miramar.  Few was pivotal in created a ground and pound rushing attack that pushed Miramar into submission.  He threw 1 int but he did nothing to lose the game for Plant and kept them alive in key 3rd down situations.  Few was very efficient this season throwing for 2513 yards and 29TD.  He also rushed for 223 yards.

 

After breaking down the QB’s individually its clear to me (this is my personal opinion) that the QB’s should be ranked and broken down as such.

1. Robert Marve (The Catalyst, brought about the Plant dynasty)

2. Aaron Murray (The Gifted, Probably the most talented QB of them all)

3. James Few (The Surprise, who would have thought James Few would lead Plant to a title 2 years ago)

4. Phillip Ely ( The Unlikely, Phillip did the most with the least and helped the Plant Dynasty continue)