Remember when Dylan Skipper was an unproven quarterback? How about when he was the glaring preseason question hanging over Cullman High’s offense?

Good thing Cullman’s coaching staff didn’t listen to the naysayers. Skipper has done nothing but silence the critics this season.

Skipper has been quite possibly the biggest surprise for the top-ranked Bearcats (10-0, 8-0 in Class 5A, Region 6) this season. The junior quarterback helped lead Cullman to a third straight region championship, not to mention the program’s second undefeated regular season in three years.

And if anyone thinks Skipper isn’t a big reason why Cullman has been so successful, then they haven’t been paying attention.

In his first season at starting quarterback, Skipper completed 135 of 211 passes for 2,155 yards. That’s 215.5 yards per game.

Impressive numbers? Absolutely. But those are nothing compared to these two little statistics:

Skipper has thrown 25 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Talk about taking care of the football … talk about being the perfect game manager …

… Talk about the ideal quarterback.

Skipper has done more than handle his role as Cullman’s starting quarterback. He’s thrived in the position.

Considering the expectations that have been around this Cullman football team since the end of last season, that says a lot about this first-year starter.

Cullman football has become synonymous with great quarterback play in recent years. There’s been some good ones wear black and gold this decade.

Carson Williams enjoyed lots of success during his prep career at Cullman. And since graduation, he went on to play at Army — Williams was actually the first Knights freshman to start at quarterback in the Navy game in 2006.

After Williams, Tyler Caldwell left his legacy at Cullman, becoming the most productive prep quarterback to ever play in Alabama.

Caldwell shattered every Cullman passing record before setting the state record for most passing yards in a single season as a senior. He threw for 4,132 yards and 37 touchdowns a in 2008, leading Cullman to its second straight appearance in the Class 5A semifinals.

Skipper doesn’t have the physical tools that made Williams great, and he hasn’t posted eye-popping passing numbers like Caldwell.

But what Skipper has done is prove that he’s a winner. And as the starting quarterback for a team with championship aspirations, that’s more important than anything else.

So when Cullman opens the Class 5A playoffs against Wenonah Friday night, don’t discredit the Bearcats’ quarterback. He will be a factor in the game.

He’s not the biggest quarterback in the state, and there’s prep players out there with stronger arms.

But when it comes to leading his offense on the field, there aren’t many quarterbacks in the state that have played better than Skipper. The junior takes care of the football, is a good game manager, and he’s won every game as a starter.

And what football coach wouldn’t want that quarterback in a big game?

Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.