Clockwise from top right: Radford's Cody Lui Yuen, Moanalua's Micah Kaneshiro, Kapolei's Aizon Kahana and Nanakuli's Chazz Troutman. ScoringLive photo illustration

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The quarterback position is the most scrutinized position in all of sports. Quarterbacks touch the ball on every offensive play, and are responsible for leading his squad down the field. They will always be glorified for a big win, but they will also be are poised to take the blame for costly mistakes.

Over the next three days, we will take a deep look at the top 12 QB's returning to their respective programs for the 2013 season. The list is in no particular order, so don't feel bad if your school or alma mater's starting QB isn't on the first day.

Quarterbacks that scarcely played last season, as well as transfers, were omitted from this list. But for those returners, there has been a benchmark that's been established. These 12 will have to elevate their game to a new level if they are any expectations of playing for a state title.

Cody Lui-Yuen - Radford Rams

2012 stats - 13 GP, completed 188-of-386 passes, 48.7 completion percentage, 2805 passing yards, 31 TD, 16 INT

A 43-0 season-ending lost to eventual state champion Iolani definitely left a sour taste in Cody Lui-Yuen's mouth. The three time starter is even more determined this year to carry his team back to the state tourney, so much that even an opening week 47-15 win over Pac-5 isn't enough.

"It wasn't a good win," said Lui-Yuen after the Pac-5 victory. "It wasn't good enough. We have higher expectations of ourselves."

The Radford Rams did trail 8-6 heading into the break, but no one would have known that if they just seen the final score. So what happens when Radford plays their best ball from the start of the game? A 67-0 drubbing over OIA White opponent Anuenue shows just how dynamic the Rams can be with a Lui-Yuen led offense.

Sure these were against winless teams, [Pac-5 (0-2), Anuenue (0-2)], but the potential is evident for the Rams to have the most potent offense in all of Division II. After all, Lui-Yuen did lead DII in passing yardage last year, over now Kaiser quarterback Kahoalii Karratti, and three time state champion Iolani quarterback Reece Foy.

One reason why Lui-Yuen will have a better year is because of the return of his favorite pass catcher from last year. Jameson Pasigan, now only a junior, caught 59 passes for 871 yards and 11 scores. Pasigan is a reliable pass catcher and Lui-Yuen will always find him wide open in the seams. The continuity between Lui-Yuen and Pasigan will prove its worth in clutch situations throughout the season.

The other reason why Lui-Yuen will have a better year actually plays opposite of Pasigan. The emergence of deep threat Absolom Henry has got to have opposing corners reeling at the thought of matching up against him. In two weeks, Henry has caught 7 passes for 205 yards and 3 TDs. That's good for a 29.3 yard per catch average!

While Lui-Yuen would love to throw to these two receivers all day long, he acknowledges the importance of having a good run game. Running the ball for the "Horns" this year will be a three-headed attack by Chance Cacatian, Rashone Osborne, and Maryknoll-transfer Tobias Powell.

"It's very important," said Lui-Yuen about having a run game. "If we can't establish a run game, then the defense will know that we'll only be passing, because that's our strength. So if we can put them in a bind and keep (opposing defenses) guessing on what we're going to do, it can help us out offensively."

Despite all the weapons at Lui-Yuen's disposal, he still knows that he has a lot to work on to get back to where they were last season.

Here's what Lui-Yuen had to say about what he needed to work on coming into the season: "Executing the plays, minimizing the little mistakes, and making sure I do the right thing on the field."

As long as Lui-Yuen can be consistent on his throws and decisions, look for some big things for the Radford Rams.

Micah Kaneshiro - Moanalua Na Menehune

2012 stats - 10 GP, completed 115-of-208 passes, a 55.3 completion percentage, 1526 passing yards, 21 TD, 18 INT

For someone who wasn't even the designated starting quarterback heading into last season, Micah Kaneshiro performed more than admirably. The 5-foot-7, 170-lb junior stepped up for the injured Maxwell Fiatoa and passed his way to the second spot in the OIA Red regular season passing leaderboard last year. A lot will be expected of the signal-caller heading into his senior campaign, with an improved Kaneshiro being crucial to Na Menehune's success this year.

"(There's) a lot of things (I have to improve on)," said Kaneshiro. "Speed, arm strength, accuracy, all of the Quarterback related stuff."

While Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez would prefer to air it out than to pound it on the ground, a healthy dose of running the ball will benefit Kaneshiro in the pocket. Kaneshiro does not exactly possess the prototypical size of a pocket passer, and should not have to air it out for more than 30 + attempts per game.

In fact, in all of Moanalua's wins last year, Kaneshiro threw for less than 30 attempts. If you check out how many times Kaneshiro has attempted a pass in the first two games of the 2013 season (34 against Mililani, 54 against Waianae), you'll see a strong correlation that the less Kaneshiro has to do on offense, the more wins Na Menehune will produce. The less pressure on Kaneshiro's shoulders, the more he will flourish.

I'm not saying that Kaneshiro can't be trusted going into this season. He is still an efficient quarterback that can make all the throws if he is given time and enough space in the pocket to step into his throws. There are still a lot of positives around Kaneshiro that can translate to a better overall season.

The Moanalua offense retains three wide receivers which only heighten the chemistry between Kaneshiro and his pass-targets. One of those key targets will be 6-foot-1, 180-lb, senior in Donald Lambert. Already on the University of Hawaii's radar, Lambert caught 35 passes for 537 yards and 9 TDs in 2012, numbers that should be much higher in 2013. Kaneshiro will also get to throw passes to shifty slot receiver Chad Aragon, as well as the rising junior in Jason Sharsh.

There will also be less on Kaneshiro's plate the rest of the season when last year's leading team rusher Ishmil Scott (101 carries, 494 yards, 3 TDs) returns this week to start the OIA Red East regular season. There also new plays in the playbook that should alleviate the pressure off of Kaneshiro, with a breakdown of these said plays here: http://scoringlive.com/story.php?storyid=10648.

"We have new plays, I like it better than last year," says Kaneshiro. "I feel more confident (with the new plays), that it can work better (for us offensively)."

Time can only tell if Kaneshiro is able to lead Moanalua to new heights. One thing is for certain though; the less pressure there is on Kaneshiro, the more the offense will be effective.

Aizon Kahana - Kapolei Hurricanes

2012 stats - 10 GP, completed 72-of-148 passes, a 48.6 completion percentage, 998 passing yards, 8 TD, 7 INT

Kapolei had their fair share of ups and downs last season, getting blown and shut-out in back to back games, before bouncing back to earn the #3 spot in the OIA playoffs. Aizon Kahana and the Hurricanes have started the year red hot (2-0), claiming a spot on ScoringLive's first top 10 power rankings. They'll have their first test this week against #6 Mililani this week.

Kahana is returning to a very talented Hurricanes team, and will benefit from entering year two in the same offensive system.

"Our offensive should be up to shape now," said Kahana in an interview for ScoringLive's 16 in 16 video series. "Overall are team is looking good this year."

A strong suit for Kapolei this year is their offensive line, anchored by University of Hawaii verbal-commit, Micah Kapoi. The offensive line will be crucial to Kahana and the rest of the skill position player's success.

One thing that will help sustain offensive drives this year for the Hurricanes is a new, no-huddle offense. This more up-tempo style of play is deadly for any defense to go against, because they will threaten to run the ball more often out of the no-huddle. Most no-huddle offenses specialize in the passing game, employing extra wide outs to help spread the defense. What makes the Hurricanes no-huddle offense so effective is that no one really prepares for the style of no-huddle that Kapolei will use this year.. Combine that with Kahana's scrambling ability and you'll have defensive lineman who will be gassed out because they'll have less time to rest in between plays.

To have success running the ball, you're going to need great backs, a luxury that Kapolei is able to boast. In what might be the best running back tandem in the state this year, Kahana will have no problem giving handoffs to Mana Reis and Tristan Pebria.

As can be said for any quarterback, Kahana has some lofty goals for the team and himself.

"I want to show that Kapolei does have the potential to win a championship game," said Kahana in ScoringLive's 16 in 16 series. "That we can go the distance, that we do have the coaching staff, the players, (to win a championship)."

The Hurricanes will be in good hands with Kahana leading the storm on a possible OIA title run.

Chazz Troutman - Nanakuli Golden Hawks

2012 passing stats (only for 10 out of 12 games played) - completed 76-of-163 passes, a 46.6 completion percentage, 818 passing yards, 10 TD, 13 INT

2012 rushing stats: 115 carries for 531 yards and 8 TDs.

I was unable to catch an interview from Chazz Troutman before this post, but if I were to sum him up in one word, I would use fearless.

That's what I see in Troutman's game in the rushing offense of Nanakuli. On an option play in a regular season loss to Radford last season, Troutman held the ball till the possible moment before pitching it off to the pitch man. Troutman got popped real badly on the play, but the result was a long touchdown run for the Golden Hawks. That's the kind of performance Nanakuli fans should see from Troutman night in and night out.

This year Troutman will use his talents at other skill positions other than quarterback. He'll play the role of a Brad Smith/Denard Robinson, and he'll do it all. Passing, running the ball, catching the ball, and handling return duties. I'm sure there isn't one thing that Troutman won't do to help the team.

Everyone doubted Nanakuli against Kaiser last year and look what happened. This year, Nanakuli hasn't gotten off to a great start (blowout loss to Kapa'a, managing to stave off the visiting Waialua bulldogs by three points) but in a wide open Division II race, I wouldn't be so quick to write of Nanakuli just yet.

As long as first year Nanakuli coach Keala Watson has Troutman on the field, good things will happen for the Golden Hawks.