By Don Ketchum

Who is the state’s leading passer and is No. 2 in total offense?

Hint: It isn’t Chandler High star quarterback Brett Hundley.

It is Dominic Portocarrero, a senior at Phoenix North Canyon who has led his Class 5A Division I team to a quick 2-0 start. The Rattlers have a bye on Friday, Sept. 10 before road games against Tempe Corona del Sol on Sept. 16 and Scottsdale Chaparral on Sept. 24.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Portocarrero has achieved something that not many players can be able to match.

He has started at quarterback all four years.

North Canyon coach Brian Cole thinks that if Portocarrero can continue on his present pace, he will finish in the top five in career passing yards and touchdown passes. He had about 5,000 yards and 50 scoring strikes to begin the season, according to Cole.

“When he showed up as a freshman, we could tell he was a good quarterback already,’’ Cole said. “We had him in there by necessity at first, but he showed he could play. He’s very athletic, can run and throw and he’s tough.’’

North Canyon defeated Tucson Sunnyside on the road and Laveen Betty H. Fairfax in its first two games. Portocarrero combined to complete 38 of 49 passes for 654 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 110 yards on 15 carries.

He has received plenty of help in the passing department. His top target has been Anas Hasic, who has 15 catches for 434 yards and three touchdowns.

Portocarrero recalled his first varsity game, against Tucson High.

“It was awesome,’’ he said. “I couldn’t really hear the crowd. I had pregame jitters because I wanted to play so well. I think I played pretty well, and we won.’’

He has been pleased with his progress over the four years, but said there is a lot more he can do.

“I have tried to take what the coaches have taught me and put it to use,’’ he said. “I think my decision-making is a lot better, and there aren’t too many defenses that I haven’t seen.’’

Portocarrero also is quick to give credit to his teammates.

“It all starts with the line. They have blocked great, picking up blitzes,’’ he said. “The receivers have run great routes. Anas Hasic has a great work ethic as a receiver, and that has put him where he is now.’’

The quarterback must be a good leader, encouraging his teammates when they need it and giving a swift kick in the backside when they need it.

“I try to lead by example,’’ Portocarrero said. “I’m not the most vocal guy, but I’m getting better.

“My first objective is to pass, but I can run if I need to. If no one is open, I look to run and coach gives me that freedom.’’

There is a long way to go before the playoffs begin, and Portocarrero knows there are no guarantees. They keep thinking back to their one-and-done first-round game against Chandler Hamilton, which used a 59-14 victory as a springboard to the state title. North Canyon was the 16^th and final seed.

“We’ve been talking a lot about that, about what we want to do this year,’’ Portocarrero said. “No one has picked us to do anything, but everyone in our locker room knows what we can do. That’s what matters.’’