LUBBOCK, TEX. ? Their nearly flawless Texas high school careers behind them, Graham Harrell and Chase Daniel are just beginning to make their marks at Big 12 Conference schools.

Harrell, Texas Tech’s quarterback, and Daniel, who leads No. 23 Missouri, went a combined 72-4 at Ennis and Southlake Carroll, a pair of Dallas-area schools. But the sophomores never played one another, making today’s matchup the first one-stop glimpse at two of the state’s most prolific high school passers.

They’re bringing a little momentum into an important conference game. Harrell threw a last-minute touchdown pass to give Tech (4-1, 1-0 Big 12) a 31-27 victory at Texas A&M last week, and Daniel has Missouri (5-0, 1-0) vying for its first 6-0 start in 33 years.

Both are in the top 10 in total offense nationally. Harrell is fourth, averaging 310 yards per game. Daniel isn’t far behind at No. 10, averaging 281 yards per game.

One of their high school coaches believes both quarterbacks are gaining valuable experience early in their college careers.

“To me, there’s not a whole lot replacing getting to play,” said Graham Harrell’s father and high school coach, Sam Harrell, who kept an eye on Daniel’s schoolboy career. “That’s the best teacher of all.”

In 2001, the year before Southlake Carroll moved up from Class 4A to 5A, Harrell led Ennis past the Dragons 49-17 in the semifinals en route a state title. But Daniel was a ninth-grader and did not play until the following year, when he was a receiver. He started at quarterback his last two years.

Harrell, a year ahead of Daniel, was a two-time 4A player of the year at Ennis, where he was 41-3 as a three-year starter. Daniel, who turns 20 today, was twice named the 5A player of the year and had a two-year record of 31-1. Each won a state title.

“I think successful people are going to be successful no matter what level it is,” Graham Harrell said. “Being successful in high school helped prepare us, and we want to win. I think that’s why they’re 5-0 and we’re 4-1.”

From 2000-03 at Ennis, Harrell threw for 12,532 yards – the most in Texas high school history – and 167 TDs.

Daniel generated 11,252 yards in two seasons – 8,289 with 91 touchdowns throwing and 2,954 with 39 more scores rushing.

Like he did in high school, Daniel is using his arm and his legs. He has 1,273 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions and another 130 rushing yards. That mobility is why Daniel fits where he landed, Sam Harrell said.

“That’s their philosophy,” he said. “They’re looking for quarterbacks who are a dual threat, and they found them a good one in him. He’s really making them roll right now.”

Harrell’s teammates know his history and trust him.

“We always talk about how young he is, but he has played the last six or seven years, counting high school,” Tech receiver Jarrett Hicks said. “So, I guess it is to the point that nothing amazes me now. I know he is going to make the pass. I guess it falls on our shoulders to make the play now.”

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel echoed Hicks.

“(Graham) Harrell, at quarterback, is playing outstanding,” he said. “They score a lot points … and have one of the best passing games in the country.”

But as much as he admires Harrell, Pinkel makes no secret of his respect for Daniel.

“You can coach poise and some guys develop it, but he’s just got it,” Pinkel said. “He knows what he’s doing, and he’s a smart intelligent guy.”

It’d be easy to make the Red Raiders-Tigers game a showdown between their high school programs.

“Maybe in (Dallas-Fort Worth) … some people might,” Harrell said. “But high school’s high school. We’re in college now. It’s Missouri versus Texas Tech, not Ennis versus Southlake.”