Like moths to a flame, receivers are drawn to top-flight quarterbacks.

San Marcos High School has the flame — strong-armed junior quarterback Kreet Makihele. He and his many moths went 9-1 this season and earned a No. 1 seed in the San Diego Section Division 1 football playoffs.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Makihele has thrown for 2,549 yards and 36 touchdowns this season as the Knights head into Fridays quarterfinal playoff game against Palomar League foe Del Norte, a team San Marcos beat 26-21 two weeks ago.

Ive got so many weapons, Makihele said. Ive got fast guys. Ive got big guys. And everyone can catch the ball.

In an interview this week, Makihele broke down the strengths of his senior receivers. Heres what he said:

About Jace Nix: Ive known Jace my whole life, and he has improved every year. Hes a great route-runner. He has great hands, great footwork. And he has speed. Plus, he has grit. In big situations, I can count on Jace to make the catch.

Nix notes: Committed to San Jose State, Nix has 37 catches for 757 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. In 43 career games at San Marcos, Nix has 198 receptions for 3,092 yards and 45 TDs. Only four other receivers in the history of the San Diego Section have 200-plus catches. Nix ranks second all-time in TD catches and seventh in yards. Plus, hes the San Diego Section Division 1 champion in the 100 and 200 meters, clocking times of 10.68 seconds in the 100 and 21.71 seconds in the 200.

About Colton Willard: He has great hands, catches everything. Hes willing to learn, and he has a great attitude. Hes always happy.

Willard notes: He has 19 catches for 374 yards and five TDs.

San Marcos Caleb Reese (5) catches the pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Rancho Bernardos Silas Christiansen (7) during their game at San Marcos High School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in San Marcos, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

About Caleb Reese: Ive known Caleb since we were kids. Were close friends. Hes a great athlete on offense and defense. Hes a smart receiver, and hes fast.

Reese notes: A transfer from El Camino, he has 26 catches for 434 yards and six TDs. Playing defense, he has 37 tackles and seven tackles-for-loss. Hes also a sprinter, placing second in the San Diego Section Division 1 Meet in the 100 hurdles and third in the CIF Meet with a best of 14.22 seconds.

San Marcos CJ Williams (4) runs the ball against Rancho Bernardo during their game at San Marcos High School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in San Marcos, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

On CJ Williams: He has great vision and great hands. We use him out of the backfield a lot. And he plays defense. He has been a big help.

Williams note: A transfer from Lincoln, he has 26 catches for 434 yards and 6 TDs. Plus, he has 29 carries for 169 yards. On defense, he has 20 tackles and an interception.

San Marcos’ Brady Pohl is held up by Parker Allred after Pohl scored a touchdown during the first quarter against Mission Hills at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos on Friday, Sept. 20. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

On Brady Pohl: Brady isnt just fast, hes quick, especially getting in and out of routes. And he works, works, works. He never walks. Hes always on the run. He has great footwork. I think hes really underrated.

Pohl note: He has 30 catches for 366 yards and three TDs. He averages 10.9 yards on 14 rushes. Plus, he ran a leg on the Knights 4100 relay team with Reese, Nix and Remi Coker that clocked 42.09 seconds and placed second in the San Diego Section Division 1 finals. He has a walk-on opportunity at Cal Poly.

San Marcos Elijah Bechtel transferred from Damien. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

On Elijah Bechtel: Hes a big-body guy (6-2, 210). When we need short yardage to get a first down, I look for Elijah. And the guy is a stud on defense.

Bechtel notes: A transfer from Pomona Damien Catholic, Bechtel has nine catches for 161 yards and six rushes for 93 yards. On defense he has 66 tackles, five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. He has committed to Army.

We created this offense to take advantage of our players abilities and exploit defenses, San Marcos coach Tom Carroll said. We dont have all six guys on the field every down, but there are times we spread it out.

We have great speed with Nix, Pohl and Reese. And Reese is a shutdown corner. Willard is dynamic. Williams runs the wheel route really well. But, honestly, the thing that sets this group apart is that theyre so unselfish.

Nixs overall numbers are down, but his TDs are up. His attitude has rubbed off on everyone else. No one stands around when the ball goes to someone else. This is a great downfield-blocking team. Thats the kind of attitude that leads to big plays.

Nix, a four-year starter, has never caught fewer than 42 passes in a season. He had 63 as a sophomore and 56 as a junior.

I really dont care about my numbers, I care about our numbers, Nix said. We have a great mix of size and speed. We have fast guys and quick guys.

This isnt an individual game. Its a team game. Kreet is the perfect quarterback for this group. Obviously, hes very talented, but hes also a great person. Ive watched him mature as a player. His decision-making has caught up to his ability. Thats what makes him special. Thats what makes us special.

San Marcos Kreet Makihele (1) passes against Rancho Bernardo during their game at San Marcos High School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in San Marcos, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

BOX: About the QB

San Marcos High School junior Kreet Makihele is one of the San Diego Sections top quarterbacks. Heres a look at his numbers:

• In 30 career games, Makihele has completed 448 of 656 passes for 6,868 yards and 87 touchdowns. He has been intercepted six times.

• Hes on pace for 700 career completions. Only two quarterbacks in San Diego Section history have ever hit that mark.

• Hes on pace for more than 9,000 passing yards, which has been done only once.

• His 87 TDs are sixth all-time in San Diego. Hes on pace to become one of only three players in San Diego history to hit the century mark.