6-man report: Top returning rushers for 2022

The 6-man football game can typically produce some high offensive numbers, and there were a few players who had big rushing seasons as a result. Here is a look at the top players in terms of rushing yards scheduled to return this fall in the state. <h3><strong>Logan Wright, 2023, 6’0, 150, QB/LB, Arickaree/Woodlin</strong></h3> Wright is a player who will take the snap and be asked to make the big play. He proved he could do that for his team last season. As a rusher, he averaged 9.8 yards per rush attempt on his way to 1,259 yards, and he found the end zone 21 times, including a season-high seven in a win over Hi-Plains. The threat he can also be throwing the football (494 yards, five touchdowns) makes him just as dangerous as teams must look to stop the pass with him as well. Look for him to play a big role again for the offense and to help his team improve from a 5-5 season. <h3><strong>Tayte Smith, 2025, 5’10, 165, RB/LB, Otis</strong></h3> Here’s one of the next stars in 6-man football to watch in the state. Smith had a great freshman year that saw him rush for 1,080 yards, putting him in the top 10 in 6-man football in that category. He showed he could handle a heavy workload carrying the ball, rushing 19 times or more in seven of eight games. He also scored 22 touchdowns for his team. In addition to his production, Smith did a good job taking care of the football with only two fumbles. <h3><strong>Nolan Japp, 2023, 5’11, 160, Fleming</strong></h3> Japp has been a contributor over the first three years of his career, but his junior year in 2021 was the best of his career so far. He carried the ball 105 times for 1,057 yards and 26 touchdowns. He is a hard runner who can break for the big one for his team. Fleming also utilized his receiving skills with 13 receptions for 263 yards and three more scores. He can also break one in the special teams game for the team. It has been steady progression for Japp over his career and he’ll look to take another step in that category this upcoming season. <h3><strong>Claytin Hove, 2023, 5’10, 170, RB/LB, Prairie</strong></h3> Hove stepped up and became a leading rusher for his team in the second half of the season. After carrying the ball 23 times in the first five games of the year, he finished with 87 rushing attempts in the final seven. He rewarded his team, rushing for 1,001 yards on the year, and 643 of those yards were in the final seven games. Even early in the season with fewer rushing attempts, he was good at getting into the end zone, which helped him score 15 touchdowns. Hove is also a skilled pass catcher and he was able to haul in 21 receptions for 260 yards and two more scores, and he will return kicks in the special teams. <h3><strong>Peyton Cranson, 2023, Branson/Kim</strong></h3> Production has been steady for Cranson over the last two seasons, where he has rushed for 900 yards in each. In 2022, he went for 983 yards and 19 touchdowns on 99 carries. He had a fast start to the 2021 season with 609 yards on 39 carries in the first four games, and he ended the season with his best game of the year, going for 221 yards and four touchdowns in the season finale with Sierra Grande. While the team split carries amongst their backs, Cranson appears to be the main man heading into the 2022 season.