Who Is Next? Looking Ahead To Class 4A RB Prospects

A trio of 1,000-yard rushers return for their senior season in Class 4A this coming fall. Council Bluffs Lewis Central’s [player_tooltip player_id="104113" first="Jonathan" last="Humpal"], Waverly-Shell Rock’s [player_tooltip player_id="152755" first="McCrae" last="Hagarty"] and Webster City’s [player_tooltip player_id="152706" first="CJ" last="Hisler"] all hit that milestone number in 2021. Here’s a closer look at those three and a couple others set to shine in the fall: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104113" first="Jonathan" last="Humpal"] - Council Bluffs Lewis Central - RB/CB - 5-10 - 165</strong> When you see [player_tooltip player_id="104113" first="Jonathan" last="Humpal"]’s 2021 stats, the number 27 stands out. Humpal scored 24 rushing touchdowns and added three more in the receiving game for Council Bluffs Lewis Central. He finished his junior campaign with 1,432 yards rushing and another 424 receiving yards on 33 receptions. In this day and age of dual-threat players on offense, Humpal brings it all. His 33 receptions are almost more than the leading wide receiver on some teams around the state. And he is also just as dangerous in the return game, averaging over 29 yards per kickoff return. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152755" first="McCrae" last="Hagarty"] - Waverly-Shell Rock - RB/LB - 6-0 - 205</strong> Waverly-Shell Rock ran for nearly 3,000 yards as a collective unit last year, led by power-back [player_tooltip player_id="152755" first="McCrae" last="Hagarty"]. The 6-foot-0, 205-pounder ran for 1,289 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging eight yards per carry. He also had another 110 yards on eight receptions with a score. With how strong Hagarty was as a running back, he was almost more destructive on defense. Out of his linebacker position, Hagarty racked up 23 tackles for loss and five sacks, recovering three fumbles, picking off a pass and scoring twice on defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152706" first="CJ" last="Hisler"] - Webster City - RB/S - 5-11 - 185</strong> One-half of a talented backfield duo with [player_tooltip player_id="156632" first="Jaxon" last="Cherry"], Webster City’s [player_tooltip player_id="152706" first="CJ" last="Hisler"] hit that exclusive 1,000-yard club in 2021. Hisler ran for 1,032 yards and scored seven touchdowns, averaging an eye-popping 9.2 yards per carry. Yes, nearly every single time he touched the ball out of the backfield, Hisler moved the chains for the Lynx and legendary head coach Bob Howard. Hisler finished with the second-most catches on the Webster City roster last year, hauling in eight passes that went for over 100 yards and another score. He is one of the most versatile threats in the state, scoring on an interception, returning two kickoffs for TDs and averaging almost 37 yards per kickoff return. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152705" first="Elijah" last="Dougherty"] - LeMars - RB/LB - 6-0 - 190</strong> When you see [player_tooltip player_id="152705" first="Elijah" last="Dougherty"] on the football field, several things come to mind. Perfect size, speed and the ability to break tackles make Dougherty one of the top running backs in the state. He ran for 844 yards and found the end zone nine times as a junior, averaging five yards per carry. LeMars graduated many of its leading receivers, so expect Dougherty to boost his receptions number up in the coming year. He is definitely ready for that challenge and will also be leaned on to help anchor the defensive unit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152707" first="Landon" last="Davis"] - Boone - RB/LB - 5-6 - 175</strong> The bulk of the offensive production for Boone last year came from the ground game. And the lead back was [player_tooltip player_id="152707" first="Landon" last="Davis"], a quick-footed, 5-foot-6, 175-pounder. Davis ran for 831 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Combining a nice first step with great vision, Davis averaged 5.5 yards per carry. He also showed skills in the passing game, catching a handful of passes while also helping the Boone defense with 4.5 tackles for loss.