Northwest Indiana Backfield Warriors: Part 2

Yesterday, we started the process of breaking down some of the best running backs in Northwest Indiana. Today, we continue on with five more beasts in the backfield from that corner of the state. Caden Brann, 5’10, 190 pounds, 2023, Wheeler https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/caden-brann/Mz9034btEemA0ZFtwg1OMQ/videos.htm Caden Brann shows a great ability to read and understand the game. Brann knows how to follow his blocks in a way where they are not susceptible to commit a costly holding penalty. He knows exactly when to put his foot in the ground and change direction. The Wheeler senior-to-be has great vision to spot running lanes. When the room is not there, he is terrific at fighting through the first contact. Last year, he notched a little under 1,000 rushing yards on 122 carries. In five different games in 2021, Brann reached or surpassed 100 yards on the ground. He tallied an impressive 14 rushing touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id="189129" first="Anthony" last="Schuh"], 6’1, 205 pounds, 2024, Triton https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/anthony-schuh/v78aUqB3EeqAzqREozo6lw/videos.htm [player_tooltip player_id="189129" first="Anthony" last="Schuh"] is a bigger running back who can be a load to tackle. When he gets a head of steam, defenders’ best bet would probably be to get out of the way. Schuh can be particularly dangerous when he gets outside. It is difficult for defensive backs to tackle him one-on-one in space, and he has the ability to turn the corner. Schuh was a force to be reckoned with in his sophomore season and it is fair to assume that more of the same will be coming in 2022. Last year, he amassed 1,189 rushing yards on 198 carries- showcasing his durability and effectiveness. He ran for 11 touchdowns and hit or went over the 100-yard mark in eight games this past season. [player_tooltip player_id="189129" first="Anthony" last="Schuh"] also has experience returning kickoffs and punts, further adding to what he can contribute to the team. [player_tooltip player_id="185516" first="Cheyenne" last="Allen"], 6’1, 180 pounds, 2023, North Judson-San Pierre https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/cheyenne-allen/0_YmaMLhEemAzfp8ouYFiw/videos.htm [player_tooltip player_id="185516" first="Cheyenne" last="Allen"] is a versatile player who can be physical and find ways to help the team. Allen has the ability to run right through tacklers. His highlight tape features several instances where he breaks out of tackles with ease, proving that multiple defenders need to be on the scene to try to stop him. Allen is a great contributor defensively and on special teams. He can cover kickoffs and cover punts as a gunner. Further proving his versatility, Allen can also line up at tight end. Last year, Allen totaled 26 touchdowns- 15 rushing and nine receiving. On the ground he compiled 1,112 yards to go along with the 491 receiving yards that he had. On the defensive side of the ball, Allen recorded 36 tackles last year with one tackle-for-loss, one sack, one interception and one pass defense. [player_tooltip player_id="185209" first="Noah" last="Mungia"], 5’9, 195 pounds, 2023, New Prairie https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/noah-mungia/W1yxNZhnEemA0ZFtwg1OMQ/videos.htm All throughout last season, [player_tooltip player_id="185209" first="Noah" last="Mungia"] appeared amongst the state’s rushing leaders. Heading into his senior year, he is poised to once again solidify his spot as one of the top running backs in the state of Indiana. Mungia has the vision to find the hole and then accelerate through. Mungia reads his blocks well and sets them up in position to take a defender out of the play. He does a nice job of keeping his feet driving after the initial contact has been made. Mungia uses the stiff arm well to keep tacklers at bay. Last fall, he mustered 1,735 rushing yards. As if that number is not impressive enough, take into consideration the 17 rushing touchdowns that he posted and it becomes easy to see why [player_tooltip player_id="185209" first="Noah" last="Mungia"] is an elite running back. Aalias Leonard, 5’10, 175 pounds, 2023, Elkhart https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/aalias-leonard/mf9Dh-e4EeqAzqREozo6lw/default.htm The speedy Aalias Leonard is looking to build off of an impressive junior season and finish his high school career off in style. Leonard has good quickness, but he can hit the gas in the open field and run away from defenders. Leonard carried the ball 176 times a season ago. In doing so, he picked up 1,032 rushing yards. Leonard added a baker’s dozen of touchdowns, further cementing an outstanding campaign. Keep an eye on what Aalias Leonard accomplishes this upcoming season.