Midwest Rushing Leaders after Friday, 9/30

The staple point of high school football is and always will be the running back. A QB can be an x-factor, a dominant OL coming few and far between, but a talented RB is the bread and butter of prep offenses and a big reason why offenses such as the Wing-T, Power-T, Triple-Option, and Power-I offenses still thrive and cause fits in big school programs down to small town co-ops all over the Midwest. With every state in Flyover Country at or over the midseason point of their respective regular season, I wanted to get back to some PrepRedzone Midwest features and take a look at every state's rushing leader now that Friday Night Lights have concluded in September. Eleven states' yardage and TD rushing leaders are represented below! I also stuck with 11-man programs for this feature but made sure to note the 9/8/6-man yardage leaders as well. Hope you enjoy. Also, thank you to Maxpreps, MNFootballHub, Bound, and TheDZone for the stats! This is the best I have to work with so if I missed a leader it was not intentional. Thanks for reading!   Dakotas   Yardage: [player_tooltip player_id='56570' first='Lincoln' last='Kienholz'] (Pierre - Riggs, South Dakota) Senior. QB. 6'3, 185 lbs.   The Washington Huskies commit is the passing and rushing leader in both North and South Dakota and has been a heckuva force for T.F. Riggs High School in 2022. On the ground, he's rushed 67 times for 659 yards and 6 TDs in six games this fall, with the last three all seeing him total more than 100 yards with his legs against Yankton, Watertown, and Brandon Valley. Kienholz also posted 193 yards rushing against Yankton and 197 last Friday against Brandon Valley. Add those numbers to his 1,909 passing yards and 27 TDs and you have a major dual-threat weapon in the Mount Rushmore state.   Non 11-man Leader: Luke Fraser (Hamlin, South Dakota) 932 rushing yards and 11 TDs.   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='277668' first='Trey' last='Heinrich'] (Kindred, North Dakota) Senior. 6'1, 195 lbs. 9 TDs & [player_tooltip player_id='56571' first='Maddox' last='May'] (Roncalli, South Dakota) Senior. 6'1, 215 lbs. 9 TDs   Heinrich: The well-built senior's final prep campaign has been highlighted by his 4 TD performance against Linton/Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock that helped his squad get a 38-21 win. He's also scored 2 TDs against both Oak Grove Lutheran and Northern Cass, and one vs. Hillsboro/Central Valley. His midseason tape is a fun one, as the 215 pounder can scoot for his size and has some good vision that, when combined with balance through contact, makes him a versatile ball carrier for defenders to deal with. Seeing a RB his size take advantage of daylight and finish big runs doesn't get old, and neither does his impressive truck stick.   May: The Aberdeen product has been a multi-TD machine game-to-game in 2022 and has scored two tuddies against Groton, Redfield, Dakota Hills, and Mobridge-Pollock and also added a single TD for good measure against Deuel. He's also posted 625 rushing yards on 91 carries. The Mack Truck of a RB is solid at bouncing and spinning off tackle attempts in the box and between the OTs and also shows some good speed for a 210+ pound bruiser. I also like his patience and quick feet, which get would-be tacklers off balance and flying by him when expecting contact. May got a good midseason tape and is my style of RB.   Non 11-man Leader: Cedar Amiotte (Wall, South Dakota) Senior. 6'1, 190 lbs. 15 rushing TDs.   Illinois   Yardage: [player_tooltip player_id='262103' first='Garrett' last='Gensler'] (Rochelle) Senior. 6'1, 200 lbs. - 1,203 rushing yards   The RB/LB combination has tallied 103 carries for 1,203 yards and 15 TDs in six games and has surpassed the century rushing mark in each of those contests as well. His season has been highlighted with 300+ rushing performances against Johnsburg and Marengo, where he went for 362 and 318 yards, respectively. Rochelle is also 5-1 thanks to his efforts. On tape, his midseason highlights show off a more upright runner with great balance on tackle attempts on either his upper or lower body and the speed to take advantage of big holes in a defense. He's also laid some massive hits as a lead-blocking fullback and is overall great through contact.   Non 11-man Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='354313' first='Lleyton' last='Miller'] (DLMP) Junior. 5'9, 160 lbs. - 1,760 rushing yards   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='364925' first='Max' last='Ryner'] (Macomb) Senior. 6', 195 lbs. - 16 rushing TDs   Three, four-TD performances have highlighted Ryner's senior rushing campaign, with ROWVA/Williamsfield, Hamilton/Warsaw, and Elmwood/Brimfield all feeling the wrath of the 195 pounders two legs and shoulder pads. He also scored two TDs against Farmington and a single TD against Rushville-Industry and Astoria/VIT.   Non 11-man Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='354313' first='Lleyton' last='Miller'] (Decatur Lutheran/Mt. Pulaski) Junior. 5'9, 160 lbs. 24 rushing TDs.   Indiana   Yardage: Luke Hansen (Roncalli) Senior. 5'11, 205 lbs. - 1,896 rushing yards   A standout football player and wrestler, the Indianapolis area product is having a productive senior season with monster numbers across the board such as his 238 carries, 1,896 rushing yards, and 24 touchdowns. The workhorse hasn't totaled less than 24 carries in a contest this fall and has posted heavy duty games with 37, 47, 43, and 37 carry games ranking among the highest. Hansen has also posted a 200+ yard rushing performance in every game but one this fall, with two 300+ rushing games against Columbus North, Southport, and Male High School. His senior highlights show off a runner with a strong lower body capable of eating multiple tackle attempts at a time without losing momentum, burst and pull-away speed to blow by defenders, and a mean stiff-arm that throws people into the dirt. Hansen is a lethal combination of speed, quickness, and strength and has gone beast mode every contest he's been a part of in 2022. Love his spin move as well!   Non 11-man Leader: Isaiah Graber (Tri-State Crusaders) Junior. 5'11, 180 lbs. - 793 rushing yards   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='199327' first='Kyle' last='Turanchick'] (Oak Hill) Senior. 6', 180 lbs. - 31 rushing TDs   The 2022 stat-monster has been consistent and productive this fall and has been hovering around 25 carries and 200 yards on the ground per game, not to mention his bonkers TD numbers. He hasn't scored less than four TDs in a game all season and has scored 4 times in four games, against Eastern, Eastbrook, Mississinewa, and Frankton. In his remaining three matchups he's scored five times, with Southwood, Madison-Grant, and Alexandria-Monroe all feeling his wrath and rushing ability to the fullest. Turanchick's Week 1-3 highlights display a shifty tailback who was and is a big play machine. He hits the hole hard, reads his blocks well, and finishes plays when given the opportunity. Also has some closing speed as a defender!   Non 11-man Leader: Isaiah Graber (Tri-State Crusaders) Junior. 5'11, 180 lbs. 15 rushing TDs   Iowa   Yardage: [player_tooltip player_id='104114' first='Nolan' last='DeLong'] (Durant) Senior. 6'1, 205 lbs. - 1,530 rushing yards   The Class 1A competitor's hot start hasn't gone unnoticed, as in-state Iowa offered a PWO on September 10th. Sadly, I don't have game-by-game highlights, but as the unanimous state leader in rushing yards regardless of class, you can bet your butt he's been a headache and a half for opposing defenses in 2022. On tape, he's obviously athletic, with body control and an ease through contact that's impressive. DeLong can cut at high speeds without losing momentum, and when you're moving as fast as he is that's a tough 205-pounder to corral in the open field. He's also an instinctive and strong thumper of a LB with great defensive highlights. I'll be interested to see where he commits to.   Non 11-man Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='300641' first='Rowan' last='Carlson'] (Tripoli) Senior. 5'11, 190 lbs. - 1,451 rushing yards   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='300641' first='Rowan' last='Carlson'] (Tripoli) Senior. 5'11, 190 lbs. - 30 TDs   The 8-player TD monster has speed that is unmatched and pops off the tape in his midseason highlights. As a QB out of the backfield he can make one move and it's over, hitting the sideline and into the endzone in a blink of an eye, sometimes without being touched. Carlson also shows great timing in his effective cuts in the open field, and at the end of the day it looks like it's over if you let him get the edge. He's also strong for his size and has been a dangerous returner on special teams this season. Thank you Bound for the stats!   11-man TD Leader: Michael Turner (Tri-Center) Senior. 21 TDs   Kansas   Yardage: [player_tooltip player_id='243284' first='Omari' last='Elias'] (Kapaun-Mt. Carmel) Junior. 5'10, 190 lbs. - 1,069 rushing yards   At a 213 YPG average, Elias had a monster game in a 63-24 win against Westminster and popped off for 13 carries for 349 yards and 3 TDs on September 23rd. He also hasn't rushed for less than 150 yards in any of his five games listed on Maxpreps and is sitting at a 9.1 yards per carry clip in what must be a very fun junior season. In his single-game highlights, I like how he sets up defenders at the second and third levels of the defense, and he's got an unassuming gait that floats by opponents quickly. He also can eat contact well and stay upright, and I like his hips at the RB position and how he can smoothly drop and shift them to keep defenders off balance. Don't sleep on RBs from the Sunflower State!   Non 11-man Leader: Creyo Koop (West Elk) Sophomore. - 929 rushing yards   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='35681' first='Tre' last='Richardson'] (Highland Park) Senior. and [player_tooltip player_id='243299' first='Cooper' last='Hajek'] (Nemaha Central) Senior. - 16 rushing TDs   Richardson: The New Mexico State decommit has scored four TDs against Wyandotte, Sumner Academy, and Harmon, and three TDs vs. Schlagle. His midseason tape displays an explosive playmaker who runs like he's shot out of a cannon and can make an impact as a WR, RB, or returner, just get the ball in his hands! Richardson has made some crazy plays in 2022 that most other athletes simply can't.   Hajek: Has scored 4 TDs in every game he's suited up for this fall. Best game was in Nemaha Central's 46-13 win against Perry-lecompton where he went 27 for 300 and 4 TDs. The 2022 stat monster showed some beautiful balance on the first play of his week 1-3 highlights, tip-toeing the sideline through multiple push/tackle attempts that would normally send a RB flying out of bounds. He also looks like a big, strong kid on tape who safeties and defenders are scared to try and tackle straight up. College coaches get at his dude!   Non 11-man Leader: Keiondre Smith (Caldwell) Senior. 5'11. - 20 rushing TDs   Michigan   Yardage: Brendan Haisenleder (Cardinal Mooney) Senior. 5'8, 190 lbs. - 1,516 rushing yards   The All-State HM, All-Catholic, and All-Region RB is off to a heckuva start in 2022, not only offensively but on the defensive side of the ball, where he's posted 55 tackles, 3 INTs, and a FF. As a RB, he's averaging close to 13 yards a carry and has an electric midseason tape filled with last-second cuts that sent defenders flying, impressive stiff-arms, great vision, and a noteworthy center of balance for his size. He's fantastic with the ball in his hands and possesses just about every move in the book to the pain and suffering of opposing defenses. Make sure you check out his tape if you get the chance!   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='30346' first='Darius' last='Taylor'] (Walled Lake Western) Senior. 5'11, 200 lbs. - 22 rushing TDs   The Minnesota Golden Gophers commit has a ton of burst and is one of - if not the - fastest player on this list. Out of a traditional I-Formation, he does some great work exploding through the interior of his OL with so much speed the LBs can't adjust quickly enough. He then has been consistent and impressive at either running straight by the safety, dishing out a dirty juke to free up space or simply run the poor kid over. He's just a different level of athlete that looks ready-made to play Big10 football and has been dominant against very strong, big school Michigan opponents. This won't be the last time you hear [player_tooltip player_id='30346' first='Darius' last='Taylor']'s name.   Minnesota   Yardage: Corey Bohmert (Mahtomedi) Senior. 5'10, 180 lbs. - 1,101 rushing yards   Out of my home state of Minnesota, 5A defending runner-up Mahtomedi is home to the state's leading rusher so far in 2022 as senior Corey Bohmert has totaled 89 carries for 1,101 yards and 15 rushing TDs, tied for first in the state as well. He's gone for nearly 200+ yards in every game of 2022, with Apple Valley only slightly holding him under 200 with a 195-yard day. His season has been highlighted by his 18 carry - 236 yard - 3 TD performance in a win hosting Tartan. Bohmert also had a 5 TD night against Cretin-Derham Hall. His midseason tape shows off a quick twitch ball carrier who can win 1-on-1 tackle situations in the open field and burn past defenders' pursuit angles when he gets a full head of steam. Speed and quickness are the name of his game.   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='244997' first='Tate' last='Link'] (Dassel-Cokato) Senior. 5'9, 200 lbs. - 15 TDs   Not far behind the state's leading rusher Bohmert comes standout wrestler, RB, and LB [player_tooltip player_id='244997' first='Tate' last='Link']. The Dassel-Cokato senior has 123 carries, 1,044 rushing yards, and 15 TDs under his belt so far through 2022 and three extra-productive games coming against Princeton (28-211-3TD), Little Falls (26-268-4TDs), and Holy Family (18-246-5TDs), the most recent of which came last Friday as DC beat down Holy Family 49-14. His midseason tape displays a compact and well-built RB with a strong lower body who can excel in short yardage situations or when you need a big run. He can break multiple tackle attempts on a single run and won't stop rumbling until the whistle is blown. I love wrestler/football combos and Link is another shining example why.   Missouri   Yardage: Jared Siler (Neosho) Senior. 5'11, 190 lbs. - 1,284 rushing yards   A hot start for Neosho's tailback catapulted him into the top of the leaderboards as 200+ yard performances against Willard (40-266-3TD), Nixa (45-287-3TD), and Carl Junction (31-242-4TD). Since then, he's surpassed the century mark in the last three games, but hasn't gone over 200 in a few week and is looking to keep the production up for the rest of 2022.   Non 11-man Leader: Jaxon Miller (Orrick) Junior. - 1,592 rushing yards   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='101700' first='Luke' last='Gall'] (Carthage) Senior. 5'11, 200 lbs. - 17 rushing TDs   5 TDs versus Republic, four vs. Carl Junction, and two 3-game performances have spearheaded the TD leader's 2022 campaign, and his 17 TDs have come off less than 100 carries (94), and an 8.4 YPC average. He covers a ton of ground with each of his steps and can start and stop and work through contact impressively in his game tape from this fall.   Non 11-man Leader: Jaxon Miller (Orrick) Junior. - 28 rushing TDs   Nebraska   Yardage: [player_tooltip player_id='217059' first='Carlos' last='Collazo'] (Aurora) Senior. 5'10, 200 lbs. - 1,138 rushing yards   Through five games the 2023 grad has posted 101 carries for 1,138 yards and 18 TDs with four 200+ yard showings the past four contests in his great state of Nebraska. Boone-Central, Ashland-Greenwood, Platteview, and St. Paul all saw him go over 200 yards and at least 3 TDs, with four tuddies coming against Boone-Central and five against St. Paul. Aurora is 5-0! His senior midseason tape shows him leaving opponents in the dust, bouncing off tackle attempts, and throwing a mean cut in once and a while to throw opponents for a loop. Collazo also showed that he'll beat down defenses and grind out tough yards in between the tackles when called upon. He's got some good hands out of the backfield as well.   Non 11-man Leader: Breckan Schluter (Exeter-Milligan/Friend) Junior. - 1,414 rushing yards   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='217059' first='Carlos' last='Collazo'] (Aurora) Senior. 5'10, 200 lbs. - 18 rushing TDs   Ohio   Yardage: Connor Smith (Gibsonburg) Senior. 5'8, 180 lbs. - 1,917 rushing yards   Holy cow what a stat line for senior Connor Smith so far through 2022. At a 6-1 record, Gibsonburg has had some big wins and an uber-impressive rushing attack led by the senior Mr. Smith. Sadly, no film is available, but check out some of these games the 5'8, 180 pounder has produced:   7 carries for 195 yards and 4 TDs against Woodmore   43 for 346 and 6 TDs against Calvert   22 carries for 343 yards and 6 TDs against Monroeville   Don't see those everyday.   Touchdowns: Connor Smith (Gibsonburg) Senior. 5'8, 180 lbs. - 28 rushing touchdowns   Wisconsin   Yardage: Trevor Asher (Elmwood/Plum City) Senior. 6', 190 lbs. - 1,767 rushing yards   Playing seven games is a big reason Asher is sitting at #1 in the rushing charts in the Badger State, but no matter how you look at it the senior has two 300+ yard games, four 200+ yard Friday nights, and 160 carries spread out between the seven contests. His 11 yards a carry average has helped Elmwood/Plum City to a 5-2 record so far in 2022. His game tape shows off a long, balanced rusher who can stride past opponents with ease and find space through traffic for big gains. I loved this one rep he had vs. Cadott where he absolutely stonewalled a defenders full-throttle attempt at a big hit and ate it without looking like he noticed. He can get into defenders toes so quickly it makes him hard to square up, but if you do get a chance you need to have hit the weight room the prior offseason.   Touchdowns: [player_tooltip player_id='104381' first='Wynn' last='Stang'] (Mukwonago) Senior. 6'1, 195 lbs. - 24 rushing TDs   The PrepRedzoneWI Showcase standout has been a beast against Division 1, big school competition in Wisconsin highlighted by a crazy 36 carry for 470 yard and 6 TD showing against Sun Prairie East to help Muk win 55-45. He also had a 25-304-4 TD game Week 1 vs. Sussex Hamilton and two more 4 TD efforts, the most recent of which came last Friday in a thrilling 28-25 victory over Oconomowoc. No updated film but take it from me, this kid runs hard.

The staple point of high school football is and always will be the running back. A QB can be an x-factor, a dominant OL coming few and far between, but a talented RB is the bread and butter of prep offenses and a big reason why offenses such as the Wing-T, Power-T, Triple-Option, and Power-I offenses still thrive and cause fits in big school programs down to small town co-ops all over the Midwest. With every state in Flyover Country at or over the midseason point of their respective regular season, I wanted to get back to some PrepRedzone Midwest features and take a look at every state's rushing leader now that Friday Night Lights have concluded in September. Eleven states' yardage and TD rushing leaders are represented below! I also stuck with 11-man programs for this feature but made sure to note the 9/8/6-man yardage leaders as well. Hope you enjoy. Also, thank you to Maxpreps, MNFootballHub, Bound, and TheDZone for the stats! This is the best I have to work with so if I missed a leader it was not intentional. Thanks for reading!