Top 10 State Championship Performances: RBs

<p>We continue our series of looking at the Top Performances from the State Championship games with a look at the running back group. This group of talented student-athletes definitely stole the show in the vast majority of games. We saw some of the state's top talent, monster workloads, and game changing performances. This is a deep group that should see every member playing at the next level when their time comes. Let's dive into how they made the Top 10, and what they showed us on the big stage!</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='104485' first='Blake' last='Barry'], '23- Kimberly</h2>   <p>In a group filled with big time performances, one stood out from the rest. That performance was put on by Kimberly senior [player_tooltip player_id='104485' first='Blake' last='Barry']. The 6' 210 lbs RB was unstoppable in the D1 State Championship game. His performance led the Papermakers to the Championship. The final numbers are elite. Barry put up<em> 33 carries, for 184 rushing yards, and tied a State record with 4 rushing TDs</em>. He also sprinkled in <em>2 receptions for 15 yards</em>. This shouldn't come as a surprise though. Barry has made it a habit of taking over games with his patience, vision, and power. All three shined on Friday night, as well as his clutch, big play making potential. From start to finish, it was Blake who moved the offense up and down the field consistently. He also was the one to punch in the game winning TD with :26 left. We have been big fans of Blake's here at Prep Redzone WI. It is time that he gets the recruiting attention he deserves from the next level. The workhorse has next level talent to tap into. no more sleeping on him.</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='104359' first='Zander' last='Rockow'], '23- Regis</h2>   <p>One of the state's most talented prospects ended his HS career with a record setting performance on the way to a Gold Ball. He set the D7 Championship Game record with <em>251 rushing yards on 16 carries, while adding 3 TDs</em>. From literally the first play of the game, Zander was unstoppable. He went 65 yards for a score on the first offensive snap, and didn't look back from there. Rockow showed off his elite power and athleticism combination. We got to see his light footwork and body control as he made cuts and plays along the sideline. The 6'1" 240 lbs back also had plenty of power to rip through arm tackles and pile up yards after contact. There was no slowing down the Gopher commit as he put up 15.7 yards per carry. Gophers have a talented prospect on the way.</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='268947' first='Colton' last='Brunell'], '24- Columbus</h2>   <p>Another dominant performance came from junior RB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='268947' first='Colton' last='Brunell']. Colton could be put into the ATH group in this series thanks to his 10 tackles on defense, but his offensive work was so important to Columbus winning the Championship that I wanted to focus on that side of the ball. Colton finished with <em>38 carries 186 yards, and 2 rushing TDs.</em> The 6' 210 lbs junior is a tone setting, power back. He has the ruggedness needed for that play style. He runs behind his pads, absorbs contact without losing ground, and has a strong disposition. He has the contact balance to also highlight that power. He bounces off would be tacklers while advancing the ball. He has a low center of gravity and foot coordination to keep him upright amid contact. The top performing athlete also demonstrated his stamina by playing both ways against some of the top competition in the state. He didn't slow down throughout the game, and made an impact from start to finish. He is one of the top junior talents at the RB position. We could even see him on the other side of the ball at the next level.</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='405620' first='Koehler' last='Kilty'], '24- Stratford</h2>   <p>Kilty was the workhorse that moved the Stratford offense up and down the field on the way to a D6 State Championship. The 6' 195 lbs junior used his patented powerful running style to put together his <em>35 carry, 192 rushing yards, 3 TDs </em>performance. It is fun watching Kilty play. There is no surprise to Stratford's game plan. Feed Koehler the rock, and let him work. Everything that has to do with power stood out at some point Thursday afternoon. His ability to run behind his pads to pick up yards. Always being able to gain yards, even while taking hits. The junior also proves to have great ball security despite his weekly huge workload. Koehler is another two way player, so you know the stamina is there as well. Kilty is a name to know for next year.</p>   <h2>Tucker Markham, '23- Monroe</h2>   <p>Tucker is an under the radar gem who I believe could play either side of the ball at the next level. He makes our Top 10 Performances at the RB position with his record tying performance. The 6'2" 195 lbs senior RB finished with<em> 20 carries, 170 rushing yards, and tied the record with 4 rushing TDs</em>. It seemed like everywhere Markham looked he found green grass to attack. He was a patient runner that allowed blocks to develop, giving him the ability to gain a lot of yards before contact. Tucker also had the physicality to finish off plays in a positive manner. Either by breaking tackles, or at least falling forward. That combo of patience and power led to his 8.5 yards per carry average on the day. He picked a great time to have his best game of the season.</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='245970' first='Corey' last='Smith'], '24- Catholic Memorial</h2>   <p>When it comes to pure talent, there isn't a more talented student-athlete in WI than the junior RB out of Catholic Memorial. The 6' 180 lbs junior makes everything look effortless. He checks off so many boxes you look for in an FBS level talent. He has the natural instincts for the position. He runs to daylight, gains positive yards, runs without hesitation, sees the field well, can create something out of nothing. His ability to make people miss is special too thanks to his change of direction. You can always assume he is going to make the first tackler miss. Lastly, Corey has an innate ability to make the unusual play look easy. He can turn any touch into a game breaking play, generates several plays of 10+ yards, and adds the coveted ability of being a dangerous pass catcher out of the backfield. While his touches, and big play weren't enough to bring home the trophy, Corey still dominated with his touches. On the night, Smith went <em>17 carries, 95 yards, 2 rushing TDs, and 1 reception for 34 yards</em>. A big final season is in store for Corey.</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='31392' first='Najeh' last='Mitchell'], '23- West De Pere</h2>   <p>Najeh is one of the most electric playmakers with the ball in his hands. He proved it again with his State Championship performance. He finished the day with <em>14 carries, 66 rushing yards, and 5 receptions, for 63 receiving yards</em>. The top trait for Najeh on the day was his catching skills. He locates and adjusts to the ball very well, and has naturally soft hands. His biggest play of the day was on their first drive where he flipped the field with a screen pass. Najeh's vision in the open field to find blocks and cutback lanes, as well as his exceptional speed make him a nightmare in the open field. He is also a nightmare matchup for a defense. The play speed lived up to the hype as well. He played at a different speed than the rest of the talented field, and can stop/start in an instant. Unfortunately for the next level, Najeh is already committed to UM- Duluth where he will be switching to WR. Big things are ahead for the playmaker, and I;m excited to watch.</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='304448' first='Blake' last='Schraufnagel'], '23- Mayville</h2>   <p>It is no surprise that the First Team AP All State RB went out with a good performance Thursday night. While it wasn't enough to bring home the trophy Blake was able to put together another workhorse type game with<em> 32 carries, 132 yards, and 1 rushing TD</em>. Yards were not easy to come by, but that was okay for the senior ball carrier. Having to play a physical type of game fed right into his style of play. The 6'1" 195 lbs athlete has an intriguing combination of ruggedness and athleticism. When he had to, Blake ran behind his pads well, played tough, refused to give up ground, even when hit, and was hard to drag down. He also has the speed to capitalize on the few times he was able to break loose into the open field. Blake also adds position versatility. He is a solid safety prospect as well. One of the top remaining uncommitted prospects.</p>   <h2>Mason Radobicky, '25- Mukwonago</h2>   <p>I don't think the day went how the underclassman expected it to go when he woke up. Mason came into the D1 State Championship as the backup to the most prolific running back of the season. Before Friday night, Mason had 14 carries on the season. However, after an injury to the lead back Radobicky was thrust into the starting role. I was impressed with how quickly he warmed up to the role. Mason finished the day with<em> 13 carries, 75 rushing yards, and 1 rushing TD</em>. His play was a big piece to Mukwonago being able to battle with Kimberly right to the final whistle. The 5'8" 170 lbs RB was able to show off some wiggle and slipperiness to his game as he was able to get through tight running lanes. Kimberly fielded a very talented front seven, so yards were hard to come by. Radobicky got better and better at finding those yards as the game went on. Mason put himself on the map with his performance Friday night. He will be a name we follow for the next few years.</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='104381' first='Wynn' last='Stang'], '23- Mukwonago</h2>   <p>It wasn't a "Top Performance", but Wynn deserves a shout out here for his season. Wynn caught a tough break to end his HS career. What was one of the most prolific seasons in WI HS history, ended with disappointment as Stang suffered an injury on his second carry that put him out for the game. Wynn had over 2,700 rushing yards and 40+ rushing TDs coming into the game. He was the ultimate workhorse leading his team into Camp Randall with a 12-1 record. The 6'1" 190 lbs RB offers instincts for the position that you can't teach. Patience, a feel for blocks and cut back lanes, and the ability to create something out of nothing. I'm excited for the young man's future and look forward to what is next for him.</p>

We continue our series of looking at the Top Performances from the State Championship games with a look at the running back group. This group of talented student-athletes definitely stole the show in the vast majority of games. We saw some of the state's top talent, monster workloads, and game changing performances. This is a deep group that should see every member playing at the next level when their time comes. Let's dive into how they made the Top 10, and what they showed us on the big stage!