Inside The Rankings: Eleven Backs Past 2K

A 1,000-yard rushing season is a long-time benchmark for offensive success. A bunch of guys in the Palmetto State met or surpassed that number this year.   But 11 guys doubled it.   A couple Mr. Football finalists. All-stars, all-state, all-region guys. Three state champs, and more semifinalists. Here's a look at the players who eclipsed 2,000 yards on the ground in 2022.   1. [player_tooltip player_id='262552' first='Tyler' last='J Smith'], ‘23, Barnwell, 2,903   2. [player_tooltip player_id='202726' first='Markel' last='Townsend'], ‘23, AC Flora, 2,660   3. Ty Martin, '23, Dillon, 2655   4. [player_tooltip player_id='317140' first='Trey' last='Thompson'], ‘24, Andrew Jackson 2,509   5. [player_tooltip player_id='91136' first='Jarvis' last='Green'], '23, Dutch Fork, 2,272   6. [player_tooltip player_id='336146' first='Kacy' last='Fields'], '23, Beaufort, 2,230   7. [player_tooltip player_id='582092' first='Darren' last='Lloyd'], '23, West Florence, 2,219   8. [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'], '24, Christ Church, 2,157   9. [player_tooltip player_id='265222' first='Turbo' last='Richard'], '24, Northwestern, 2,093   10. [player_tooltip player_id='340388' first='Terrence' last='Smith'] '24 (QB), South Aiken, 2,083   11. [player_tooltip player_id='464882' first='Jamarcus' last='Williams'], '25, Hannah-Pamplico, 2,006     [player_tooltip player_id='262552' first='Tyler' last='J Smith'], Barnwell   Smith was the most productive RB in the state last season, period. He rushed for more than 2,900 yards, accounted for 48 total touchdowns, and often made opponents look like they were trying to tackle a video game cheat code.    [player_tooltip player_id='202726' first='Markel' last='Townsend'], AC Flora   The Falcons were ranked near the top of 4A all year, and Townsend is a big part of the reason why. He rushed for 2,660 yards, scored 43 total TDs, and put Flora on his back at time. Townsend averaged more than nine yards per carry and almost 200 per game.    Ty Martin, RB, Dillon   Martin helped lead the Wildcats to an undefeated regular season record, another region title, and a berth in the 3A Lower State title game before falling to eventual state champion Beaufort. He rushed for 2,655 yards and 28 touchdowns on the year. (Video not available; PRZ was not alerted to his overall production until January.)   [player_tooltip player_id='317140' first='Trey' last='Thompson'], Andrew Jackson   Thompson, a junior, got his 2,509 yards through a rare combination of patience, speed, and power. With 4.5 speed, he's usually going to beat you to the corner. If he doesn't, he's probably just going to run over you.    [player_tooltip player_id='91136' first='Jarvis' last='Green'], Dutch Fork   Mr. Football. 5A state champion. The most dominant player on the state's most dominant team. There's a lot you can say about Green, but those simple facts - and his ridiculous 2,272 yards and 41 total TDs - say plenty.    [player_tooltip player_id='336146' first='Kacy' last='Fields'], Beaufort   Fields has a ton of speed, remarkable balance, and requires a ridiculously small amount of space to get his hips square and get up to full speed. He's equally dangerous as a return man. All that combined to help him account for 2,230 yards on the ground and helped push Beaufort to the 3A state title.      [player_tooltip player_id='582092' first='Darren' last='Lloyd'], West Florence   Lloyd was downright scary in the Knights' offensive attack. He accounted for more than 2,600 total yards, including 2,219 on the ground, and scored 31 TDs. He's got a great burst, and the ability to bounce off tacklers that puts his yards-after-contact off the charts.    [player_tooltip player_id='267466' first='Dashun' last='Reeder'], Christ Church   Reeder is the third feature back on this list to help his team win a state title. His 2,157 rushing yards paced the Cavaliers as they dominated the 1A ranks, and he'll be back for another shot next season.    [player_tooltip player_id='265222' first='Turbo' last='Richard'], Northwestern   It's possible there's not a better football name in the state that "Turbo". It's appropriate. Richard's sub-4.5 speed helped him to a 2,500-yard offensive season, with nearly 2,100 of it on the ground. He's a matchup nightmare, both out of the backfield and in the passing game.    [player_tooltip player_id='340388' first='Terrence' last='Smith'], QB, South Aiken   The only quarterback on the list, Smith proved how dangerous he can be with his legs with 2,083 yards on the ground. He accounted for 3,000 total yards, with 32 total TDs.    [player_tooltip player_id='464882' first='Jamarcus' last='Williams'], Hannah-Pamplico   Williams finished with 2,006 rushing yards, and as just a sophomore, will have plenty of opportunities to pad his already gaudy career statistics. He has plenty of speed and runs with power as well, easily shedding tacklers at the line of scrimmage and turning routine plays into big gains.

A 1,000-yard rushing season is a long-time benchmark for offensive success. A bunch of guys in the Palmetto State met or surpassed that number this year.