’23 Preseason Super 7 – 1A Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-5a-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super 7 – 5A Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-4a-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super 7 – 4A Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-3a-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super 7 – 3A Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-2a-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super 7 - 2A Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa –&nbsp;</strong>The 2023 high school football season is just a short summer away. It will be here before we know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can read about the quarterbacks <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>, and now we'll take a look at seven standout runnings backs in each class. Here's 1A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320866' first='Ben' last='Gordon'], '24, Van Meter - </strong>Gordon (5-11, 180) helped the Bulldogs win a state championship last season when he rushed for 1,734 yards (8.1 YPC) and 28 touchdowns. He added 10 receptions, three of which went for scores. He stands out among the competition <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14812855/638edd2bff025803d03cd78c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>when watching him run the ball</strong></a>. His ability shines through whether he's evading defenders with speed or power. He can play the position in college with the bonus of a frame and athleticism that could be intriguing at other spots, like slot or the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156641' first='Wyatt' last='Powell'], '24, MFL-MarMac - </strong>Powell (6-1, 210) is a really good football player who happens to play running back as well as linebacker. He racked up 1,154 yards (10.8 YPC) and 15 touchdowns rushing as a junior in '22 for a squad that reached the state quarterfinals. On defense, he piled up 42 solo tackles with 16.5 going for loss and 8.5 sacks. He scored on a 76-yard kick return as well. Powell's lateral quickness stands out in <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14891251/636feae64205d607741e9fc6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his junior highlights</a></strong>. He's a threat sideline-to-sideline on both sides of the ball. He brings plenty of straight-ahead speed as well and enjoys physicality. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Mantel, '24, Western Christian - </strong>With 1,122 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing last fall, Mantel (6-0, 185) established himself as one of the better running backs in 1A. He also stressed defenses with 15 receptions for 251 yards and two scores. He picked off a pair of passes to go with 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack. <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14840931/644c8169968165115030a5a7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">His junior highlights</a> </strong>reveal a fluid runner that's a home-run threat and also can power through defenders. Toting the rock could be in his future at the next level, but his athleticism and versatility would play at other positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benny Schirz, '24, Pella Christian - </strong>A multi-sport standout, Schirz (6-3, 200) looks electric with the ball in his hands when watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15017507/6380206b7bd38404bce576a3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. Tall for a running back, he does well in keeping his pads low and flowing with his blocking. He runs effectively between the tackles and has an extra gear in the open field, which opens up possibilities at other positions. He rushed for 1,117 yards (8.0 YPC) and 19 touchdowns as an 11th-grader in '22 with 11 receptions for 124 yards. He registered 12 solo tackles and intercepted a pass on defense. He returned eight punts for 153 yards and a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156457' first='Carver' last='Blietz-Bentien'], '24, MFL-MarMac - </strong>Blietz-Bentien (6-0, 205) teamed with Powell for a powerful 1-2 punch in the Bulldog backfield. Blietz-Bentien rushed for 846 yards (7.1 YPC) and nine touchdowns. He added four receiving scores. On defense, he piled up 30 solo tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. He also blocked a punt. You see excellent athleticism when viewing his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14199943/6380327ac11a570598affe4f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. Speed also stands out. Defensively, he diagnoses plays well and is quick to the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddox Nelson, '24, Underwood - </strong>Nelson (5-10, 185) displays a nice mixture of running back skills when watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14839347/634cb67e0428dc13fccfadbf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. He can power through the middle of the line or reach the edge with quick feet. He runs away from defenders in the open field. He rushed for 789 yards (7.5 YPC) and 15 touchdowns last fall. He also caught 15 passes for 116 yards and three scores. On defense, he recorded 12.0 tackles for loss and a Pick-6. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1286431' first='Nick' last='Severseike'], '25, South Hamilton - </strong>As a sophomore in '22, Severseike (6-2, 170) rushed for 765 yards (8.9 YPC) and 10 touchdowns. He registered 17 solo tackles, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass. He shows off a knack for finding openings when running stretch plays and turns on the jets when he finds a seam when viewing his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16542573/63d406513448530b281d3b97" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophomore highlights</a></strong>. He also picks up yards between the tackles, running with good pad level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->