’23 Preseason Super 7 – 8 Player 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><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-1a-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super 7 – 1A Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super 7 - A 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&nbsp;<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 are the guys in the 8-player class:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252232' first='Trey' last='Fisher'], '25, Southeast Warren - </strong>The game is different with eight guys per side competing with a lot of quarterbacks carrying the football. There's plenty of offense to go around, however. Fisher (6-1, 185) rushed for 1,288 yards (6.8 YPC) and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore running back in '22. He also hauled in 12 receptions for 312 yards and five scores. On defense, he posted 36 solo tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. He returned a kick for a TD. In his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16320869/trey-fisher/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individual game highlights</a></strong> posted on Hudl, he gets downhill quickly with an ability to plow through contract or put a foot in the ground and evade would-be tacklers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320807' first='Kade' last='Mullins'], '24, Martensdale St. Mary's - </strong>Mullins (5-11, 195) was a unanimous all-district running back in '22, when he rushed for 1,247 yards (6.9 YPC) and 20 touchdowns. He added 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks on defense. Watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14862393/637841ae579842085c0a489f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, you see a back with a quick burst and top-end speed. He makes quick decisions by way of good vision. He can bang it up the gut or find a lane on stretch plays. He also cuts well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MaKade Bloker, '24, Clarksville - </strong>As a junior in '22, Bloker (5-11, 195) ran for 1,152 yards (7.7 YPC) and 14 touchdowns. He collected 6.5 tackles for loss and an interception on defense. He also housed two kick returns. He has <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14868081/MaKade-Bloker/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">single-game highlights</a></strong> on his Hudl page. He stands out as one of the best athletes on the field. He adds a high-level of physicality and plays fast. Opponents pay a price for meeting up with him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oliver Schmitt, '24, Turkey Valley - </strong>Schmitt (6-0, 180) dominates on both sides of the ball during his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14872998/63e2c1f196760b0ab4396668" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. He's a straight-ahead runner who breaks a lot of tackles or simply plows over and through opponents. His defensive clips show a quick athlete adept at pursuit. He rushed for 1,077 yards and 17 touchdowns, adding 11 catches for 230 yards and four scores. On defense, he recorded 2.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and two interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156642' first='Braxton' last='Blackburn'], '24, Fremont-Mills - </strong>Blackburn (5-9, 185) produced as a three-phase performer for the Knights in '22. He rushed for 1,035 yards (8.9 YPC) and 17 touchdowns. He wreaked havoc on defense with 18.0 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks. He averaged 28.5 yards on kick returns with a TD. In watching a few <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14625854/Braxton-Blackburn/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individual-game clips</a></strong> from last fall, he's quick and disruptive on defense. Those skills also play when he's carrying the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1358956' first='Brett' last='Plants'], '25, Montezuma - </strong>I would love to see more film of Plants (5-10, 180) beyond the two '22 clips he has posted on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17818226/Brett-Plants/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong>. He helps out the Braves all over the field. He rushed for 903 yards and eight touchdowns, caught 17 passes for 157 yards and two scores and racked up 50 solo tackles. He added 8.5 tackles for loss and picked off a pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin Williams, '24, CAM - </strong>The Cougars leaned heavily on Williams' talent in '22. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder ran for 851 yards and 16 touchdowns, caught 10 passes for 105 yards and four scores and recorded 45 solo tackles. He added 9.0 tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions. He ended up in the end zone on 18 two-point conversions. He did not have any video posted on <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10772779/Austin-Williams/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">his Hudl</a></strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->