Top Running Back Performances From Week One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 season is underway, and we saw plenty of top running backs across the state step up and make a statement in week one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are they?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/tyrone/sandy-creek-patriots/athletes/amari-latimer/football/stats/?careerid=jb82aeeq4uek4">[player_tooltip player_id='910346' first='Amari' last='Latimer']</a> - Sandy Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top young running backs in the Atlanta area, Latimer is a speedy back who can really take off down the field when given a sliver of space to run. He's one of the very best in the 2026 class, and after a big off-season on the recruiting trail and a massive week one performance, Latimer is showing he's one of the best pure backs across the state. Playing for the reigning 3A state champions, Latimer showed he can can take over games on the ground, rushing for 274 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns. He averaged an eye-opening 11 yards per carry on those 25 carrier. Coming off an outstanding freshman season, Latimer is already showing he's one of the most productive backs in the state regardless of class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Justus Savage - Langston Hughes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One a massive stage and in front of an ESPN audience, Savage led Langston Hughes to a massive 39-34 win over powerhouse Carrollton. He was. In a matchup featuring two of the best quarterbacks across the state, Savage was easily on the most productive players in the game. He scored multiple touchdowns and ran for 135 yards in the big win. He also caught two passes for a combined 24 yards. He showed great burst, acceleration, and a knack for finishing runs and finding the end-zone. He did it against a very talented defense and one of the best 7A programs in Georgia. Savage was impressive and could keep running wild the rest of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zo Smalls- Savannah Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, tackle-breaking back from Savannah, Smalls ran through the Hilton Head Christian Academy defense like a knife through butter. The 5-foot-9 190-pounder looks to have put on plenty of muscle in the off-season and ran hard all night long. He bounced off tackles consistently and had one of the best nights of any back not only in South Georgia, but across the peach-state. He dominated as a sophomore last year, and got his junior season off to a tremendous start, rushing just 10 times for 160 yards and four touchdowns. That's an impressive 16 yards per carry while scoring almost half the time he carried the ball. He's a big play waiting to happen and just too big and fast for opposing defenders in the region. He's one of the states' best in the 2025 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/hephzibah/hephzibah-rebels/athletes/telly-johnson/football/stats/?careerid=r50950p191s88">Telly Johnson</a> - Hephzibah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In arguably the most dominant performance across the state, the Augusta-area back had a game for the ages in week one of his senior season, rushing for a crazy 226 yards and four touchdowns on just nine carrier. He carried the ball just nine times, but scored four touchdowns. He ran up and down the field, showing outstanding balance, toughness, speed, and the ability to break tackles. He did a little bit of everything, making the defense look silly just about every time. He torched defenses consistently last year as well, but it's clear he's out for blood as a senior. He's an impressive back that deserves more attention. Especially after a monster opening weekend. He averaged an eye-opening 25 yards per carry including an impressive 99-yard touchdown. Look for Johnson to be one of the state's leading rushers if he keeps up this outstanding play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/bainbridge/bainbridge-bearcats/athletes/keenan-phillips/football/stats/?careerid=oghhiiic11b11">[player_tooltip player_id='896586' first='Keenan' last='Phillips']</a> - Bainbridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top backs down in South Georgia, Phillips had himself an outstanding game one of the 2023 season, rushing 17 times for 206 yards and two touchdowns. A shift back with breakaway speed, Phillips certainly brought is "A" game on Friday night, slashing his way up and down the field, averaging an impressive 12 yards per carry during Bainbridge's 55-3 win over Eagle's Landing Christian. He did a great job of making defenders miss while powering through would-be tackles. He showed good burst, patience, and a natural feel for the position. He's not the biggest guy, but he ran extremely well and had one of the best games of any South Georgia back to start the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->