Week 1 Standouts: Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 10 backs all balled out in their first game of the 2023 high school football season. They each led their respective teams on the ground in an impressive week one performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406997' first='Tevita' last='Valeti'] || RB || 6'0 || 195 || Springville High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valeti led the state in rushing yards during the regular season last year and picked up right where he left off to begin his senior campaign. Springville's star back decimated Dixie for 180 yards and five touchdowns in the Red Devils 34-7 win. Valeti uses his elite vision and physicality to maximize each carry and break tackles on his way into the end zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Eardley || RB || 5'9 || 195 || American Fork High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eardley was unreal against Roy. The Cavemen back rushed for over 150 yards on just 15 carries. He scored twice and led American Fork's offense to a 42-14 road win. Eardley was a man on a mission last Friday as he refused to go down. He averaged a whopping 10.3 yards per carry and was constantly breaking out of tackles or dragging defenders with him for extra yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='573763' first='Brooks' last='Wilde'] || RB || 5'9 || 185 || Lone Peak High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilde was a force to be reckoned with in the run and passing game vs Bingham last Thursday night. He scored his first touchdown of the season on a long catch and run out of the backfield. Wilde has elite breakaway speed and burned Miners defenders on his long touchdown run. He constantly moved the chains and broke tackles in an impressive all-around performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pearson Judy || RB || 6'1 || 164 || Gunnison Valley High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Judy leads all running backs in the state in rushing yards after week one. The Bulldog's lead back had over 230 yards on the ground and a touchdown to help Gunnison Valley beat American Leadership 42-28. Judy runs hard every time he touches the rock and moved the chains repeatedly last Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brevin Egbert || RB || 5'10 || 185 || Sky View High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Egbert had over 250 yards from scrimmage against Salem Hills in Sky View's season opening win. He scored three touchdowns and was unstoppable with the ball in his hands. Egbert would not be denied in the red zone but also ripped off a 59-yard touchdown run. Egbert has good vision and quick feet that helped him put on an incredible week one performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294948' first='Tyson' last='Ferry'] || RB&nbsp;</strong>||&nbsp;<strong>5'7 || 185 || Stansbury High School || 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ferry had a fantastic week one performance for the Stallions. He had over 200 yards and three touchdowns to help Stansbury win 32-19 over Snow Canyon. Ferry possesses exceptional bursts and can be hard to stop once he finds a hole. He can make plays out of the backfield in the passing game and makes quick cuts to shake defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406998' first='Cash' last='Henderson'] || RB || 6'1 || 205 || Woods Cross High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson went off for 116 yards and three touchdowns in a fantastic week one performance. He led the Wildcat's offense all night. All three of his touchdowns came in the second half, including his big 50-yard score. Henderson trusted his blockers and broke several tackles leading to his first big rushing performance of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='407003' first='Will' last='McCurdy'] || 5'10 || 165 || Park City High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCurdy was magnificent against Wasatch in Park City's 41-24 season opening win over the Wasps. The Miners star back would not be denied in the red zone, where he scored all four of his rushing touchdowns. McCurdy never wares down and scored in all four quarters. His exceptional vision and elite burst will make him a force to be reckoned with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='532689' first='Semisi' last='Kinikini'] || RB || 5'10 || 180 || Mountian Ridge High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sentinels leading rusher returned after a phenomenal junior campaign and began his senior year by helping Mountain Ridge beat Fremont 37-20. He scored the first touchdown of the season and finished the game with over 70 yards from scrimmage. Kinikini's quickness makes it hard for defenses to contain him. He makes excellent decisions when deciding whether to keep runs in between the tackles or bounce them to the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402743' first='Devaughn' last='Eka'] || RB || 5'10 || 165 || Lehi High School || 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eka showed off his exceptional speed in the first game of the high school football season. The Lehi back left Davis's defenders in the dust on his 73-yard touchdown run. Eka bounced a run to the outside and separated from defenders instantly. His quick feet and elusiveness will unlock a new dimension to the Pioneer's offense, making them hard to contain.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->