Top Rushing Performances in Week 5
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A survey of the top ball carriers among our most recent slate of games includes some savvy, established veterans who are impacting their teams’ success in their final seasons, as well as some impressive underclassmen who seem poised to establish…
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Continue ReadingA survey of the top ball carriers among our most recent slate of games includes some savvy, established veterans who are impacting their teams’ success in their final seasons, as well as some impressive underclassmen who seem poised to establish themselves among the most promising talents to emerge this season. Whether grinding out the tough yards via inside runs in short yardage situations or flipping the field with long, game-changing runs, these running back prospects exhibited the skill sets, durability and resolve to energize their respective offensive attacks and excite fans/followers about the possibilities for more standout ground game production in the near future.
Hampton’s breakout performance in the Red Devils’ 61-21 crosstown road win at Apollo has fans and followers alike excited about the prospects for another strong finish to the regular season and deep playoff run that has become customary for the Owensboro program. His 179 yards rushing on only 8 carries included a pair of 61-yard touchdown runs in the first half and second half scoring runs of 7 and 10 yards. In addition to also hauling in 5 pass receptions for 23 yards, he contributed over 150 yards in kick returns. For the season, he has enlisted his elite speed, excellent vision and efficient redirection skills to average over 10 yards per touch (39 rushes, 420 yards) and 7 touchdowns, in addition to another 27 receptions for 303 yards and 1 touchdown. Currently committed to play baseball at the University of Kentucky, his averages of 120.0 total yards and 8.0 points per game rank him among Class AAAAA’s top 25 performers in rushing, receiving and scoring.
A talented and durable competitor with excellent speed and physical length, Olive’s breakout performance running the football was integral to his Tigers’ big 38-35 road victory over Class AAAAAA McCracken County. Exhibiting the physicality necessary to carry the football 31 times, he finished the evening with 213 yards rushing and contributed 3 touchdowns, all of them essential to securing his squad’s noteworthy road win. Currently the #14 rusher in Class AA with 455 yards and 6 touchdowns on 76 carries, his 16 pass receptions for 263 yards and another touchdown only underscore his exceptional athleticism and developing skill set. Now averaging 143.6 yards of total offense and 8.4 points per game, Olive also ranks 22nd among all Class AA receivers and 20th in scoring. A member of two state championship relay teams for the Murray track program, his speed and versatility make him well suited for a number of offensive skill positions at the next level.
Kymani Reardon
Kymani Reardon
After launching his high school career with 165 yards rushing in the Commanders’ season-opening win over Valley, Reardon has now surpassed the century mark in rushing for the second time in his freshman season, and all indications point toward the very high probability of many more to come. In his squad’s 54-28 win over Eminence, he broke free for 114 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 successful two-point conversion on 13 total carries and displayed increasing adaptation to the elevated physicality and contact levels of high school football at the varsity level. For the season, his 456 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns on 61 carries rank him 23rd among all Class AA ball carriers and comprise a big contributor to Washington County’s first 4-2 start since 2019. Also athletic enough to haul in 4 pass receptions this season for 65 yards and 1 touchdown, Reardon’s productivity and offensive versatility will only increase with added repetitions and experience.
Kaden Ruff
Kaden Ruff
It’s always gratifying in sports to see athletes rewarded for their persistence and resilience in the face of difficulty, so likely everyone can appreciate the resurgence of the Jeffersontown program this fall, and the contributions of Ruff both offensively and defensively are big reasons for the Chargers’ turnaround. In their 50-20 win over Doss that now vaults the program to 6-0 for the first time in 40 years, Ruff carried the ball 15 times for 178 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns and a successful two-point conversion and exhibited the vision, patience and breakaway speed to turn modest gains into game-changing plays. With 757 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns in 5 games, his average of 151.4 yards per game currently ranks him 3rd among all rushers in Class AAAA and 12th statewide. Having also passed for 1 touchdown and scored another via pass reception, Ruff ranks #14 among all scorers in Class AAAA and has surpassed 100 yards rushing in 4 of his 5 games played.
Julian Seymour
Julian Seymour
In the Dragons’ most recent contest–a 33-0 shutout road victory at Barren County–Seymour was 1 of 2 Green County rushers who topped the 100-yard mark, as he totaled 106 yards and 3 touchdowns for the evening on 17 carries. Also averaging over 20 yards per receptions on 3 catches, he exhibits the vision and downhill demeanor to excel at inside runs and “move the pile” when needed, but also the efficient change-of-direction mechanics and elusiveness create problems for defenders in space. Currently both the leading rusher and leading tackler for the 5-1 Dragons, his per-game rushing average of 103.3 yards ranks him 7th among all Class AA rushers with 620 yards and 10 touchdowns on 85 carries. Likewise a talented receiver and defensive back, he has caught 12 balls this season for 153 yards, has intercepted 2 passes from his cornerback position defensively and currently ranks 13th among all Class AA scorers with an average of 10.3 points per game.