Week 8’s Outstanding Performances in the Running Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excelling as a ball carrier in today's offensive systems typically requires a good deal more than just exceptional speed and strength. Whether lining up as a traditional running back, a hybrid/slot or even a running quarterback, the most consistently productive and durable performers must work to embody a combination of physical and mental traits that demand a resolute commitment to hard work and teamwork to achieve. Thus, the most accomplished running backs are those who navigate the game with athleticism, vision, agility, and toughness while also maintaining a selfless attitude and remaining coachable team players. While comprising a variety of positions, skill sets, and offensive systems, this week's collection of top rushing performers help confirm several of the game's most basic demands/qualifications:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["262300"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A physically mature freshman with exceptional acceleration and ball skills, Brock has proven himself a durable, consistent performer even in the midst of an uncharacteristic sub-.500 season for his Maroons program. In his squad's 53-6 district road win at Harlan County, he topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season while compiling 243 yards and 3 touchdowns on 16 carries and also hauled in 2 pass receptions for 25 yards. Currently the #3-ranked rusher in Class AAAAA (#26 statewide) with 1,145 yards and 11 touchdowns on 149 carries, his ability to make defenders miss in open spaceu002du002dcoupled with his versatility as a receiver whether aligned in the tackle box or in the slotu002du002dmake him an offensive threat who can impact games in a wide variety of ways. The #25 scorer in Class AAAAA (8.0 points per game), Brock and his teammates will travel to crosstown rival Soutwestern this week for their traditional district clash.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["373053"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the most formidable and dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the state this season, Grant turned in his most prolific single-game rushing total this fall in the Indians' 33-13 win over Butler County, breaking out for 224 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 two-point conversion on only 8 carries. Topping the 200-yard mark in rushing for the second time this fall, he also completed 4 of 11 pass attempts for 36 yards and another touchdown and now averages over 280 yards of total offense per outing. Currently ranked #5 among all Class AAA rushers (11th statewide), he has produced 1,165 yards and 16 touchdowns on 127 carries while also completing 80 of 148 pass attempts for 1,093 yards and 11 scores. Coupled with exellent straight line speed, Grant's elusiveness and ability to change direction efficiently combine to make him a challenging opponent to tackle one-on-one in the open field. Currently averaging 13.8 points per game, he is the #6 scorer in Class AAA (#19 statewide). A dynamic competitor with multiple skills, he projects favorable to a number of offensive skill positions at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Durell Turner","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Simon Kenton","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Currently the #1 rusher in Class AAAAAA, Turner's most recent outing resulted in his third 200-plus yard rushing performance of the season and secured his Pioneers their fourth consecutive win, a thrilling 27-21 district victory over Campbell County secured on the game's final play. Totaling 205 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, he also hauled in 4 pass receptions for 37 yards and proved invaluable to extending drives/possessions throughout the back-and-forth contest. Averaging 164.1 yards rushing per game on 149 carries (#7 statewide), he has found the end zone 12 times and exhibits the physicality to endure as many as 25-30 carries per game if needed. The 4th-ranked scorer in Class AAAAAA averaging 10.6 points per game, his perimeter speed, vision and cutback ability make him a threat to score from any field position for his Pioneers, currently #1 in Class AAAAAA team rushing (235 yards per game) and #2 in team scoring (36.7 points per game).","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["653381"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"After rushing for over 1,800 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior for his state runner-up Tigers squad last season, most would acknowledge that an encore performance would be particularly challenging, but thus far, it appears that Williams is more than up for the challenge after his exceptional performance last week. In his team's 41-3 win at crosstown rival Nelson County, he compiled 173 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 two-point conversion on only 13 carries, in addition to taking his lone reception 80 yards for a touchdown while also completing 2 of 2 pass attempts for 16 yards and another score. An exceptionally elusive ball carrier with top-notch acceleration and change-of-direction skills, he has now topped 3,000 yds. rushing over the past 2 seasons and has now surpassed 4,300 rushing yards for his prep career. Currently averaging 141.4 yards per game, he ranks 4th among all Class AAAA rushers and 16th statewide, and his average of 14.2 points per game, affords him those same rankings. As both a ball carrier and special teams contributor, Williams' suitability for innovative next-level offenses is noteworthy.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Kassani Wilson","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Kentucky Country Day","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"A compact and physical downhill runner with the ability to make second/third level defenders miss, Wilson's talents and durability both were fully evident in his undefeated Bearcats' most recent win, a 35-28 district triumph over Louisville Holy Cross. Powering through 27 carries on the night, he generated 183 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns, in addition to producing another 23 yards on 3 pass receptions.  Displaying the pad level, downhill path and explosiveness to run through initial contact, he proves exceptionally difficult to corral in open space and often requires two or more opposing defenders to bracket or force him out of bounds in tandem. Typically aligning as the lone back in a 50-50 run/pass offense enlisting spread formations, he has garnered 894 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 128 carries, along with 12 receptions for 101 yards and another score. Averaging 111.8 yards rushing per game, he currently ranks 4th among Class A rushers (34th statewide) and 13th among Class A scorers with an average of 9.5 points per game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652e9f0675b9c"} /-->