Idaho Bowl: Closer Look at the 8th Grade Running Backs Selected

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In its first year, the Idaho Bowl is a 6th, 7th and 8th grade INVITE ONLY Bowl Game series consisting of the best athletes from all across the Gem State. Athletes are reviewed through a nomination process and selected by the Idaho Bowl Nomination Committee. Across the three games/grade levels, there are athletes locked in representing over 75 different future high schools throughout the state. Here'a look at the 8th grade (class of 2028) Running Backs selected for this year's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1263843"],"_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":"- Listed at 5-foot-11 and 180-pounds, he's bigger than nearly half a dozen OL/DL on the Blue Teamrnrn- Multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball. Still very raw on the gridiron, as he's only been playing for two yearsrnrn- Thick lower body that allows him to break the attempted tackles of defenders who don't wrap uprnrn- Scored eight (eight) touchdowns in a single game this past season against New Plymouth","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1263853"],"_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":"- Arguably the top overall athlete selected for this 2024 8th Grade Idaho Bowl, he'll be suiting up for the Red Teamrnrn- Listed as an ATH because he played Quarterback this year at Lewis u0026amp; Clarke. However, in 7v7 he's running as a WR/DB. The kid is explosive and should be used as a weapon in a bunch of situationsrnrn- Three-sport athlete (track and field, football, basketball) whose best sport could be basketball. Exceptional quickness that matches up with any 2028 prospect in the countryrnrn- While running in space on the football field, his basketball tendencies take over. He stays low as to not open himself up for unnecessary hits and protects the ball. Honestly, looks like he Euro-steps his was around defenders","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1263916"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"- If we're going to give the superlative of u003cemu003eu0022Most Athletic Running Backu0022u003c/emu003e to [player_tooltip player_id='1263853' first='Quincey' last='Clay'] (listed above), then [player_tooltip player_id='1263916' first='Riley' last='Stewart'] has to be considered the u003cemu003eu0022Most Complete Running Backu0022. u003c/emu003eStewart will be on the Red Team.rnrn- Excellent agility and mobility out of a Running Back at this level. Knows when and how to cut better than a lot of high school-aged prospectsrnrn- Spends obvious time in the weight room and training on top of being a three-sport athlete and a JNHS memberrnrn- Before heading to Skyline and making another run at a state title, he rushed for reportedly more than 1,000 yards in just eight games this past season","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66327ee9434a1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1263882' first='Caydyn' last='Shaw'] | <strong><em>Sugar-Salem</em></strong> - One of the four Running Backs selected for 2024 8th Grade Idaho Bowl, that are listed at 5-foot-11 or taller. A long, lean running back prospect with a ton of athletic potential with further physical development. He'll be on the Blue Team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1263956' first='Easton' last='Young'] |<strong><em> Eagle</em></strong> - Another one of the four Running Backs selected for 2024 8th Grade Idaho Bowl, that are listed at 5-foot-11 or taller. Along with the height is also a well-distributed 165-pound frame. Sticking with the important theme of being a multi-sport athlete, he also wrestles and runs track and field. He'll be on the Blue Team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1263957' first='Cruz' last='Paulin'] | <strong><em>Coeurd'Alene </em></strong>- Switching gears from the taller Running Backs, Paulin is the more common 5-foot-8, 160-pound back. He's a tough kid who wrestles and also finished 3rd this December in the 2023 Idaho Middle School State Championship. He'll be on the Blue Team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1263982' first='Nate' last='Bevacqua'] | <strong><em>Lakeland</em></strong> - The biggest Running Back in the game, Bevaqua is a load at a reported 6-foot and 207-pounds. In our database he's listed as a Defensive Lineman because he has a higher ceiling there. Expect him to get a lot of short yardage carries for the Red Team. If he does get loose on the outside, I suspect he'll make some defenders make a business decision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1264011' first='Zander' last='Gonzales'] | <strong><em>Homedale</em></strong> - On paper, Gonzalez is the smallest back in the game this year at 5-foot-8 and 140-pounds, but don't tell him that because he'll likely run you over. A tough runner for his size, and a big reason why the Homedale Middle School Trojans 8th Grade team finished the season undefeated and won the District Title this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->