Most Electric Backfields in WI

<p>It seems crazy to say, but we just went under one month until the 2024 HS football season kicks off across the great state of Wisconsin! To celebrate, it is time to start previewing the season over these next few weeks. That includes building our Player of the Year Watchlist, identifying some of the best position groups across the state, predicting stat leaders for the season, and predicting who will earn offers during the season. We are going to kick things off with a look at the best backfield groups in the state. These teams are going to field multiple athletes that can wear down a defense on their own, and as a group will be a nightmare to try and contain. Let's dive on in!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rice Lake</h2>   <p>One of the most experienced and accomplished backfields that will take the field this fall is the trio that Rice Lake will bring back in 2024. Following their 2023 State Championship, Rice Lake will return their top three leading rushers from a season ago. Leading the way is incoming senior RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='308945' first='Lucas' last='Peters'] who finished with a team high 1,034 yards and 13 TDs. Pairing up with his is RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1125332' first='Connor' last='Durand']. The UW- Eau Claire commit finished with 916 rushing yards and 6 TDs while also being a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield too. Making this group even more dangerous, we have to add in the return of dual threat QB Jacob Kunz who was able to run his way to 707 yards and 12 TDs.</p>   <p>This trio fits together perfectly. <strong>Jacob Kunz</strong> forces a defense to guard the entire field because of his arm and legs threat. He is a smart decision maker who knows when to give it up the middle, pull it and run, or toss it on the option. The poised leader should be more dangerous than ever with all the experience and help he has. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125332' first='Connor' last='Durand']</strong> is the electric playmaker that can change a game with a single touch. He has speed to get behind the defense or stretch it laterally before sticking his foot in the ground and attacking alleys. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='308945' first='Lucas' last='Peters'] </strong>will be the heavy lifter of the group. I expect to see him lead the team in all the statistical categories again. He has the frame and the physicality to handle the wear and tear. The contact balance is there to create yards after contact, and he has the speed needed to break off the big play when he hits the open field. Get ready for this trio to take over Friday nights.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northwestern</h2>   <p>Another northern WI team that will bring back a dominant trio from 2023 is Northwestern. The three leading rushers from a dominant group in 2023 will be back and ready to take over games once again in 2024. Leading the way is [player_tooltip player_id='1030584' first='Cooper' last='Lawton'] with his 1,184 rushing yards and 16 TDs. Then comes FB [player_tooltip player_id='1297745' first='Bryce' last='Ronchi'] who ran his way to 868 yards and an outstanding 19 TDs on the ground. Finally, [player_tooltip player_id='1380152' first='Boden' last='Teal'] added his fair share of exciting plays as he ran for 664 yards, and 5 TDs while also putting up over 700 receiving yards and another 11 TDs.</p>   <p>Cooper lines up as one of the wings in Northwestern's offense, fitting his skillset well. We see <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1030584' first='Cooper' last='Lawton'] </strong>use speed to stretch the field, vision to find lanes and blocks, then can get up the field in a hurry with an explosive burst. He has a nice balance of speed and power to not only create the exciting, big play but also gain the tough yards. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297745' first='Bryce' last='Ronchi'] </strong>plays FB for Northwestern. He is the one tasked with attacking the teeth of the defense. He is the one who has to get north-south without hesitation, forcing the defense to collapse on the middle which then opens up the outside running game. Ronchi fits it perfectly. The power is there to break tackles and he has the quickness to get past level two defenders in a hurry if they don't meet him in the hole. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1380152' first='Boden' last='Teal'] </strong>plays all over the field. You will see him at WR or as one of the wings in the backfield. His speed is a legitimate threat to defenses. He can easily get behind the defense or get outside of the contain defender. This trio plays off each other so well, and should be a nightmare to slow down this fall.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arrowhead</h2>   <p>Arrowhead brings back both proven talent, and potential breakout talent to their backfield. As for the proven talent, [player_tooltip player_id='948090' first='Jacob' last='Siner'] returns as the leading rusher from 2023 with his 1,002 yards and 6 TDs. Backing him up is Hayden Russ who finished 2023 with 208 yards and 3 TDs of his own. Joining those two are a pair of athletes that could find the field at times and are well worth knowing for this year and beyond.</p>   <p>The premier talent of the group is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='948090' first='Jacob' last='Siner']</strong>. Siner is an electric runner. His vision and instincts get him into the open field at a super successful rate. Once he gets out into space good luck containing him. The speedster can beat pursuit angles, he has the agility and quickness to leave DBs tackling air after making them miss. Jacob is a walking big play waiting to happen that should really breakout this fall. <strong>Hayden Russ</strong> is an athlete we will be watching closer this fall to get a better idea of his game. The 5'10" 180 lbs athlete should be the athlete next up when they want to rotate Siner out or when they want a bigger back in the game. Two athletes to keep an eye on because of their talent is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773292' first='Pres' last='Bencz']</strong> from the Class of 2026 and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1107225' first='Jack' last='Boerst']</strong> in the Class of 2027. Pres is a track star with speed that has proven it will transfer to the football field. He is an explosive runner with good overall athletic traits. Boerst is one of the top 2027 RBs we have seen, so far. The incoming sophomore has a well rounded game. He can run between the tackles or get out on the edge and win with speed. I'm excited to see his development over this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Racine Horlick</h2>   <p>Racine Horlick brings back a tandem that is going to wear down defenses on a weekly basis. Leading the way is standout incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='262061' first='Carson' last='Fletcher']. He finished 2023 with a dominant 1,206 rushing yards and 12 TDs. Carson also finished with over 300 receiving yards. Behind him is teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1228041' first='Jaydan' last='Ponder'] who put up 522 yards and 2 TDs.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262061' first='Carson' last='Fletcher']</strong> is the workhorse back that Horlick will lean on. He is a powerful, sturdy back who dominates when he can play with physicality. He runs behind his pads, churns his legs through contact, and is very hard to knock off balance. Carson has a well rounded game though. It isn't just power. Once in the open field we see him run away from defenders as he creates big play after big play on his highlights. He can handle a big number of carries on a weekly basis. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228041' first='Jaydan' last='Ponder']</strong> is the backfield mate with Fletcher. Jaydan is a bit more of a slasher that they use to attack the edges of the defense. Jaydan is a patient runner who lets blocks develop and will finish his runs angry. Ponder has a great play style to pair with Fletcher. Teams better strap up their chin strap a little tighter when facing this duo.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Aquinas</h2>   <p>Aquinas has an impressive tandem that will be back in action this fall following their 2023 State Championship victory. The focal of the offense is the team's RB1 [player_tooltip player_id='726392' first='Kyle' last='White']. He ran his way to 1,313 yards and 14 TDs last fall. Playing RB3 in 2023, [player_tooltip player_id='1804310' first='Marcus' last='Klar'] looks like he will be the RB2 this fall. In 2023 he worked his way to 220 yards and 2 TDs only 45 carries. However, the backup RB from last year has graduated and leaves over 900 rushing yards voided. Look for Marcus to pick up a good chunk of that in 2024.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='726392' first='Kyle' last='White']</strong> is the athlete to focus on here. He is leaned on heavily, putting up 215 carries in 12 games. That plays right into his hand though. White is a physical runner with a low center of gravity. The incoming senior demonstrates excellent vision with the ball in his hands. You see him pick through the defense, using blocks perfectly and finding cut back lanes. Kyle's lateral quickness shines as he runs between the tackles too. He is going to have a big senior season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1804310' first='Marcus' last='Klar']</strong> is another athlete in this article who is new to our radar here. His few clips that are posted look similar to that of White. A between the tackles runner who wins with quickness and vision. He could have a nice breakout season while complementing White's lead role.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Waterford</h2>   <p>This is an exciting duo that could really surprise people this fall. Both don't bring a ton of experience, but they have shown that they are talented prospects who could breakout this fall. Helping them do that is a very talented offensive line clearing running lanes. This could be one of the top rushing attacks in 2024. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1284286' first='Jax' last='Pesch'] is the most experienced of the duo with his 15 carries for 66 yards and a TD in 2023. Dreger didn't put up any reported varsity yards in 2023. This is definitely a duo relying on projection at this point, but the talent is there. That makes it easier to feel confident in a bigger projection like today's article.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284286' first='Jax' last='Pesch']</strong> is an impressive 2027 to watch. The 6'2" 205 lbs athlete was used sparingly, but in a variety of ways. As a runner, receiver, and returner while being only a freshman tells you the talent is there. A well balanced blend of power, athleticism, and instincts are beginning to form. I'm expecting to see him put on a show this fall and have his breakout moment in his sophomore season. Garrett looks like the perfect partner with Jax. He shows that same versatility as a runner/receiver. He has a bigger frame at 6' 205 lbs. These two could wear down a defense by throwing the same type of running style at them.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">La Crosse Central</h2>   <p>Our final impressive backfield group is coming from La Crosse Central. This is actually a three headed monster made up of two RBs and the starting QB. [player_tooltip player_id='685905' first='Gavin' last='Shepard'] returns following a season where he put up 938 rushing yards and 7 TDs. His partner in the backfield is [player_tooltip player_id='1222036' first='Christian' last='Rudrud'] who finished 2023 with 414 rushing yards and 5 TDs. Making the group even more dangerous is dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='1209481' first='Jude' last='Alvarado'] who ran for 487 yards and 6 TDs to go along with his 1,400+ passing yards and 19 passing TDs.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='685905' first='Gavin' last='Shepard'] </strong>enters his senior season with plenty of varsity experience under his belt. He is a one cut runner that has a knack for fighting through the tiniest running lanes and then breaking off big plays when he comes out the other side. Gavin is a runner who is always gaining yards when he has the ball in his hands. There is no wasted movements or time in the backfield. He attacks and runs hard, creating consistent yards after contact. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222036' first='Christian' last='Rudrud'] </strong>brings some speed to the field. We see him line up with Shepard in the backfield, forcing defenses to not know where the ball will go. Christian is developing some explosive acceleration that sends him through the front seven quickly and gets him into open grass where he can try to beat pursuit angles. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209481' first='Jude' last='Alvarado']</strong> is another backfield weapon that is going to stress out defenses this fall. He can hurt them with his arm or legs. His feet are very quick, giving him the ability to be elusive and sudden between the tackles. The incoming senior excels on designed runs and when the play breaks down and he needs to make something happen. I'm excited to see how this trio works together to lead the Central offense.</p>

It seems crazy to say, but we just went under one month until the 2024 HS football season kicks off across the great state of Wisconsin! To celebrate, it is time to start previewing the season over these next few weeks. That includes building our Player of the Year Watchlist, identifying some of the best position groups across the state, predicting stat leaders for the season, and predicting who will earn offers during the season. We are going to kick things off with a look at the best backfield groups in the state. These teams are going to field multiple athletes that can wear down a defense on their own, and as a group will be a nightmare to try and contain. Let's dive on in!