Pre-Season RB Review - Wichita/Western Kansas

After a handful of team preview articles recently, I wanted to shift gears and take a quick look at the stud running backs returning in the Wichita/Western KS Areas.   With practice off and running the countdown to the opening game is already laying heavy on the minds of high school coaches and players all over the state. And, as coaches fine-tune their offensive schemes and get the running game established, the question arises all over, do we have any game changers this year that will take the rushing attack to the next level?   The teams with returning proven backs already have an idea of what to expect, but every year we see guys rise to the occasion that not much has been heard about, who end up taking the state by storm.   In this report we will take a look at the top returning running backs in the Wichita and Surrounding Area/Western Kansas. We divided the RBs in four groups: The 1,500 Club; the 1,200 Club; the 800 Club; and the Watchlist Warriors to keep an eye on. These guys are big-time playmakers - the top 10 below collectively piled up 152 touchdowns last year.   So, without further adieu, I bring you the best of the best, baller running backs in the Wichita/Western Kansas Areas:   The 1,500 Club:   [player_tooltip player_id='780429' first='Zane' last='Farney'] 6'0, 185, RB, Sterling, '26. The only member of the 1,500 Club, he is preparing for an encore performance this fall after running for 1,506 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per carry and scoring 16 touchdowns a year ago. He is already a two-time all-state RB and last season was a finalist for the Offensive Player of the Year award.   The 1,200 Club:   Maddox Archibald, 5'9, 170, RB, Andover Central, '25. Although a second team AVCTL Division II performer a year ago, he has somehow flown under the radar despite piling up 1,273 yards and 18 TD's. He returns to lead the running attack on a high-powered Andover Central offense. He is also a standout baseball player.   [player_tooltip player_id='585903' first='Aaron' last='Bohannon Jr.'] 5'7, 175, RB, Wichita East, '26. He is coming off a breakthrough sophomore season when he piled up 1,248 yards rushing on 111 carries for a jaw-dropping 11.2 yards per carry. He also caught 16 passes for 237 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns. This year he will take his highlight-reel game to Wichita East, after playing last year at Wichita NW.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228455' first='Kole' last='Klaassen'] 6'1, 195, RB/LB, Remington, '25. He is coming off a standout junior year when he rushed for 1,240 yards and caught passes for another 256 yards to give him just under 1,500 total yards. He also added 14 touchdowns. He was one of the few running backs in the state last year with over 1,000 yards rushing and over 250 yards receiving.   [player_tooltip player_id='866511' first='Teron' last='Kraft']  5'9”, 180, RB/LB, Hoisington, ‘25. A year ago he blazed his way to first-team all-state, gaining 1,228 yards on 161 carries and scored 14 touchdowns. He returns to lead a powerful running attack for for state runner-up Hoisington as a pounding FB ready for a big year.   The 800 Club:   [player_tooltip player_id='1348451' first='Julian' last='Johnson'] 5'9, 170, RB, Collegiate, '26. Another top-notch back flying under the radar, a year ago he earned first team all-conference while gaining 892 yards on 157 carries for an impressive 17 rushing TDs on a Collegiate team that went 9-2. Expect a breakout season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='390291' first='Colter' last='Oldham'] 6'1, 220, LB/RB, Lakin HS, '25. He has had one busy junior year, starting off last fall with 147 rushes for 888 yards and 15 scores. He moved on to star on the basketball court and then amped it up by winning state in both the shot put and the discus. Come fall, get your popcorn out for this guy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113405' first='Keedrin' last='Jones'] 5'10, 185, RB/FS, Rose Hill, '26, He is coming off a standout sophomore season when he piled up over a thousand all-purpose yards on 843 yards rushing. He returns this year after an excellent off-season getting ready to take his game to the next level. Look for this kid to burn it up this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='571096' first='Westin' last='Rose'] 5'11, 185, RB/LB, Circle, '25. He is unfortunately coming off a shortened season when he was off and running on an outstanding year. He was still able to rush for 807 yards, averaged 7.5 yards per carry and caught passes for 161 yards. If he can stay healthy he will go off this fall.    Watchlist Warriors:   [player_tooltip player_id='352469' first='Mario' last='Ruiz'] 5'9, 185, RB, Garden City, '25. He is coming off a solid season as a second team all-WAC performer, picking up 686 yards on 150 carries and scored 10 touchdowns for the run-heavy Garden City offense. A powerful runner with good instincts, look for him to shine out west this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115788' first='Deanthony' last='Jones'] 6'0, 200, RB, Wichita East, '26. Last season was a breakthrough year when he rushed for 592 yards, which included an 86-yard touchdown run, and scored six touchdowns for Wichita North. This fall he joins a loaded Wichita East team and is ready to pile up the yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='866510' first='Karter' last='Gonzalez'] 6'0, 215, LB/RB, Hesston, '25. A two-way, multi-positional standout, he is coming off an impressive season a year ago when he ran for 562 yards, averaging six yards a carry, had 200+ receiving yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He is a powerful, physical playmaker ready for a big year.   [player_tooltip player_id='491873' first='Arieus' last='Finley Jr.'] 5'7, 160, RB, Derby, '27 He is coming off a stellar freshman season when he carried 57 times for 450 yards, averaging almost 10 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns. Lining up as a tailback or returning punts and kicks, he is a dangerous playmaker coming into his own early.   [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'] - 5'7, 185, RB/LB, Eisenhower, '26, He has steadily moved up in the rankings despite playing five different positions and performing wherever the team needed him most. This year he will line up as the primary ball carrier for a strong Eisenhower team. Last year the team was led by an 1,800+ yard rusher, don't be surprised if this kid does something similar this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1317948' first='Lucas' last='Meyer'] 5'9, 180, RB, Wichita Heights. '25. He is entering his senior year poised and ready to take his already top-end game to the next level. Lining up as a tailback or on the wing in the Heights offensive scheme, he is fed a steady stream of jet sweeps, reverses and trap backs to get him the ball in a variety of ways. Get ready to see this kid make some noise this fall.   In conclusion, get these guys on your watchlist. They are definitely getting ready to make this a memorable football season. And, as always, if anyone knows of players flying under the radar feel free to reach out to CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

After a handful of team preview articles recently, I wanted to shift gears and take a quick look at the stud running backs returning in the Wichita/Western KS Areas.