Running Backs to Watch Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The running back position has an impressive number of prospects throughout the state of Arkansas. Last week, had a number of running backs rushed for over 100 yards. In this article, we are going to highlight several running backs to keep an eye on this week. Here are several running backs to watch in week one of the high school football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1195565' first='Isaiah' last='Stephens']-Running Back-Sheridan-5'10” 175-Pounds-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sheridan running back is a versatile player that can line up at running back or be used at the wide receiver position. Stephens creates big plays when running or receiving the football. He is a difficult player to bring down in the open field and makes people miss with ease. Last week, he rushed for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, he did damage in the passing game, hauling in 2 receptions for 87 yards and 1 touchdown. Sheridan takes on Hot Springs Lakeside this week and Stephens is a player to watch this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaac Baker-Running Back-Harding Academy-5'10” 195-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the past several years, Isaac Baker has been a prospect that the Harding Academy coaches will get the ball in his hands. Baker is a patient runner that allows his rushing lanes to develop before exploding through the hole. The Harding Academy running back rushed for 900 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, he helped the Wildcats passing attack slice up opposing secondaries as well. Baker hauled in 814 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. Harding Academy travels to Marion this week in what should be one of the best matchups in the state this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luke Elsik-Running Back-Farmington-5'10” 170-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Farmington running back is a patient runner who allows rushing lanes to be created before exploding through the hole. He has the vision to find the hole quickly. Elsik has the quickness and the elusiveness to break tackles and get into the open field. He found the endzone 15 times a season ago and is a prospect that produces every time he steps on the field. Farmington takes on Har-Ber this week in what should be an interesting contest. Elsik is a player to watch out for this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='227421' first='Chris' last='Ficklin']-Running Back-Bentonville-5'10”165-Pounds-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bentonville running back closed out last season in strong fashion for the Tigers. He close out the year with 400 yards on the season and 4 touchdowns. Ficklin has the ability to break tackles on a consistent basis. He forces multiple defenders to hit him and wrap him up. Week 1 has one o f the best matchups in the state this weekend when the Tigers play host to the Conway Wampus Cats. Ficklin has the opportunity to receive plenty of carries this week and is a running back to watch out for throughout the season for the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='917412' first='Prechton' last='Wilkerson']-Athlete-Hoxie-6'0” 180-Pounds-2025</strong> The Hoxie Mustangs always have talented rushers that can rack up the yardage on the ground each season. Wilkerson is the type of player that can hurt a defense from a rushing or passing perspective. Wilkerson is a running back that finds the rushing lanes quickly. Meanwhile, he does a great job of being used as a wide receiver for the Mustangs as well. He racked up almost 900 yards of total offense last season. I look for him to surpass those numbers this season. Hoxie takes on Jonesboro Westside this week in what should be another interesting matchup this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->