Running Backs Pounding the Rock Last Friday

As we fly into week 7, I wanted to give one last shout out to the balling backs from last week. It was another big week for running backs as teams worked out the early-season bugs and started getting their powerful run games going.   With the end of the regular season just a stone's throw away, the stakes get higher with every game. Coaches know that to go deep in the playoffs they need a sustainable, high-impact run game, even if they like to throw the ball.   The run game allows teams to exert more control over games and helps wear down the opposing defense with the relentless pounding the top running attacks bring.   And, it was evident this past Friday that things are getting optimized, as there were numerous head-turning performances as well as entire backfields blowing things up.   So, without further adieu, let's dive into some of the best of the best from last Friday:   Top Senior ('26): (Rushing Yards Through 6 Games)   [player_tooltip player_id='1296536' first='Landin' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landin-johnson/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landin-johnson/"></a> , 5'10, 175, RB/DB, Ellsworth '25 – continues to open up his overall lead in rushing yards as he carried 32 times for just under 200 yards in a tight win over Hillsboro 14-6 last Friday. On the season he has gained a thundering 1,236 yards on 128 carries, at 6+ yards per carry and added 14 touchdowns rushing.     Top Junior ('26): (Rushing Yards Through 6 Games)   [player_tooltip player_id='1310981' first='Reggie' last='Reece'], 6'2, 215, RB, Mill Valley, '26, moved into the top '26 spot this week as he continues to blow up rushing defenses, even when they know for sure he is coming. This past week he gouged powerhouse Gardner Edgerton for 193 yards on 25 carries and scored three TD's, including a 70-yarder in MV's big win. On the season, the 6'2, 215 pound bruiser has carried the ball 169 times for 1,203 yards for an impressive 201 yards rushing per game, averaging 7.2 and scoring 14 TD's on the ground.     Top Sophomore ('27): (Rushing Yards Through 6 Games)   [player_tooltip player_id='491873' first='Arieus' last='Finley Jr.']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/arieus-finley-jr/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/arieus-finley-jr/"></a> , 5'7, 165, RB, Derby '27 – the sophomore sensation continues to stake his claim as being one of the top young backs in the state even with limited playing time due to #1-ranked Derby dominating the competition. Last week he still picked up 146 yards on only a dozen carries and scored three times. On the year he has 701 yards on a scant 65 carries for a 10.8 average and 10 TD's rushing.     Others Backs Poundin' the Rock:   Jay'den Kirk-Mcgowan, 5'9, 215, RB, Wichita South '26 - steamrolled the competition this past week with a monster game, carrying the ball 30 times for 318 yards and three touchdowns. His performance helped propel South over Wichita Heights 55-42 to move to 4-2 on the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='866510' first='Karter' last='Gonzalez']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/karter-gonzalez/"></a> 6'0, 215, LB/RB, Hesston, '25, is a versatile two-way, powerful playmaker who led the Swathers to a big win last Friday, scorching Wichita Trinity, 55-14, with 232-yard rushing and five touchdowns to remain unbeaten. On the year he has gained just under 800 yards on 74 carries for a sizzling 10.2 average and 15 rushing touchdowns. On the other side of the ball he is a jackhammer of a hitter, delivering 65 tackles and 5 TFL through six games.   [player_tooltip player_id='571096' first='Westin' last='Rose']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/westin-rose/"></a> 5'11, 185, RB/LB, Circle, '25, returns after a shortened season a year ago when he was off and running on an outstanding year. Fast forward to 2024 and he is fine-tuning his game once again, as last week he exploded for 245 yards rushing on 25 carries and four touchdowns in leading his team to a crazy 50-48 win over Rose Hill.   [player_tooltip player_id='285495' first='Ace' last='Monihen'], 6'0, 185, RB, Council Grove '25, continues to turn heads with his standout play and this past week it was more of the same as the versatile senior only needed ten carries to pick up 200+ yards and four touchdowns. Through six games he has gained 744 yards on 81 carries for an impressive 9.2 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns. Get your popcorn out for this guy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1224115' first='Isaac' last='Winter'], 5'11, 175, RB Conway Springs '25, has been the reigning state champ's work horse all season piling up 951 yards so far on 123 carries and 16 TD's rushing. This past week he helped his unbeaten team continue to roll with 189 yards rushing on 19 carries for a 10-yard average, which included a 79-yard touchdown run..   [player_tooltip player_id='1430615' first='Brandon' last='Ferguson'], 6'2, 210, RB/DL, Sedgwick '25, the Cardinal bulldozer continued to plow through opposing defenses this past week with a three-touchdown night, carrying the ball 14 times for 112 yards. On the season he has racked up just under 400 total yards and is averaging over five yards a carry. He has given the Cardinals a strong running attack they needed to balance out their high-octane passing game, as they blew out Inman 61-29 to stay undefeated in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='780429' first='Zane' last='Farney']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zane-farney/"></a> 6'0, 185, RB, Sterling, '26. last year at the end of the season he was the only member of the 1,500 Club, and so far this fall he is in hot pursuit of that mark with just under 900 yards rushing on 132 carries and eight scores through six games. This past week he picked up 167 more yards on the ground in a loss to top-ranked Conway Springs.   [player_tooltip player_id='866511' first='Teron' last='Kraft']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/teron-kraft/"></a>  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 is hard at it to exceed that this fall, as this past week he carried 16 times for 118 yards, scored a pair of touchdowns and added six tackles and a couple tackles for loss on defense.     Backfield's Killin' It:   Andover HS (The 3-Headed Beast)   This past Friday Andover blew out Newton 40-13 with a devastating running attack that piled up 400+ yards on the ground. The win brought their record to 3-3 on the season after a sputtering start. Andover didn't complete a single pass but in the end they didn't need to as they jumped out big early and never looked back. On the night, Noah Noyes, 6'2, 210, RB, '25 picked up 155 yards and scored a TD. On the year he has been the workhorse, gaining 928 yards on 137 carries and nine touchdowns. Also contributing were Quincy Jonas, 6'0,175, ATH '25, who picked up 111 yards and scored a touchdown, and Barrett Hill, 5'9, 160, ATH, '26, who only needed three carries to pick up 75 yards and score three touchdowns.     Lakin HS (Mr Inside/Mr Outside)   The Lakin running attack has been bolstered by the exciting one-two punch of Ross Rider, 6'2, 185, RB/DB, '25, and [player_tooltip player_id='390291' first='Colter' last='Oldham']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/colter-oldham/"></a> 6'1, 220, LB/RB, '25. Rider is Mr Outside, and so far he is living up to his name, as he picked up 119 yards on 13 carries, including a 54-yard score this past week. On the season he is averaging an incredible 15 yards per carry, on his way to racking up 672 yards and nine TD's. Mr Inside, is Oldham, a powerful, athletic, multi-positional stud who has been dominating Western Kansas gridirons for years. In the past two weeks he has averaged over 100+ yards rushing and has scored four touchdowns. On the year he has pounded out 537 yards on 62 carries for an 8.7 average and nine touchdowns. He is also a ball-buster of a linebacker on defense averaging double digit tackles every game this year. These guys present a real dilemma for defensive coordinators.   In conclusion, these guys are too good not to get out and see live. Also, if you know of anyone or any teams flying under the radar please reach out to me via DM on X.

As we fly into week 7, I wanted to give one last shout out to the balling backs from last week. It was another big week for running backs as teams worked out the early-season bugs and started getting their powerful run games going.