Week 5: Top Running Back Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another week of baller backs burning up the turf in week 5 games across the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week we will take a quick look at who the front runners are in each class and then do a sweep of some of the most impressive games by backs across the sunflower state last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's dive into the baller backs who left nothing but <em>scorched-earth</em> behind them in week 5:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Senior ('25):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1296536' first='Landin' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landin-johnson/"></a> </strong>, 5'10, 175, RB/DB, Ellsworth '25</em> – has been leading a tight race of senior running backs who have been pounding the rock this fall. So far is 2024 he is averaging 200+ rushing yards per game and averaging an impressive 10.9 yards per carry. Through five games he has piled up 1,046 yards on 96 carries and has scored 14 TD's, one of which was a 94-yard score. The Ellsworth grinder leads all the seniors, but it is still a footrace for the most rushing yards with the dynamic junior below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Junior ('26):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780341' first='Parker' last='Schwarz']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/parker-schwarz/"></a> </strong>, 6'1, 200, ATH, Prairie View '26  </em>– vaulted into the top spot a couple of weeks ago with back-to-back huge games and incredibly is still averaging 19 yards per carry five games into the season. That is not a misprint...19-yards a carry. On the season he has gained 1,159 yards, averaging 232 yards a game and has scored 14 touchdowns. He is also a warrior on the other side of the ball, leading the team in tackles so far in 2024. Keep an eye on this baller he is off to a record-breaking start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sophomore ('27):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491873' first='Arieus' last='Finley Jr.']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/arieus-finley-jr/"></a> ,</strong> 5'7, 165, RB, Derby</em> '27 – has been a game-wrecker all season in helping Derby to an undefeated record and number-one ranking in class 6A. The exciting sophomore scat back racked up just under 200 all-purpose yards last Friday and on the season has gained 555 yards on only 53 carries, averaging a sizzling 10.5 yards every time he touches the ball. He has also scored seven touchdowns on the year and is a dangerous return man on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outstanding Week 5 Games:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1430405' first='Landon' last='Simpson']</em></strong>, <em>6'0 165, ATH,</em> <em>Ellinwood</em> '25 - put together one of the most impressive all-around games in the state last week when he rushed for an eye-popping 328 yards on only 15 carries and scored six touchdowns. He added a seventh TD on a reception and was in on seven tackles from his spot in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398429' first='Korbin' last='Johnson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/korbin-johnson/"></a> </strong>, 6'0, 195, ATH, Holcomb '25 </em> – has been burning up western Kansas gridirons this fall and last week was more of the same. The senior running back hammered his way to 250 yards rushing on 28 carries and scored three TD's. He was a busy man all evening, adding three receptions for 59 yards and seven tackles on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='585903' first='Aaron' last='Bohannon Jr.']</em></strong>, <em>5'7, 165, RB, Wichita East</em> '26, the junior game-breaker was at it again last week, picking up 247 yards on only 16 carries and piled up five touchdowns on the night. On the season he has gained just under 700 yards and is averaging a whopping 14.3 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Holden Lind</em></strong>, <em>5'9, 150, RB, Hays '26</em>, helped his team to a big win over Junction City last Friday with a big night on the ground, gaining 247 yards on 28 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1453234' first='Xavier' last='Porras']</em></strong>, <em>5'11, 190, RB/DB</em>, <em>Liberal</em> '25 - has been the team's workhorse this fall and last week it was more of the same as he picked up 208 yards on 18 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns. He provided fireworks all night, ripping off TD runs of 96 and 50 yards and helped get his team back on the winning track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='442344' first='Jayden' last='Lang']</em></strong>, <em>6'0, 180, RB, DeSoto</em> '25 - the multi-positional senior came up huge last week in helping his team win a shootout with <em>Shawnee Heights</em>. On the evening he gained 201 yards on the ground on 20 carries and scored five TD's. He scored his sixth touchdown of the night on a blazing 96-yard kickoff return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, these guys are too good not to go see air it out live. Get out and see them – you will not be disappointed. And, as always, just a reminder that if you know of any players or teams flying under the radar so far this season, feel free to contact&nbsp;<strong><em>CoolDaddyO</em></strong>&nbsp;via&nbsp;<strong>DM</strong>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<strong>X</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->