Playoff RB’s Break Loose in the Opening Round

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The post-season kicked off last week and many of the state's top running backs rose to the occasion with outstanding games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pounding the rock in the playoffs becomes more important the deeper teams go into the bracket. And, as expected some of the guys who have been delivering all year stepped up big in the opening round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we will take a snap shot of the performances from last week and get these guys on our watchlist for the remainder of the 2024 post-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a look at some of the big games running back's produced this past week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='595719' first='Jamaal' last='Jackson III'], 5'10, 185, RB, Labette County '26</em></strong>, catapulted into the top three overall in rushing yards for the season on the strength of his herculean effort last week when he carried the ball 39 times for an eye-popping 416 yards and seven TD's. He is a slashing runner with great burst, which he has used to full advantage carrying the ball a total 239 times for 1,638 yards, averaging seven yards a carry and 19 total touchdowns to date.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1552973' first='Kade' last='Smith'], 5'10, 190, RB, Hutchinson '25</em></strong>, has had some big games this year and in particular whenever he plays Salina South, who the Salt Hawks beat last week. In that game he scored four touchdowns on 12 carries for 189 yards for a 16-yard average. Earlier in the year when these two teams met, he carried the ball 21 times for 319 yards and scored three times. All told this year in the two games against South he has gained 500+ yards on only 33 carries and has scored seven touchdowns. For the season he has piled up 1,564 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1513280' first='Frankie' last='Tryban'], 6'0, 205, ATH, Blue Valley North '25</em></strong>, is a versatile playmaker whether shredding tackles in the running game or catching the ball out of the backfield. Last week in a big win over DeSoto, he carried the ball 25 times for 176 yards and scored a pair of TD's. On the year he has picked up 1,258 yards on 198 carries and scored nine TD's. He also caught 19 passes for another 269 yards and two touchdowns, to give him just under 1,600 yards total and 11 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='285495' first='Ace' last='Monihen'], 6'0, 215, ATH, Council Grove '25</em></strong>, is another multi-positional athlete who can play anywhere on the field and make things happen doing it. Last week he picked up just under 200 yards on 12 carries, averaging 16+ yards per carry, including an 85-yard touchdown run. On the year he has gained 1,032 yards rushing and scored 18 TD's, as well as caught nine passes for another three scores. He also racked up 24 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six sacks and averaged 34 yards a punt. Get your popcorn out for this guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'], 5'8, 185, RB, Eisenhower '26</em></strong>, is a pounding all-purpose back who has been the Eisenhower anchor in the ground game all year, picking up 100+ yards in seven of the last eight games. His rock-solid play has been instrumental in setting up the Tiger's dangerous passing attack. Last week he gained 155 yards on 14 carries, averaging 11+ yards per carry. On the season he has picked up 1,010 yards rushing, averaging six-plus yards per attempt and scored four times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1552981' first='Titus' last='Eisenbarth'], 5'9, 175, RB, Jackson Heights '25</em></strong>, is still another talented athlete who can beat you in multiple ways. Last week he picked up 140 yards rushing on only six carries and scored three times, including a 72-yard TD. He also caught four passes for another 116 yards and two TD's, averaging 25+ yards every time he touched the ball. On the year he has rushed for 811 yards and gained 403 yards receiving to go along with 22 total touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1618530' first='Kas' last='Kramer'], 5'8, 155, ATH, Ell Saline '26</em></strong>, and last but certainly not least, we have the guy who went scorched earth last week, accounting for a staggering eight touchdowns. The elusive game changer can play any of the skill positions and gave fans a glimpse last week when he ran the ball for five TD's, scored another one on a pass and added not one, but two, scoop-and-score fumble recoveries. He also added an interception for good measure. Quite a stat line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and see these ballers in action. You will not be disappointed. And, as always, if you run across any player or team flying under the radar so far in 2024 give me a shout via DM on X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->