Top RB Watchlist: Pounding the Rock in the Northeast

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week we kicked off the pre-season with the first article in a series on the <em>best running backs in the state</em>. The first report focused on stud backs from the extended Wichita area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article will shift gears to the Kansas City area for report two and cover some of the standout running backs in that neck of the woods.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a reminder, the top backs in the article from the extended Wichita region were: <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595719' first='Jamaal' last='Jackson III'], </strong></strong><em>Labette County</em>,<strong><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'], </strong></strong><em>Eisenhower</em>, <strong><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1229095' first='Grady' last='Gebhardt'], </strong></strong><em>Southeast Saline</em>, <strong><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1515945' first='Cooper' last='Reves'], </strong></strong><em>Salina Central</em>, and<strong><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1622490' first='Conner' last='Holladay']</strong></strong>, <em>Great Bend</em>.<strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we are shifting gears to the KC/Northeast sector of the state, and taking a look at who the best and the brightest RB's are as we roll into the 2025 season. And let me tell you, if you thought the first article included a lot of baller backs wait until you dip into the NE running back list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting with the returning <em>Max Prep Player of the Year</em>, it also includes the returning state leader in rushing yards and carries, and then three playmakers who are coming off outstanding seasons a year ago and are ready to blow the doors off this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys have been doing to get ready for the 2025 season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267076' first='Calin' last='Arndt']</strong></strong>, 5'10, 195, RB,&nbsp;<em>Aquinas</em>, '26. He is coming off one of the top seasons in the state a year ago when he helped lead his team to a state championship which produced a boatload of post-season honors, including&nbsp;<em>Max Prep Player of the Year</em>. Along the way he played like arguably the best back in the state, with 2,000+ rushing yards and 28 TD's. Knowing he had set the bar incredibly high, he has been dedicated to the off-season grind, working on speed and explosiveness at&nbsp;<em>TopSpeedStrength &amp; Conditioning</em>&nbsp;as well as working with his Aquinas teammates in their training program. He also stayed busy running track and was active during camp-combine season this summer fine-tuning his game and continuing to draw interest. This guy is a supernova of an RB who is on a collision coarse with greatness this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek']</strong></strong>, 5'11, 215, ATH,&nbsp;<em>Nemaha Central</em>, '26. Speaking of greatness, we have another apex predator of a back who is about as star-studded as a player can get. There isn't enough space here to note all of his honors but a few will give you an idea of his domination: leading the state in rushing yards with 2,384 on a eye-popping 374 carries; he has also scored 115 TD's in the last three years and has already been named both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. With a sky-high encore season expected he has been grinding hard in the off-season and is even bigger and faster this year than last. And, although he lines up as a QB, he is more of a running back in their offensive scheme, but is talented enough to effectively throw the ball as needed. He and his mates came within minutes of winning another state championship and are even hungrier this year. Get your popcorn ready, this guy is going to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113404' first='Kade' last='Mitchell']</strong></strong>, 5'10, 175, RB/DB,&nbsp;<em>Hayden</em>, '26. Did I hear someone say something about <em>"putting on a show"</em>? This guy is the one and is coming off a stellar season a year ago when he piled up just under 1,700 total yards and helped lead his team to a state-runnerup performance. He is a two-way baller who showed his versatility as a defensive player of the year finalist and then on the other side of the ball demonstrated he can beat you in any number of ways as an explosive running back, a dangerous receiver or as a lightning-in-a-bottle return man. He has stayed busy in the off-season as a standout baseball player and trained twice daily five times a week with his teammates as well as with a trainer. He was a top performer at the camps attended this summer as he worked on getting even faster with greater acceleration than a year ago. This guy is one of the best all-around backs in the state and is hard-wired to deliver a monster season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586960' first='LJ' last='Bowens']</strong></strong>, 5'10, 185, RB/ATH,&nbsp;<em>Blue Valley NW</em>, '26. Speaking of top backs in the state, this guy is in the hunt and has really caught fire in the off-season generating significant interest from scouts and coaches. Last fall he set the table for a huge senior year when he got warmed up with 1,177 yards rushing, averaging seven yards per carry and scoring 11 touchdowns on his way to all-state honors. Numbers he will zoom by in '25. In the off-season he stayed busy running the sprints in track as well as grinding with his teammates. His work is already reaping dividends as he is bigger and more explosive than last year and has gotten even faster. He is bound and determined to show the state that he is a violent force with the ball in hand and can be counted on to pick up big yards when his team needs it the most. This guy has all the tools and is laser focused on delivering a huge season and continue to pile up the college offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598868' first='Leighton' last='Boldridge']</strong></strong>, 6'1, 195, RB/DB, <em>Atchison</em>, '26. Last but certainly not least we have a super-talented baller who rarely leaves the field. He is as an athletic, multi-tooled playmaker who picked up just under 700 yards rushing, averaging 10+ yards per carry, and also had 24 tackles and five picks on defense. With sub-4.5 speed and blazing acceleration he is a threat to take it to the house on every return. He is wrapping up rehab after tearing the meniscus in his left knee this summer but expects to be good to go. As a RB he doesn't waste time trying to shake and bake defenders but makes decisive cuts and tramples defenders who get in the way going north and south. He has an excellent speed-to-strength ratio and blows through arm tackles to pick up big yardage after the initial hit. He is also elusive and fluid in the open field and can make people miss as a runner, receiver or return man. This guy is getting ready to sizzle as one of the top all-around backs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action – you will not be disappointed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as usual…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Keep grindin'</em></strong>…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->