Standout Rushing Performances: Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As great as recent QB play has been over the last couple of years, the driving force of most Minnesota prep offenses is still the running back. Minnesota has produced a number of elite RBs over the years, and multiple are still balling out across every college level. I've found 10 dogs from the whole state who had a fantastic week 2 carrying the rock. Enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633432' first='Zack' last='Shatek'], 6' 185 lbs, Hastings 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>26 Carries, 376 Rushing Yards, 5 TDs</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I know my colleague Ellis Williams has been incredibly high on Shatek's potential, and after two weeks of stellar play, he's been incredibly vindicated. Shatek averaged an incredible 14.5 ypc last Friday, and through two games has almost surpassed 600 rushing yards. He also crossed the 8 TD mark last week, and is on pace to hit over 2,000 yards just in the regular season. Shatek has been playing like the best back in the state, and I can't wait to see his recruiting take off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602765' first='Malik' last='Abdi'], 5'11" 180 lbs, Stewartville 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>38 Carries, 246 Rushing Yards, 2 TDs</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewartville produces consistent high-level talent, and Abdi is no exception to that rule. He's a true bellcow, highlighted by the fact that he took nearly 40 carries last week, and sits at 62 in just two games. With back-to-back big weeks, he sits at just over 400 yards on the season, one of the highest totals in the state. With Abdi getting such a large workload, I have no doubt he finishes his senior season listed among the best backs in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Thein, 5'10" 170 lbs, Pine Island 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>17 Carries, 216 Yards, 3 TDs</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thein was a dog last season, earning All-District honors as an RB and winning a state title in baseball, so this continued ableit improved success doesn't shock me. He averaged a fantastic 12.7 YPC last week and averaged 14.6 on the season. He currently has 7 total touchdowns, and his chunk yardage on under 20 carries a game is very impressive. Pine Island is 2-0 through two weeks and hasn't been scored on yet, while putting up 85 total points. Pine Island looks legit this year, and Thein is a big part of that success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conner Lund, 5'11" 195 lbs, Warroad 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>25 Carries, 160 Yards, 2 TOT</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lund did a bit of everything in Warroad's narrow 17-16 win over Hawley last Friday, including running the rock 25 times for a stellar 6.4 ypc. He found the endzone once on offense, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't mention the 44-yard pick-6 he had in the first quarter. Back-to-back strong showings for the 2028 prospect have his total rushing yards on the season at 367 with 4 TDs. Lund is an out-state athlete to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois'], 6'1" 190 lbs, Minnetonka 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>22 Carries, 156 Yards, 4 TDs</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnetonka is 2-0, and a large part of that is because of Iowa State commit [player_tooltip player_id='591990' first='Caleb' last='Francois']. Francois is a true athlete, a positionless player who can burn the defense anywhere as long as the ball finds its way to him. His touches on the ground were only part of his success, as he also caught 5 balls through the air for an additional 80 yards. Minnetonka is going to be a problem this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1655336' first='Tyshone' last='Jenkins'], 6'1" 200 lbs, Minneapolis North 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>11 Carries, 202 Yards, 3 TDs</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't know if there's a more productive RB in terms of YPC last week. Minneapolis North has been on one this season, and Jenkins is no exception. He averaged 18.4 yards per carry, which is likely a state high if you require at least five carries. He's up to 333 yards and 6 TDs on the season now, and it doesn't look like he's slowing down any time soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'], 5'8" 180 lbs, Maple Grove 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>29 Carries, 201 Yards, 1 TD</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Engle had another massive night last Friday, breaking the 200-yard mark for the umpteenth time in his career. Engle is a true bellcow, capable of carrying the rock 25+ times a game for the entirety of the season, an impressive feat when you realize the level of competition he's playing against. This time, his rushing efforts paved the way for a 2-0 Maple Grove squad to top a dangerous Eden Prairie team 28-14. Maple Grove looks like the favorite to win it all, and Engle is going to play a large role in that success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923840' first='Chase' last='Bjorgaard'], 6' 215 lbs, Edina 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>20 Carries, 143 TDs, 3 TDs</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bjorgaard broke out as a top RB in the state last year, and I'm pumped to see him continuing the success for another year. He had his second straight 100-yard game on Friday and brought his touchdown total up to 6 on the year. He's currently averaging 8.3 YPC on one of the most intriguing and exciting offenses the state has. Big things are coming for Bjorgaard during his senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joseph Rohlik, 5'8" 170 lbs, Wabasso 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>22 Carries, 203 Yards, 2 TDs</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wabasso is 2-0 to start the season and has absolutely rolled through both opponents with a scoring differential of 82-0. Rohlik has been a key part of that success. In a 22-0 win over Cedar Mountain on Friday, Rohlik averaged an insane 9.2 YPC in his first game as the true bellcow for the Wabasso offense. He also brought down 6 tackles and an INT. I'm eager to see more of Rohlik's production throughout the season, because he's an interesting out-state prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551392' first='Mason' last='Spence'], 5'10" 150 lbs, Zimmerman 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>15 Carries, 124 Yards, 1 TD</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spence family has a history of talented athletes carrying the rock for Zimmerman, and [player_tooltip player_id='551392' first='Mason' last='Spence'] is the next to own that mantle. In his second straight game of 100+ yards, Spence averaged a fantastic 8.3 YPC, which brings his season totals to 346 yards, 12.8 YPC, and 2 TDs. Zimmerman is rolling at 2-0, and Spence is no small part of that success. The Thunder could make a deep playoff run this year, and are a team to watch early on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->