Explosive Ground Attacks Returning in 2026

According to MaxPreps statistics, the teams below eclipsed 3,000 rushing yards during the 2025 season. All 11 teams combine for a total of 38,736 yards, which equates to 22 miles. Unsurprisingly, their effectiveness on the ground contributed to both regular-season and postseason success, with each team making it to at least the Sweet 16. Some will argue that the total is skewed because some teams made deep playoff runs, including Sate Championships; however, each of these teams averaged over 230 yards per game, with 3 averaging over 300 yards per game. Although many of the players who contributed to these rushing attacks in 2025 will be graduating in May, there will be a plethora of talent returning and new faces who will rise to the occasion to fill in the gaps.   Stephenson High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,911 Rushing YDs / 301 Rushing YDs Per Game / 9.3 YDs Per Carry / 47 TDs   Key Returners: QB [player_tooltip player_id='1698100' first='Zabrian' last='Boler'] ('27), RB [player_tooltip player_id='1561762' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'] ('27), TE [player_tooltip player_id='950958' first='Xevien' last='Brinson'] ('28), OL [player_tooltip player_id='1204285' first='Emanuel' last='Holmes'] ('28)   Notes: Johnson rushed for over 2,000 yds and 23 TDs in 2025   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Kell High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,493 Rushing YDs / 250 Rushing YDs Per Game / 7.7 YDs Per Carry / 34 TDs   Key Returners: RB [player_tooltip player_id='419329' first='Quinterrius' last='Gipson'] ('27), RB Donte Grant ('27), OL Caleb Wise ('27), OL Avon Glover ('27)   Notes: Gipson led GHSA-AAAA with 1,900 yds and 25 TDs.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Creekside High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,908 Rushing YDs / 261 Rushing YDs Per Game / 8.2 YDs Per Carry / 67 TDs   Key Returners: RB [player_tooltip player_id='2100182' first='Gary' last='Walker'] ('27), RB Caiden Moseley ('27), OL Lawrence Martin ('27), OL Kaleb Noel ('27), OL [player_tooltip player_id='378371' first='Rylan' last='Robertson'] ('27), OL Jaylon Moore ('27)   Notes: The second leading rusher in 4A (Walker) and 4 All-Region offensive linemen will be returning to the reigning GHSA 4A Champion.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Brunswick High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,401 Rushing YDs / 309 Rushing YDs Per Game / 10.2 YDs Per Carry / 42 TDs   Key Returners: RB [player_tooltip player_id='1622142' first='Josiah' last='Gibbons'] ('27), RB [player_tooltip player_id='942201' first='Nigel' last='Gardner'] ('27), RB Brody Marshall ('28), OL Chris Wingster ('27), OL Devin Broughton ('27)   Notes: The 2027 RB duo each rushed for 1,200+ yds and averaged 11+ yds per carry.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Jackson County High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,068 Rushing YDs / 236 Rushing YDs Per Game / 7.5 YDs Per Carry / 45 TDs   Key Returners: RB [player_tooltip player_id='2081850' first='Daylan' last='Maxwell'] ('28), RB Jayson Lee ('28), TE Owen Anderson ('27), OL Andrew Alarcon ('27)   Notes: The Panthers' 2 2028 RBs accounted for 39 rushing touchdowns combined in 2025.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Newton High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,260 Rushing YDs / 272 Rushing YDs Per Game / 8.6 YDs Per Carry / 33TDs   Key Returners: RB [player_tooltip player_id='950809' first='Kevin' last='Hartsfield'] ('28), RB [player_tooltip player_id='2056805' first='Darius' last='White'] ('27), TE Cameron Kelly ('27), OL Corice Spears ('27), OL Ephraim Oti ('27)   Notes: A 2027 and 2028 1-2 punch in the backfield that combined for 2,217 yds and 25 TDs in 2025.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Screven County High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,660 Rushing YDs / 281 Rushing YDs Per Game / 7.1 YDs Per Carry / 47 TDs   Key Returners: QB DeMarko Ward ('27), RB [player_tooltip player_id='1635666' first='AB' last='Hilton'] ('27)   Notes: Defenses have to account for both the running back and quarterback in the run game, with the tandem each surpassing 1,000 rushing yards and combining for 40 TDs   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Valdosta High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,618 Rushing YDs / 258 Rushing YDs Per Game / 6.2 YDs Per Carry / 47 TDs   Key Returners: RB [player_tooltip player_id='1096365' first='Marquis' last='Fennell'] ('27), RB [player_tooltip player_id='489529' first='Deron' last='Foster'] ('27), OL Jah'Khias Neloms ('27), OL Adron Thomas ('27), OL Austin Spray ('27)   Notes: Three All-Region offensive linemen are returning in front of 2 running backs who eclipsed 1,300 rushing yards a piece.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Monroe Area High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,764 Rushing YDs / 314 Rushing YDs Per Game / 7.2 YDs Per Carry / 40 TDs   Key Returners: QB [player_tooltip player_id='1988544' first='Cooper' last='Shumate'] ('28), OL Carter Wilcox ('28)   Notes: 2028 QB Shumate led Monroe Area and all QBs in 3A in rushing with 1,200 yds.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Lowndes High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,038 Rushing YDs / 253 Rushing YDs Per Game / 6.4 YDs Per Carry / 45 TDs   Key Returners: QB [player_tooltip player_id='481378' first='Jayce' last='Johnson'] ('27), RB [player_tooltip player_id='1865024' first='Mason' last='Woods'] ('27), TE Waylon Weidinger ('28), OL [player_tooltip player_id='378385' first='Abram' last='Eisenhower'] ('27), OL Kam Brown ('27)   Notes: The QB and RB duo combined for nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Gainesville High School   2025 Rushing Stats: 3,615 Rushing YDs / 241 Rushing YDs Per Game / 7.9 YDs Per Carry / 47 TDs   Key Returners: QB [player_tooltip player_id='885409' first='Kharim' last='Hughley'] ('27), RB [player_tooltip player_id='662615' first='Nigel' last='Newkirk'] ('27), RB Dwight Lewis ('28), OL [player_tooltip player_id='1214574' first='Tyler' last='Ford'] ('27), OL [player_tooltip player_id='1648878' first='Bryson' last='Hurt'] ('27)   Notes: The #6 RB in the 2027 class (Newkirk) led the Red Elephants' rushing attack with 1,900 yards, followed by 2028 RB Lewis with 800 yards, and Clemson QB commit Humphrey.

According to MaxPreps statistics, the teams below eclipsed 3,000 rushing yards during the 2025 season. All 11 teams combine for a total of 38,736 yards, which equates to 22 miles. Unsurprisingly, their effectiveness on the ground contributed to both regular-season and postseason success, with each team making it to at least the Sweet 16. Some will argue that the total is skewed because some teams made deep playoff runs, including Sate Championships; however, each of these teams averaged over 230 yards per game, with 3 averaging over 300 yards per game. Although many of the players who contributed to these rushing attacks in 2025 will be graduating in May, there will be a plethora of talent returning and new faces who will rise to the occasion to fill in the gaps.