Returning Wichita-Area RBs Among The State's Best

The halfway point in July is upon us and the remaining time prior to season start seems to be racing by.   No time for procrastinators - either get busy or risk the dreaded late-season fatigue factor.   Fatigue can apply to all positions obviously, but it is particularly true for the state's workhorse running backs, as pounding the rock in the brutal heat early in the season is a challenging task.   RBs not in the best shape possible risk fading late in the game when the team needs that extra yard to keep the sticks moving.   Tired RBs make mistakes. They lose focus and let the details slip. The burst in the first quarter becomes a slow-motion effort in the fourth.   Fatigue isn't just physical - it's mental and emotional, too.   The fatigue factor can be a running back's worst nightmare, but it doesn't have to be if the off-season is taken advantage of.   In this report, we spotlight five all-purpose backs who are getting ready to see the ball early and often this year and have no intention of pausing to catch their breath. These are high-volume guys who have been grinding through the off-season so they don't get bushwacked by fatigue this fall.   All five have been training to relentlessly pound the rock for all four quarters. These guys have been working to play at peak capability and do it while playing other positions, as well as making things happen not only by running over and around defenders, but by receiving, returns, playing defense and providing leadership along the way.   I get tired just thinking about it...   So, without further adieu, let's check out what these guys have been doing to get ready:     [player_tooltip player_id='1530365' first='Erik' last='Olivas']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/erik-olivas/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/erik-olivas/"></a> , 5'9, 185, RB/DB, Goddard, '27, up first for the seniors is a guy who delivered one of the best RB seasons in the state last fall as a junior with just under 2,300 all-purpose yards and 21 total TDs. Of that total he rushed for 1,661 yards, including a 94-yard TD run and averaged 8+ per carry. He was a playmaker catching the ball out of the backfield with 14 receptions for 446 yards and averaged a jaw-dropping 32+ yards per catch. He also added another 162 yards on kickoff returns. He finished the season strong with 500+ yards rushing, 5 TDs and caught passes for 118 yards and added another score in the final two games of the year. As a runner he is versatile and athletic, with a low-center of gravity who picks up big yardage after the first hit. He also torches the perimeter on a variety of jet sweeps, reverses, tosses and option plays. This guy is locked and loaded to help lead a powerful Lion offense with a dominating senior year.     [player_tooltip player_id='2067404' first='Jaxson' last='Green']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaxson-green/"></a> , 5'10, 180, RB, Andover Central, '27, next up is another senior who stepped up with an all-state season as a junior, rushing for 1,639 yards on 205 carries, averaging 8+ yards a pop and scored 19 TDs to lead all 4A rushers. He is a powerful runner with a quick burst who blows through arm tackles and tramples defenders in his path. With his elusiveness and lateral quickness he breaks into the open quickly and has the finishing speed to take it to the house. He has been busy this off-season with hoops and track this spring and is in good hands training with Coach Tabor and PIA, as well as hitting numerous junior day visits and camps. In June he was particularly busy showcasing his game at camps at Hutch CC and Memphis and then received his first D1 offer after a standout performance at the Drake camp (4.15 pro agility; 36" Vertical). He has been stacking the off-season training days and is ready for a senior encore this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='1613501' first='Kedrick' last='Harrison']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kedrick-harrison/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kedrick-harrison/"></a> , 5'9”, 185, RB, Wichita Southeast, ‘27, this senior multi-positional, two-way playmaker helped his team to one of the best seasons in a long time when he gained 1,523 yards on 232 carries, averaged 7+ per carry and scored 9 TDs. He added another 232 yards in receptions out of the backfield and returns for 1,755 APYs. He put his dynamic game on display late in the season with a win against Wichita West when he carried 28 times for 261 yards and scored three TDs. Before losing to eventual 6A state champion Manhattan in the playoffs the team was on a 4-game win streak and in that span of games he shredded teams for 814 yards and 6 touchdowns. He is a compact, powerful runner who can hammer the ball between the tackles but also has the quickness and acceleration to turn the corner. After a breakout year earning first-team 6A all-state honors and a strong off-season this guy is ready for a big year.     [player_tooltip player_id='1987964' first='Grady' last='Myers']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/grady-myers/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/grady-myers/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/grady-myers/"></a> , 5'10, 170, RB/DB, Mulvane, '27, he started the season playing in the shadow of his older brother Manny but when the dust settled at the end of the season he was well on his way to establishing himself as one of the top backs in the state. Attacking defenses in a variety of ways he rushed for 1,141 yards , averaged 9 yards a carry and scored 19 TDs. He also added another 300+ yards receiving and on returns to give him 1,342 APYs and 20 total TDs on the year. He also contributed 21 tackles, a tackle for loss and intercepted a pass when on defense. A three-sport athlete he went right into hoops after football ended and then this spring had an all-state season in baseball. He is playing baseball this summer as well as training for a senior year where he intends to not only continue to play both ways but also return kicks and also step in and run the show from the Wildcat as needed. Get your popcorn ready, he's going to put on a show.     [player_tooltip player_id='1590403' first='Braylen' last='Dold']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braylen-dold/"></a> , 5'11, 175, RB/DB, Garden Plain, '28, and last but certainly not least as well as being the only junior in this report is an athletic three-way playmaker who delivered a breakout season last fall in all phases of the game. As a running back he has great instincts, hitting the hole fast with great acceleration getting into the secondary. Once he breaks into daylight he is elusive and uses the entire field as needed to take it to the house. On the year he carried the ball 71 times for 644 yards, 9+ per carry, 5 TDs, and 431 yards receiving and on returns for 1,075 all-purpose yards. He also added a pair of touchdowns receiving and ran back both a punt and a kickoff for scores to give him 9 total TDs on the year. On defense he had 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and picked off four passes. This guy is just getting warmed up and is ready to be one of the most dangerous all-purpose backs in the state this fall.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys dominate this fall - you will not be disappointed. Also, DM me via X if you run across any players flying under the radar.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

The halfway point in July is upon us and the remaining time prior to season start seems to be racing by.

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Returning Wichita-Area RBs Among The State’s Best

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