SWMO “Who’s Next UP?” Running backs of class 2027.

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 25-26 high school football season featured some great running backs in the state of Missouri. Heading into the 26-27 football season the next class of great runners are looking to make a name for themselves just like the players before them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five fantastic running backs have been given the reigns this year, and look to lead their respected teams to the big dance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2326276,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2003315,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b6e8cb63e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mccadney dropped 573 rushing yards, and 7 rushing yards on only 86 carries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year [player_tooltip player_id='2326276' first='Trenton' last='Mccadney'] was the spark plug for the Joplin offense. He played a multitude of different roles on offense to try to get the ball in his hands. I anticipate this upcoming year [player_tooltip player_id='2326276' first='Trenton' last='Mccadney'] gets the keys to the castle taking over for his older brother Traevian Mccadney in the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mccadney's biggest strength is just being able to make a play. At any time Mccadney can take it to the house, he has a real feel, and A plus vision as a ball carrier. Heading into this next season Trenton is definitely one of the best backs in the southwest region of Missouri. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19820229/6a029822f83af2dd3e66f435u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7c90191a649"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2326285,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2326349,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b6e8cb65b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams carved out a nice role last year racking up 699 rushing yards, and 11 rushing TD's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year Adams was a nice compliment to one of the top runningbacks in the state of Missouri in Jayden McCaster. This upcoming season I believe he's next up in taking over the Nixa Eagles backfield. Adams is the do it all type of football player not just a runningback he's just a good football player. Last year for the state runner up Eagles he ran the football well, while also giving you good reps on the defensive side of the football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although I think this year he will be focused on the offensive side of the ball. Adams is a lightning quick ball carrier that brings plenty of juice, while also being surprisingly strong on contact from his listed size. Keep an eye on Adams this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19450615/6980a91f562543c645b2c416u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7c90191a69a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2326350"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2326827,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b6e8cb66bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Majors was the Glendale lead back last year putting up 584 rushing yards, and 6 rushing TD's on only 83 carries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Glendale Falcons for awhile has gained a reputation for having a high flying passing attack and kind of shying away from a running game. Majors has carved out a nice role in making the Falcons offense more balanced. He ran very well between the tackles, always churning his legs forward and falling forward for a few extra yards. Glendale features one of the best receiver tandems in Missouri in [player_tooltip player_id='1883278' first='Joelle' last='Rover'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1590216' first='Trevor' last='Heman'], I think [player_tooltip player_id='2326350' first='Cameron' last='Majors'] is going to take advantage of all the attention on them and slice up defenses in the southwest region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Majors is also a very good kick returner, he can hurt you in a variety of ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20374358/6a0d03a4511b24a985227ee8u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7c9700e0dd2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2326355,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2326352,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b6e8cb67a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Westerhold put up a whopping 1206 rushing yards, and 17 rushing TD's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westerhold is being featured in the "Who's next up" article but with his numbers last year he might have already arrived. [player_tooltip player_id='2326355' first='Cole' last='Westerhold'] really did a number on opposing defenses last year and this upcoming year I don't think it shows any signs of slowing down. He is a punishing downhill, North and South type of runner that usually requires more than one guy to bring Westerhold to the ground. Cole can also make you pay in the receiving game if you don't take account of him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odessa has become favorites to head to the class 3A championship after dropping down from class 4A. The Bulldogs are going to lean on [player_tooltip player_id='2326355' first='Cole' last='Westerhold'] once again in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19782913/69139ee51e7a4800429d18b7u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b6e8cb67f8"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2326356,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b6e8cb68ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Golden had an impressive 25-26 football season logging 1049 rushing yards, and 15 rushing TD's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2326356' first='Eli' last='Golden'] and Wood Curtiss fills out a very formidable Runningback tandem for the Mountain Grove Panthers. I do believe that [player_tooltip player_id='2326356' first='Eli' last='Golden'] is the home run hitter of the two. Golden stands 6'3, 185 pounds and can cover a lot of ground with a long striding type of running style. He has some game breaking speed to his game, where if you give him a little bit of a window to get up field he will hurt you in a hurry. [player_tooltip player_id='2326356' first='Eli' last='Golden'] earned first team honors, but still feels like he's being overlooked amongst other ball carriers in the area. I think this year he changes that narrative this will be a big year for Golden. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19507624/69dd1a2b343dc74f25173605u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b6e8cb692e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->