Backs Launch ’26 With Strong Season Openers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The&nbsp;opening week of the 2026 season did not disappoint when it came to offensive production as running backs and dual-threat QBs produced some impressive games right out of the chute.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Typically, an offense is quicker to gel in the running game before getting the passing game fine-tuned and this season was no different as there were some lofty rushing stat lines throughout the state in game one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we are taking a quick look at who some of the state's top RBs were in the season opener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's check out how these guys did last week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1620511' first='Keelyn' last='Duncan']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/keelyn-duncan/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'11, 205, ATH/RB,&nbsp;<em>Eudora</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'28</strong>, <strong><em>[PICTURED]</em></strong> first up is a junior who helped lead his team to a huge season-opening victory over last year's 3A State Runnerup, <em>Hayden</em>, 22-19. Along the way this ball-buster running back hammered his way to 109 well-earned yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown. The <em>Cardinals</em> are off to a great start after finishing 9-2 last year when <em>Duncan </em>carried the ball 86 times for 864 yards and averaged 10+ yards per carry. He also caught 6 passes for 155 yards, averaging 26+ per catch and finished with over 1,000 APYs. After a strong off-season training for speed, power and explosiveness, he is ready to blow last year's stats out of the water.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2101917' first='Gavin' last='Mitchell']</strong>, 5'10, 215, RB/DL, '28, <em>Basehor-Linwood</em>, '28, this guy just seems to get better and better and after helping lead the charge in last week's 59-35 win over <em>Leavenworth</em>, the results were much the same, as he rushed for 143 yards on only 7 carries, averaging 20+ yards every time he touched the ball, including a scorching 68-yard TD run. Last year he helped lead his team to a 12-1 record &amp; state runner-up finish, rushing for 1,037 yds on 158 carries &amp; 17 TDs &amp; piled up great numbers on defense (70T, 16 TFL, 3S, 2FF); after a busy off-season training he rolled into the season with PRs in the key measurables (520 squat, 365 clean, 325 bench, 4.6 40, 34" VJ) and is more than ready to continue the onslaught this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1455235' first='Archer' last='Amrein']</strong>, 6'3, 200, RB/ATH, <em>Hays</em>, '27, although he has flown under the radar somewhat playing in Western Kansas he is a guy who needs to be at the top of your watchlists as a versatile playmaker on both sides of the ball. Last week, he helped his team get out of the blocks fast with a 28-7 win over a strong <em>Junction City </em>squad, as he spearheaded the <em>Indian</em> running game with 12 carries for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He is a pounding runner who makes decisive cuts before running through would-be tacklers or accelerating into the open field. With good size, power and quickness he is off and running showcasing his next-level talents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2067404' first='Jaxson' last='Green']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaxson-green/"></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaxson-green/"></a>&nbsp;</strong></strong>, 5'10, 180, RB,&nbsp;<em>Andover Central</em>,&nbsp;<strong>'27</strong>, it wasn't the start they had anticipated in losing last week to 6A powerhouse <em>Maize</em> 28-13, but this baller contributed a strong game with 121 yards on 25 carries and scored a touchdown. It was a modest production by his standards as last fall he ran over and around defenders for 1,639 yards on 205 carries, averaging 8+ yards a pop and scored 19 touchdowns to lead all 4A rushers. However, anytime a back rushes for 100+ yards against the brutal <em>Maize</em> defense it is a positive. Expect him to really blow the doors off in the coming weeks as he helps AC get back in the groove.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125649' first='Mak' last='Blosser']</strong>, 5'11, 165, QB/RB/ATH, <em>South Central/Caldwell</em>, '27, he is another versatile baller flying under the radar, but this 3-sport dual-threat QB came out smoking-hot in the season opener, leading his team to a 52-20 win over <em>Argonia/Attica </em>last week. Along the way he piled up 309 total yards and six TDs, completing 10 of 14 passes for 115 yards and a TD and added a game-breaking 194 yards on 26 carries and 5 touchdowns. With a high-octane 300+ yard performance in the first game, this guy is ready for the spotlight this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Also Noteworthy:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaeson Lewis</strong>, 5'10, 175, RB/ATH, <em>Independence</em>, '27, this playmaker helped his team move to 1-0 on the season with a thrilling 36-33 win over <em>Columbus</em> last week on the strength of his monster game, carrying the ball 26 times for 286 yards, including a 97-yard score and had four TDs. With speed, quickness and athleticism this guy is a baller who is going to make things happen this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cole Haubold</strong>, 6'0, 185, RB/LB, <em>Cair Paravel</em>, '27, last week he helped his team cruise to a 46-0 win over <em>Erie</em> and in the process didn't get to play as much as he would have liked but still put up great numbers, rushing 10 times for an eye-popping 276 yards, averaging almost 28 yards everytime he touched the ball and scored 3 TDs. He was also a force on defense, adding 11 tackles and 4 TFL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2101923' first='Nasir'e' last='Williams-Brown']</strong>, 5'10, 170, RB/WR/DB/ATH, <em>Topeka West</em>, '28, this two-way baller stepped up with a good game last week despite his team losing to <em>Piper</em> 56-18. For the evening he was his usual electric self, rushing for 186 yards on only 9 carries, averaging 21 yards per, and scored a pair of TDs, including a sizzling 80-yard score. He also stepped up on defense with 6 tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2065113' first='Max' last='Piva']</strong>, 6'1, 215, RB/ATH, <em>Mill Valley</em>, '27, he is one of the most dynamic backs in the state playing for the #1 team in 6A and it showed as he helped the team start strong with a 56-25 win over SMNW with 182 yards on 19 carries and scored 4 TDs. He is the top returning rusher from last year as he had 1,944 APY, averaged 10+ per touch and piled up 21 TDs. You better buckle up if you're trying to defend this guy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/cargile_wade"></a><a href="https://x.com/cargile_wade"></a><a href="https://x.com/cargile_wade"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/cargile_wade"></a>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as usual…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Keep grindin'</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->