Midlands Top Running Backs Through Week 7

As we come down the home stretch of the 2026 regular season, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/">now is the perfect time to get in the game</a>. You can subscribe to Prep RedZone South Carolina today - and enjoy 40% off while you're at it. Simply use the offer code Guerin40 for significant savings on an annual membership. You'll gain access to all the content from our deeply embedded team of scouts across the Palmetto State, as well as our rankings and player evaluations.   There is no secret about it – if you can run the football, success will likely follow. We're not saying you can't be successful with a limited rushing attack, but it sure does help matters now that the calendar has flipped to October and we're in line for cooler weather the rest of the way.   The 1,000-yard plateau has long been a benchmark for a running back. Some on this list are already past that mark and others will race past that mark in the coming weeks.   That leads us to looking at some of the better running backs in the Midlands and what they mean to their teams as we navigate region play and the upcoming playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816469' first='Avery' last='King'] RB, Brookland-Cayce   The Bearcats picked up a key region win last week and the hope is that will turn the season around. King is going to be at the forefront if so. The junior averages 118.7 yards per game and has 104 of 143 rushing attempts on the season. He has 712 yards but scored just two touchdowns because Brookland-Cayce seems to get bogged down in the Red Zone. Working out those kinks will help in region play.    [player_tooltip player_id='2267937' first='Aaden' last='Manning'] RB, Camden   The Bulldogs have a fairly balanced attack, but when it comes to the running game, Manning leads the way. The junior has 427 yards and six touchdowns on 66 carries. But he is far from a one-man show in the Camden backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='1720755' first='Jaden' last='Manning'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1772703' first='Bernard' last='Green'] provide valuable resources and all three are a danger with the ball in their hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823421' first='Jaylen' last='Brost'] RB, Gilbert   Brost has proven to be a workhorse in the Indians rushing attack. The sophomore has three 100-yard games on the season but has struggled in recent weeks. He's sitting at 544 yards on 123 carries on the season. Brost has games where he's reached 161, 158 and 102 yards. Gilbert will need that kind of production down the stretch to be a factor in region play.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823910' first='Michale' last='Moss'] RB, Lower Richland   Lower Richland has struggled out of the gate but it's not because of the play of Moss. The junior has 417 yards on 95 carries and very easily could flirt with the 1,00-yard mark before the season is over. If the coaching staff wants to see improvement in region play, Moss only has two touchdowns on his 95 attempts.     [player_tooltip player_id='1664643' first='Calvin' last='Wofford'] RB, Crestwood   Wofford is just shy of the 1,000-yard mark and has been one of the most consistent running backs in the Midlands. The senior is averaging 160.5 yards per game, which equals out to 963 yards on the season. He has four 100-yard games with 11 touchdowns. He's proven to be durable as well. Wofford has accounted for 114 of the 167 carries rushing attempts. And he's a threat to go the distance at any time. His longest run of the season was a 90-yarder.    [player_tooltip player_id='1820137' first='Jvon' last='Kelly'] RB, Andrew Jackson   The senior is looking to close his career with a strong stretch in region play. He was the Volunteers leading rusher a season ago and he's on pace to match those numbers again. Kelly has 359 yards and three touchdowns through five games. His production in the second half of the season could be a direct result in how successful Andrew Jackson finishes in the region.     [player_tooltip player_id='1822187' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] RB, Keenan   O'Neal has proved to be a versatile option in both the rushing and passing attack for the Raiders. He has 701 yards rushing with 10 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 140.2 yards per game. He has accounted for 83 of 170 carries so far this season. But he's just as valuable in the passing attack. The senior has 14 catches for 228 yards and another score. Keenan is 5-1 after winning just three games a season ago.     [player_tooltip player_id='1823534' first='Ryker' last='Woolstenhulme'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1824532' first='Akai' last='Williams'] RB, Mid-Carolina   The Rebels knew what they had in Woolstenhulme and he hasn't disappointed. The senior has 435 yards and seven touchdowns on 63 carries. But what might have come as a surprise is the play by Williams. He's just a sophomore and he's accounted for 345 yards and three touchdowns on 40 attempts. Mid-Carolina is 6-0 on the season after having just five wins a season ago. If Woolstenhulme and Willams continue their spectacular play, Mid-Carolina could be a factor in Class 2A.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822635' first='Tyrene' last='Tyler'] RB, Orangeburg-Wilkinson   Tyler gets on this list, but he's only been used in spot duty at running back so far. In four games, the senior has 294 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. The Bruins might want to use him more on offense now that the weather is cooling down but Tyler is the leading tackler for O-W with 14.5 tackles per game. He might not come off the field much in the month of October.     [player_tooltip player_id='1818894' first='Tre' last='Jackson'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1618829' first='Brady' last='Cottingham'] RB, Pelion   Pelion is using a two-headed attack to hopefully navigate a successful region schedule. Jackson is the leading rusher with 485 yards and two touchdowns on 62 attempts. He's the outside threat that can rip off big gains at any time. Cottingham is more of a between the tackles runner and has produced six touchdowns and 397 yards on 87 carries. Those two will be key down the stretch.     [player_tooltip player_id='1953815' first='Malachi' last='Jackson'] RB, Clear Dot   Jackson has reached the 100-yard mark in four games this season and is averaging 10 yards per carry – 835 yards on 83 carries. He has accounted for six touchdowns and has filled in at quarterback when needed. He is averaging 139 yards per game and should reach the magical 1,000-yard in the next week or two.    [player_tooltip player_id='1467816' first='Kingston' last='Green'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1825127' first='Ayden' last='Hopp'] RB, Whitmire   The Wolverines sit at 3-3 and are going to need big games from Green and Hopp down the stretch. Green is a junior that has 356 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries. Hopp is a sophomore that has 372 yards and five touchdowns on 60 rushing attempts. Both players are a threat in the passing game and will be used there as well. There is a fair chance they both go over 700 yards on the season and anything above and beyond that will be an added bonus.     [player_tooltip player_id='1816746' first='Kenyan' last='Douglas'] RB, Fairfield Central   The Griffins have proved to be one of the better teams in Class A this season and can move the sticks on the ground or in the air. When it comes to the running game, Douglas is front and center. The senior is averaging 121 yards per game. He has 727 yards and 10 touchdowns on 100 rushing attempts this season. He runs well between the tackles but also can bounce outside and use his speed to create space.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820207' first='Roshawn' last='Aiken'] RB, Calhoun County   Aiken has missed some time this season with injury, but the junior has 242 yards and two TD's. He runs well between the tackles and can move the pile when needed. His toughness is key to his success. And teams can't key on stopping Aiken because junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1820205' first='Darren' last='Ben'] has 436 yards rushing.     [player_tooltip player_id='2210109' first='Charlie' last='Howell'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1818504' first='Harper' last='Ellerbee'] RB, Chapin   This underclassman duo has accounted for 210 of the Eagles 227 rushing attempts this season. That also means they've accounted for 1,171 of the teams 1,211 rushing yards. Howell, a junior, leads the way with 691 yards on 122 carries with a team-best eight rushing touchdowns. Ellerbe, a sophomore, has been more than an adequate sidekick with 480 yards on 88 carries and seven touchdowns. There's a chance these two could both reach the 1,000-yard plateau before it's all said and done.      [player_tooltip player_id='1821111' first='Quintin' last='Wilson'] (pictured above) RB, Dutch Fork   Early in the season, the Silver Foxes relied on Shrine Bowl QB [player_tooltip player_id='1823705' first='Jaxon' last='Knotts'] and his fleet of receivers to be the bulk of the offense. But in recent weeks, the running game behind Wilson (pictured above) has improved. The senior is now at 348 yards rushing on the season and he's averaging 10.5 yards per carry. He hasn't been tackled for a loss all season. You should expect to see his workload increase down the stretch and into the playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1191778' first='Shannon' last='Lytes'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='2210788' first='Noah' last='Dunn'] RB, Lexington   The Wildcats have become more of a passing team with QB [player_tooltip player_id='1848408' first='Easton' last='Crocker'] and receiver Vic Kaczenski and [player_tooltip player_id='2371139' first='Ian' last='Danson'] doing a lot of the heavy lifting. But don't discount what Lytes and Dunn have provided. Dunn, a sophomore, racked up 335 yards on 86 carries but more importantly has eight of the teams 18 rushing touchdowns. Lytes has four scores and leads the team in rushing with 385 yards on 74 attempts. If those two can help keep the chains moving, the passing attack can hit the big play.    [player_tooltip player_id='1818960' first='Ashton' last='Boyd'] RB, River Bluff   The Gators had question marks at the running back position coming into the season but the sophomore has stepped into a prominent role. Boyd has 493 yards rushing and a touchdown on 103 carries this season. He's gotten the bulk of the carries but [player_tooltip player_id='1422592' first='Caleb' last='Pinkney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='262172' first='Bubba' last='Alexander'] have played a role mainly in Red Zone situations with four rushing touchdowns each.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] RB, Gray Collegiate   Williamson was banged up last game but that hasn't prevented the senior from averaging 120 rushing yards per game. He has 839 yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 120 attempts, but he's also showed his value as a receiver out of the backfield. Williamson has 12 receptions for 204 yards and a touchdown. That type of versatility has made Williamson one of the best backs in the Midlands since he burst on the scene as a freshman.     [player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian'] RB, Ridge View   The Blazers got off to a slow start offensively and have only rushed for 713 yards as a team in five games. But they've won three in a row heading into region play this week. Bobian could be a huge factor down the stretch. The senior only has 53 carries for 344 yards and two touchdowns. He could see his workload double in region play and help support the passing attack that [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] seems to be running with ease.   [player_tooltip player_id='2401154' first='Jamarion' last='Witherspoon'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1817005' first='Reggie' last='Shannon'] RB, Sumter   We know what Sumter wants to do offensively and they do it well. The Gamecocks have rushed for 2,041 yards with just 207 passing yards in seven games. Witherspoon is only a freshman, but he's busted onto the scene with 713 yards and eight touchdowns on 79 carries. Shannon has more carries with 111 and has contributed 644 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's only been tackled for a loss one time this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1816997' first='Cleveland' last='Pinkney'] has only played three games, but he had 190 yards on 24 attempts. And QB [player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson'] has missed time but has 328 yards on 55 carries. If Sumter can continue to run at a high clip and mix in the pass a little more down the stretch, they could be a dangerous team.     [player_tooltip player_id='1817082' first='Zion' last='Gaddist'] RB, AC Flora   The Falcons haven't had the success they expected this season, but Gaddist has been a bright spot. The senior has 606 yards on 96 carries and is the second-leading receiver on the team with 14 catches for 182 yards. He's totaled 11 touchdowns and could be what makes the offense go in the remaining games on the schedule.     Ashton Felder RB, Dreher   The Blue Devils have been one of the big surprises this season and sit at 5-1 while averaging 45 points per game. And Felder, just a freshman, has played a huge factor into that success. He has scored nine rushing touchdowns while going for 433 yards on 49 carries, which is 8.8 yards per attempt. Felder is also a threat in the passing game with nine receptions for 158 yards and two additional touchdowns. Sophomore Yanis West helps with 306 yards on 50 carries and two touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning'] RB, Lugoff-Elgin   Fanning has been the bulk of the Demons rushing attack and he's been spectacular. He is one of the state's leading rushers with 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns. Fanning has accounted for 122 of Lugoff-Elgin's 168 rushing attempts. He also has played a factor in the passing game. The senior has 12 receptions for 176 yards and has become a big check down option for when things are covered downfield.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] RB, Westwood   Rios was back in the lineup last week after being injured in the first game of the season. The Redhawks only scored 14 points in the first four games but have scored 41 in the last two contests. Rios gives them an added dimension that the offense was missing in the early part of the season. If the senior reverts back to his form as a junior, Westwood could pick up its first win of the season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1675598' first='Tai' last='Phillips'] RB, Irmo   It's easy to see why Alabama was quick to offer the Yellow Jackets transfer from North Carolina. The senior has speed to burn and if he gets the corner, nobody is going to catch him. He has accounted for 504 yards and five touchdowns on the season. This might be a case where Irmo was going to limit his touches in the early part of the season but lean on him heavily once region play begins.

As we come down the home stretch of the 2026 regular season, now is the perfect time to get in the game. You can subscribe to Prep RedZone South Carolina today - and enjoy 40% off while you're at it. Simply use the offer code Guerin40 for significant savings on an annual membership. You'll gain access to all the content from our deeply embedded team of scouts across the Palmetto State, as well as our rankings and player evaluations.