Ground Gamers: Top Week 7 Rushing Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For those of us who place paramount importance on a sound, reliable running game when assessing programs, it bears noting that there are a wide variety of systems, packages, formations and philosophies for running the football, and subsequently, quality running backs can embody a number of different physical traits and skill sets. This week's collection of top rushing performances only underscores that principle, as it includes a wide range of body types, running styles, and technical specialties, but all represent the diverse and dynamic ways in which play callers are able to align offensive packages with considerable athletic talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["707324"],"_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_0_evaluation":"In the Eagles big 43-8 district win at Rowan County, Conley certainly took full advantage of his limited carriesu002du002dracking up 158 yards and 2 touchdowns on 8 rushes. After persevering through a challenging and injury-shortened junior season last fall, he clearly has completed the rehabilitative work necessary to return to his prior healthy form, and he currently leads all Johnson Central rushers with 599 yards and 5 touchdowns on 82 carries. His average of 85.6 yards rushing per game places him 16th among all Class AAAA ball carriers and helps elevate his Eagles to the top team rushing spot in Class AAAA with an average of 313 yard per game (#4 statewide). Currently 5-3 on the season, Conley and his Eagles will conclude their regular season with important district contests against Greenup County and Ashland Blazer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["401923"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"An explosive and physical runner with the ability to burst through initial contact and outrun second/third level pursuit, Hightower eclipsed the 200-yard barrier for the second time this season after breaking loose for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns on 16 carries in the Maroons' 36-7 victory over Apollo. After compiling over 1,000 yards of total offense and 8 touchdowns as a freshman last year, he already has surpassed those numbers in only seven games this season with 14 touchdowns, and his current average of 129 yards rushing per game places him atop all Class AAAAA rushers (25th statewide). A downhill runner with the ability to quickly and efficiently cut back against over pursuit, his breakaway speed has enabled him to average 12.6 points per game, ranking him 3rd among all Class AAAAA scorers and 29th statewide. Currently 6-2, Hightower and the Maroons will host Owensboro this week in a huge district clash sure to attract countless next-level scouts.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["971534"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"After succeeding in limited varsity action last season as a freshman, Traynor appears to be hitting stride in his first full season as a varsity starter, and he was integral to his Crimsons' huge 37-36 district win over St. Xavier. Carrying the ball a season-high 27 times, he churned out 143 tough-and-physical yards, 2 touchdowns and hauled in 3 pass receptions for 10 yards. Currently the #5 rusher in Class AAAAAA (49th statewide) averaging 105.7 yards per game, his 10 touchdowns and 10.0 points-per-game average also rank him 7th in the class and help propel the Crimson offense to #5 in Class AAAAAA team scoring (32.0 points per game). While seeming to advance technically with each week's outing, Traynor has enlisted exceptional acceleration, efficient vision and patience with blockers to total 634 yards rushing on 97 carries, while also demonstrating the ability to catch the football via 6 receptions for 43 yards. Just a sophomore, his developmental ceiling appears exceptionally high and well worth following.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Kymani Reardon","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Washington County","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Reardon is another young running back in his first season of varsity competition who seems to be acclimating quite well to his current level, thanks, as evidenced by his offensive performance in the Commanders' 44-12 win over visiting W.E.B. Dubois. After gaining 184 yards rushing and scoring 1 touchdown on 14 carries, he now has over 680 yards and 6 touchdowns on 83 carriesu002du002dranking him 19th among all Class AA rushers with an average of 85.4 yards per game. Also a skilled pass catcher whether aligned behind the tackle box or as a slot receiver, he averages over 20 yards per catch on 6 catches and has added 2 more touchdowns receiving. With the ability to make defenders miss in space and the speed to alter opposing pursuit angles, Reardon currently averages 6.5 points per game, ranking him 37th among all Class AA scorers and helping rank his Commanders 7th in team scoring (35.4 point per game).","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["840733"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"When one initially recognizes Sheppard's physical dimensions, sure, likely the first thought is u0022inside runner,u0022 and you wouldn't be wrong in that assessment. However, upon watching some video of this young man, well...let's just say that it would be unwise to dismiss his ability to hurt defenses outside the hash marks. First of all, when aligning as the single back in a variety of spread and 3-by-1 formations, he certainly gets downhill quickly on inside zone and counter runs between the tackles, and he proves to be an exceptionally reliable and devastating blocker on QB runs. Yet he also displays the ability to quickly bend his running paths to daylightu002du002dand he clearly has the speed to outrun those who fail to take a respectful pursuit angle. In the Colonels' 35-14 win at Eastern he finished the night with 136 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns on 23 carries, placing him now 4th among all rushers in Class AAAAAA (108.9 yards per game). With 762 total yards rushing and 8 touchdowns, Sheppard also currently ranks 21st among all scorers in Class AAAAAA and helps elevate his Colonel offense to #2 in Class AAAAAA in team rushing (187.0 yards per game).","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526fbc3ce70f"} /-->