Week 4: Standout Running Back Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By the fourth week in the season a handful of the state's elite running backs start to separate themselves from the herd. By the looks of things so far, in order to lead the state in rushing will require a herculean effort whoever ends up being on top at season end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The way the 2024 season has gotten started it will probably take 2,000+ yards rushing and/or approximately 200 yards rushing per game. Serious numbers indeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we will take a look at some of the state's leaders in rushing yards to date, as well as shine a spotlight on some of the great games played and check in to see how some of the young stars are doing. The backs will be grouped in five concise categories below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's dive into the RB's who ripped it up in week 4:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>900 Club</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780341' first='Parker' last='Schwarz']</strong>, Prairie View </em>- vaulted into the top spot this week for rushing yards with a four-game total of 997 yards on 52 carries, which translates into an eye-popping 19.2 yards every time he touches the ball. He has also done a little bit of everything for <em>Prairie View</em> so far, scoring 11 TD's and making 22 tackles on defense. Get your popcorn out for this guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1296536' first='Landin' last='Johnson']</strong>, Ellsworth</em> - had the top spot the last few weeks before being edged out in week 4. So far in 2024 he has been off to a superlative start, carrying the ball 77 times for 935 yards for a 12.1 yard average. He has also scored 13 touchdowns, including a 94-yard TD run. The Ellsworth workhorse is going to make it interesting to see who ends up in the top spot at season end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>800 Club:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1310981' first='Reggie' last='Reece']</strong>, Mill Valley</em> - has been off and running among the state leaders in rushing yards and carries since week one. He is the primary force behind the overpowering <em>Mill Valley</em> running attack, carrying a daunting 121 times already this year for 855 yards. He is averaging 7.1 yards per carry and has scored 10 touchdowns. A powerful, 6'2, 210 pound back, he has been shredding defenses all year even when they know he's getting the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552973' first='Kade' last='Smith']</strong>, Hutchinson </em>- is coming off an incredible game last Friday when he piled up 323 yards on 20 carries for three TD's in a 47-0 rout of <em>Salina South</em>. With that impressive game, he moved up to the fourth spot in the state RB race with 844 yards on 109 carries and seven touchdowns, with one of them being a 76-yard touchdown scamper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>700 Club:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904436' first='Augie' last='Fast']</strong>, Wichita Northwest</em> - has been one of the key elements behind Wichita NW's unblemished start. He is a hard-charging, primary back in the offensive scheme and has made numerous big plays already this year. On the season he has carried the ball 102 times for 755 yards and four touchdowns. He has been shredding defenses all year and can be counted on to pick up big yards after initial contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Standout Games</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398429' first='Korbin' last='Johnson']</strong>, Holcomb</em> - came out of the gate ready to rumble last Friday and put together quite a stat line. He carried the ball 25 times for 278 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 56 yards and on defense had four tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and an interception. Have a game young man!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1620500' first='Tre' last='Wilson']</strong>, Iola</em> - put together a big game last week, similar to above doing a little bit of everything. He carried the ball 17 times for 257 yards and four scores to go along with 10 tackles, a pair of tackles for loss and a pick in a key win over <em>Anderson County </em>25-18. He is a playmaker who makes a difference every week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Miguel Hernandez</strong>, Hugoton</em> - put together another strong game in Western Kansas when he carried the pigskin 17 times for a blistering 251 yards and scored two touchdowns. He is also a headhunter on defense from his hybrid linebacker position, making plays sideline-to-sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Young Stars in the Making</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>G'honi Montgomery,</strong> Highland Park</em>, '27 - the sophomore running back is off and running on a great start to the 2024 season with 44 carries for 426 yards and four touchdowns. He is averaging an impressive 9.7 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='491873' first='Arieus' last='Finley Jr.'],</strong> Derby</em>, '27 - the dynamic sophomore all-purpose back has been a big part of the <em>Derby</em> machine rolling to an undefeated record so far this year. Lining up as the lone setback in the Derby scheme, he has carried the ball 35 times for 389 yards and six touchdowns. He is averaging a sparkling 11.1 yards per carry - essentially the minimum output being a first down whenever he has the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125716' first='Camron' last='Fields']</strong>, KC Washington</em>, '27 - got off to a good start and has continued to show promise as an elite-sophomore back who has carried the ball 21 times for 338 yards and five touchdowns, one of which was a blazing 99-yard touchdown run. His average yards per carry is outstanding to say the least, picking up 16.1 yards with every touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, these guys are too good not to go see air it out live. Get out and see them – you will not be disappointed. And, as always, just a reminder that if you know of any players or teams flying under the radar so far this season, feel free to contact&nbsp;<strong><em>CoolDaddyO</em></strong>&nbsp;via&nbsp;<strong>DM</strong>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<strong>X</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->