Running Backs Dominating During the Regular Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the playoff season coming at us full force this week, I want to give one last shout out to some of the best running back performances during the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we will take a look at a number of 200+ yard games last week as well as some of the top rushing seasons of 2024, in the top three classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's look into many of the top RB's from the 2024 regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seniors:</strong> <em>four stud senior backs coming off great games to wrap up a dominating regular season</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1316077' first='Jamon' last='Wilson'], 5'10, 175, RB/LB, Highland Park, '25</em></strong> is a versatile playmaker who can beat defenses in any number of ways. This past week he picked up 203 yards rushing on only 11 carries, and caught four passes for another 120 yards for 323 total yards. So far this year he has 510 yards rushing, 349 yards receiving, and 560 yards on kick and punt returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1228455' first='Kole' last='Klaassen'], 6'1, 195, RB, Remington, '25</em></strong> coming off an incredible junior year when he piled up almost 1,500 yards rushing and receiving, he closed out another standout regular season with a huge game against a ranked Sedgwick team, picking up 277 yards on the ground on 21 carries and scored four touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='351573' first='John' last='Whitener'], 5'10, 185, RB/DB, Shawnee Mission NW, '25</em></strong> hammered out another impressive performance in last week's 35-14 win over SM South, as he ran over and through the Raider defense for 207 yards on only 14 carries and a pair of TD's, including a 75-yard score. On the season he has been one of the state's best, gaining 1,160 yards on 156 carries, for a 7.5 yard average and 14 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Jaxon Stevens 5'10, 180, RB/DB, Royal Valley, '25 </em></strong>is another stud running back flying under the radar, this past week in a win over Oskaloosa, he gained 228 yards on 10 carries, for a sizzling 22.8 average per carry. He also scored two TD's, including a 77-yard score. On the year he has 161 carries for 1,306 yards and 9 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Juniors:</strong> <em>two juniors who were season-long front runners and just keep churning out big games</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='780341' first='Parker' last='Schwarz'], 6'1, 205, RB/LB, Prairie View, '26</em></strong> is coming off another 200+ yard game and this time it only took him 12 carries to do it. He has put together an incredible regular season with 1,744 yards on a scant 98 carries, for an off-the-charts average of 17.8 yards per carry and 20 TD's. He has also piled up 50 tackles, three fumble recoveries and two sacks on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='780429' first='Zane' last='Farney'], 5'11, 175, RB, Sterling, '26</em></strong> - is also coming off a high-octane regular season and capped it off with another big game, carrying the ball 19 times for 214 yards and three touchdowns. On the year he has gained 1,391 yards on 168 carries, for an 8.3 average and 17 touchdowns. In his last seven games he is averaging just under 200 yards a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sophomores:</strong><em> a look at the most dynamic sophomore tandem in the land.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='491873' first='Arieus' last='Finley Jr.']&nbsp;, 5'7, 155, RB/KR, Derby '27 </em></strong>is the leading rusher in the class of 2027 and has done so playing on a team that has rolled everyone on their unbeaten streak, which greatly reduces his game time. This past week he picked up 122 yards on 15 carries and two TD's and added 44 yards on returns. For the year he has 986 yards on 98 carries for a standout 10.1 average and 14 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1354313' first='Davon' last='Morrison'], 5'8, 160, RB, Derby '27</em></strong> is another super sophomore in the Panther backfield who gives them another dynamic option in the ground game. On the year he has gained 338 yards on only 31 carries for an eye-popping 11-yard per carry average. Between the two of them they have gained 1,324 yards on 168 carries, averaging 10+ yards per carry and 19 total TD's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, these guys are too good not to get out and see play live. Time is running out if you want to see them in 2024. And, as always, if you know of any players or teams flying under the radar, feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->