Top Backfield Tandems Heading into 2022
In this article:
WI high school football is well known for it’s massive O- linemen, and the run game. We covered some of the top OLs in the state a few days ago. Now it is time to highlight the best backfield tandems…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWI high school football is well known for it’s massive O- linemen, and the run game. We covered some of the top OLs in the state a few days ago. Now it is time to highlight the best backfield tandems that tote the rock. Several schools have either high level FB/HB tandems or athletes that split carries forming dangerous 1-2 punches that put up big numbers, and lead to team wins. College coaches, these are going to be some of the go to names at the RB position over the next several years. Make sure to know these names. Let’s get it started!
Oak Creek
- Jackson Phelps Jackson Phelps 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Oak Creek | 2024 State WI , 2024- 5’11″ 180 lbs
- Kaden Bates Kaden Bates 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Oak Creek | 2025 WI , 2025- 5’10″ 170 lbs
This is more of a prediction than something we have already seen, and know about. Oak Creek graduates 3 of their 4 top rushers from 2021, so they will be looking to find new ball carriers for this season to continue their ground success. The two that I believe are going to take over are sophomore Jackson Phelps Jackson Phelps 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Oak Creek | 2024 State WI and freshman Kaden Bates Kaden Bates 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Oak Creek | 2025 WI . The two were able to grab some key experience on the varsity field this past season, so it won’t be new to them. Jackson finished with 22-316-3 while Bates went for 23-152-2. Jackson is a north- south runner who follows and sets up blocks well. He finishes his runs with power, and makes sure to fall forwards when drug down. His subtle lateral agility allow him to also avoid defenders in tight quarters. Bates looks like a up and coming prospect. The freshman checks in at RB3 among freshmen here in WI. Kaden is a shifty back who relies on his vision and lateral agility to find the lane and get himself to the hole. He does a good job of scanning the line for his opening and has that jump cut ability to move multiple gaps to where the hole is with one cut. Bates is also a very willing and able blocker. You love to see that selflessness in a young dude. Big things ahead for this breakout 1-2 punch.
Catholic Memorial
- Pernell Reynolds Pernell Reynolds 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Catholic Memorial (Waukesha ) | 2023 State WI , 2023- 5’10″ 190 lbs
- Corey Smith Corey Smith 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Catholic Memorial | 2024 State WI , 2024- 6’ 175 lbs
This is my choice for most talented backfield heading into 2022. Junior Pernell Reynolds Pernell Reynolds 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Catholic Memorial (Waukesha ) | 2023 State WI is a compact, thick powerful ball carrier who will be the thunder to Corey Smith Corey Smith 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Catholic Memorial | 2024 State WI ’s lightning. Reynolds runs behind his pads well. His north- south, downhill style will be key to setting the tone behind a talented OL. Reynolds runs his feet through contact allowing him to fall forward and gain yards after contact. Sophomore Corey Smith Corey Smith 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Catholic Memorial | 2024 State WI is the best RB in the state no matter the graduating class. He has a long, lean frame that is ready to continue filling out into an elite level build. He has game braking speed, and lightning quick agility in tight quarters. Smith is a game breaker who can take over a game with just a few carries. These two athletes have the potential to form a deadly duo as they look to continue Catholic Memorial’s winning streak. The two combined for 1,600+ yards and 22 TDs last fall. They are going to be must watch every Friday night this fall.
Mondovi
- Dawson Rud Dawson Rud 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Mondovi | 2023 State WI , 2023- 5’8″ 165 lbs
- Peyton Snyder Peyton Snyder 5'10" | 200 lbs | ATH Mondovi | 2024 State WI , 2024- 5’10″ 200 lbs
These two are another exciting thunder and lightning duo. They combined for 1,700+ yards, and 25 TDs this past fall. Rud carried the majority of that work, but expect Snyder to take a step forward with his impact on offense. Rud is an undersized athlete, but he had no problem seeing 200+ caries last fall. His 4.57 speed made it so he didn’t have to take on much contact once he saw open grass. His make you miss ability and quick twitch athleticism allows him to get to that open grass, even when he looks to be corralled by the defense at first glance. He also is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield as well. He has third down/ change of pace back written all over him for the next level. Snyder is going to be the tone setter when he sees carries. His short, choppy strides allow him to always have good contact with the ground so that he can plow over defenders in the hole and out in space.He has been killing it in the weight room this offseason, so expect to see the piles continue to move in his favor this fall. This duo is going to put up numbers, and wins this fall.
Kimberly
- Isaac Dechant Isaac Dechant 5'10" | 225 lbs | ATH Kimberly | 2023 State WI , 2023- 5’10″ 220 lbs
- Blake Barry Blake Barry 6'0" | 210 lbs | RB Kimberly | 2023 State WI , 2023- 6’ 195 lbs
This isn’t one of the tandems that will be splitting carries. This is a FB-HB duo that I believe will work together to do a lot of damage in 2022 Dechant is a bowling ball of a FB. His ability to get hands inside when he meets blocks allows him to gain the quick advantage when it comes to leverage. His leg drive and overall strength allow him to drive edge defenders, LBs, and DEs off the line and out of the hole. I’m a big fan of his finish on a lot of his blocks as well. He will put kids in the dirt like a lineman. Then he adds in a receiving ability that makes him a legitimate option out of the backfield in short yardage/goal line situations. We don’t break RBs into FB/HB, but if we did Dechant would be my current FB1. Barry looks like a good partner for the power blocking Dechant. He follows his blocks well, and he runs with the contact balance and power that makes linemen and FBs want to block for you. Blake possesses some shiftiness to his game, but the main focus for him is to always be going forward. He does that well. You can expect to gain positive yards when you hand it off to Blake.
Mukwonago
- Wynn Stang Wynn Stang 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI , 2023- 6’1″ 190 lbs
- Emmitt Dodds Emmitt Dodds 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2023 WI , 2023- 5’10″ 205 lbs
There were 6 athletes who had 5+ carries for Mukwonago last season. Only two of them return for this fall. Wynn Stang Wynn Stang 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI is the only RB, while the other is QB Evan Herbig Evan Herbig 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Mukwonago | 2023 State WI . This leaves the door open for even bigger numbers for the well put together Stang. His 4.67 40 speed is well balanced by his ability to bounce right off tackle attempts without losing balance. Stang can win in so many ways when he has the ball. Give him a split second to set up blocks and scan for running lanes and he will take off for big chunks untouched. Make him have to earn it with power and he will muscle his way to the tough yards or bounce right off guys until he is in the open field. The big play ability is there on every touch. The one that I expect to see leading the way on those carries is FB Emmitt Dodds Emmitt Dodds 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Mukwonago | 2023 WI . Dodds is used heavily in trap scenarios where he is able to catch bigger defenders off guard. In those situations, Emmitt has enough power to drive them out of the hole for his ball carrier. Dodds also had the range to get to the second level and wall off LBs giving daylight to his HB. This duo should pair up for a lot of big plays this fall.
West De Pere
- Najeh Mitchell Najeh Mitchell 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH West De Pere | 2023 State WI , 2023- 5’9″ 170 lbs
- Andrew Baumgart Andrew Baumgart 6'1" | 240 lbs | DL West De Pere | 2024 State WI , 2024- 6’2″ 195 lbs
West De Pere is home to one of the top returning duos in WI. Mitchell and Baumgart combined for 1,100+ yards and 14 TDs. Najeh is the lightning to Andrew’s thunder. Najeh is blessed with some of the best quick twitch, long speed, and overall athleticism in WI. He has 4.4 speed making him a nightmare in the open field and a walking mismatch out of the backfield as a receiver This kid can turn a sliver of green grass into a huge play on any touch. Baumgart returns as the second leading rusher on the team. Andrew is a north- south runner who doesn’t waste time with lateral jukes. He is going to set his path and not diverge from it. If a defender gets in the way of that path he is going to lower his shoulder and welcome the contact. His play style perfectly complements the style of Najeh’s. They could form quite the duo and lead West De Pere to a successful season.