Breakout 3A Running Backs On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to find another state that produces high-level backs like the peach state. In every area of the state and in every classification, there are running backs having a breakout season this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jacere-cooper/CZFSU3pKEemA0ZFtwg1OMQ/football/stats.htm">Jacere Cooper</a> - Morgan County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong, physical back who knows how to run behind his pads, Cooper is a thick 5-foot-9 200-pound senior who knows how to break tackles and keep his feet moving. a two-time All-Region performer, Cooper is off to a fantastic season in 2022, rushing for over 143 yards per game this year through his first seven games. There's been only one game where he didn't go over the 100-yard mark, and he still rushed for 97 yards that game. He's productive, reliable, and can put the offense on his back. He's rushed 134 times so far this season for an outstanding 1,006 yards and 13 touchdowns. He's averaging an impressive 7.5 yards per carry this year, proving that he's been one of the top backs in 3A this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/mason-sullens/0vlR2m4zEeqAzqREozo6lw/football/stats.htm">Mason Sullens</a> - Lumpkin County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> A shift back with impressive feet, Sullens is an under the radar back in North Georgia having an excellent junior year for Lumpkin County. He's one of the leading rushers in 3A right now with his 817 yards and 13 touchdowns on 137 carries. His size won't blow you away, but when you watch him play, it's easy to see he's consistently one of the better players on the field. He's tough, doesn't mind contact, and does a good job of falling forward for a few extra yards and the end of runs. He's one of the top backs in the area, and the numbers back it up. He's been a touchdown machine this year, finding the end-zone 13 times so far. His biggest game came in week one where he ran for over 120 yards and four touchdowns in a big win over Riverside Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jason Williams - Harlem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top overall backs in East Georgia, the small-town back outside of Augusta has been a tackle-breaking machine so far this season. He's not a big back at 5-foot-8 185-pounds, but he's got some muscle on his frame that allows him to break tackles and keep the chains moving. He's some some quickness and burst to his game as well, and when there's open field, he's going to take off for a big run. He's been reliable and consistent each week, averaging 122 yards per game so far through his first six games. He runs with balance and does a good job of not getting tackled by one defender. On the year, Williams has rushed for 732 yards on just 88 carries for an impressive average of 8.3 yards per carry. He's also found the end-zone at least two times in each of his last five games. In total, Williams has scored 13 rushing touchdowns, proving he's one of the most productive backs in 3A so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jamari-riley/_GrmVc3yEemAzfp8ouYFiw/football/stats.htm">Jamari Riley</a> - Carver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A promising senior that has really impressed so far this year, Riley is a versatile back at 5-foot-8 180-pounds who knows how to slip through tackles and get down the field. He's been very consistent this year as a senior, averaging over 114 yards so far this year through his first five games. He's rushed 63 times for 571 yards for an excellent average of 9.1 yards per carry. He's great in the open field, can make defenders miss, and averaging almost a full first down with each carry. He's also scored at least one touchdown in every game but one this year, finding the end-zone 9 times so far this season, making him one of the more productive backs not only in West Georgia, but across the entire 2023 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->