Millwood running back Anthony Keys Anthony Keys 170 lbs OK went from being the young, up and coming running back that split carries with a few others to being the seasoned-veteran last fall. Millwood was incredibly young in 2025 and that meant all eyes were on Keys to put the offense on his shoulders while those new faces got used to playing under the Friday night lights. Keys took a massive step forward with his overall production and the leadership qualities he showed definitely stood out. Now, looking ahead to the 2026 season, all those young players are another year older. And when it comes to Keys, he’s going to be one of the more experienced players in 2A-2.

It’s been a tough season for Millwood as they are going through a youth movement this season, playing quite a few freshmen and sophomores. The unquestioned leader this season has been running back Anthony Keys Anthony Keys RB Millwood | 2027 State OK and despite the record, Keys has been one of the best players in Class 2A-1 this season. He’s been a dynamic offensive weapon for Millwood since his freshman year but he has been the engine that has made the Falcons go this season. We have been very impressed with his ability as a running back and more specifically as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Throw on the tape from this year and watch Keys as he’s made a huge jump forward.

Junior running back Anthony Keys Anthony Keys RB Millwood | 2027 State OK was one of the breakout stars of the 2024 season. He got playing time as a freshman in 2023 but he was also splitting carries with two other running backs. Last season, he became an absolute workhorse in the Millwood backfield. He finished the year with a little over 200 carries and had nearly 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. He was also effective as a pass catcher, finishing the season with a little over 300 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Now, Keys is going into his junior season and we can’t help but wonder how his production will look after this season. He’s going into a year as arguably the top running back in 2A-1. 

(2024 All State Honorable Mention)

Millwood running back Anthony Keys Anthony Keys RB Millwood | 2027 State OK is going to be another name to watch moving forward and he took a massive step in 2024. During his freshman season, Keys would earn valuable playing time but he was also splitting carries with multiple running backs. During his sophomore season, the backfield wasn’t as full and that opened the door for Keys to step through and become more of the feature back in the Millwood offense. And as we look ahead to the 2025 season, Keys is going to be the marquee part of this Millwood offense now. The Falcons will have a new quarterback and they’ve lost quite a bit from the skill department and Keys will be the valuable veteran returning this fall. Keys is incredibly powerful and he uses that lower body strength to make short runs turn into big plays. We saw plenty of that in 2024.

We wrap this breakdown up with the running back position. Millwood’s Anthony Keys Anthony Keys RB Millwood | 2027 State OK has emerged as a serious playmaker in this class and after getting a chance to watch him in person earlier this month, he definitely impressed us. The thing that stands out about Keys is his consistency with the football. You saw that in flashes last year when he was a freshman but it really looks like he’s taken a significant step up this year. And it’s easy to see why as Keys is leaned on more as the top running back in the Millwood backfield. Before, he was sharing carries with several other guys. Now, he looks to lead Millwood in rushing as they look to contend again for a state title.

Sophomore running back Anthony Keys Anthony Keys RB Millwood | 2027 State OK had a breakout moment last season with the Millwood offense but we’re fired up to see what he can do this season. On a Millwood offense that averaged nearly 50 points per game, Keys was able to find playing time as a freshman and had meaningful reps in big games. Keys also found himself lower on the depth chart but that won’t be the case this season. We think that Keys will see his production go up this fall and the Falcons will rely on him a little more in the running game. Keys showed last fall that he can be a standout player for the Falcons and now he’s looking to expand that role for Millwood. 

Millwood running back Anthony Keys Anthony Keys RB Millwood | 2027 State OK got onto the field last fall as a freshman but he could be primed for a monster season this fall. Keys was a second or third option at running back but we expect him to move up the depth chart as we head into the 2024 season so don’t be surprised if he becomes a breakout player for the Millwood offense. We got glimpses of what he can do with the ball in his hands last season and that production could see a major spike this fall. Keys has a lot of the tools to be that impact player for the Falcons.