The first of two running backs you have to keep an eye on this season will be senior Bladin McCartney Bladin McCartney 5'10" | ATH Gore | 2026 OK and he has the potential to be one of the top returning backs in Class A-2. Last season, McCartney elevated his game and became the top rusher on the team. He finished with 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. His rushing numbers went up by about 400 yards and he ended up in the end zone three more times than his sophomore season. We can’t wait to see if his numbers go up even more this season. Although he will be splitting carries with a few other players. 

Gore has a handful of two-way players that we really like coming into this season but junior Bladin McCartney Bladin McCartney 5'10" | ATH Gore | 2026 OK might be the best of the bunch. Last season, McCartney was one of Gore’s top options in the running game. He would finish with nearly 800 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. McCartney would also line up at linebacker on the defensive side of the ball and he finished with 60 tackles and three sacks. But an underrated part of McCartney’s game was how he was always in the right place at the right time. He came up with four fumble recoveries throughout the year for the Gore defense. He could end up being one of the better two-way players in Class A-2 this fall.