It's really difficult to balance out level of competition versus accomplishment. In East Texas, running back is king, and the legends remain the same year in and year out. It's the newcomers that bring the latest debate. and it's up to me to nitpick and try to determine what's great. Every year the shuffle shifts guys around, here's the 50 best from the past 25 seasons. PS: Players still in school will not be represented on this list. Tra Ball and KJ Edwards will be apart of next year's list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGWBvMhV8UE
Braylon Stewart was a really good running back on two 12-1 Texas High Tiger teams in 2020 and 2021. Stewart's patience, balance, explosion through the hole, and ability to make guys miss were his strongest traits. As a junior he burst on the scene as the starter with 1,126 yards (7.9 ypc) and 12 touchdowns on 146 carries in 9 games. As a senior those numbers jumped to 1,968 yards (2nd All time) (7.1) and 27 (2nd All Time) touchdowns on 275 carries.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-t4RS8COgE |
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm0On5jLhhY |
Isaiah Phillips is as talented as they come. Phillips played outside backer for the Pack in 2015 and 16, but was switched back over to offense his senior year. While the Panthers had talent out wide, Phillips was the motor to an offense that made it to the quarterfinals in 2017. Isaiah ran for 2,012 (6.77 ypc) yards and 27 touchdowns in 14 games that year. He had incredible balance, tremendous power, and breakaway speed to finish long runs. A true total package.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2iTcJoPQ9M |
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Isaiah Ross was a specimen in 2022. He ran for 2,532 yards and 27 touchdowns, averaging 10 yards a carry. He carried Kilgore to the 4th round for the second consecutive year losing to Chapel Hill. Ross could run through you, juke around you, and most importantly finish runs. As a junior, Ross backed up Davin Rider and rushed for 700 yards and 8 touchdowns, dazzling in his one start against Palestine. Ross's low center of gravity made him a tough tackle and a name to remember in East Texas.
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https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1082487/5721b7db64e96b6380f818a4 |
Kevin Johnson performed incredibly at SMU as a cornerback, but first he was a running back in the heavy run system at Waskom. As a sophomore Johnson only had 87 carries, but went for 1,002 yards (11.1 ypc) and 20 touchdowns. In more of a starter's role as a junior Johnson went for 1,860 yards (14.1 ypc) on 131 carries and 31 touchdowns. As a senior, Johnson went for a career high 1,989 yards (14.62 ypc) on 136 carries for 23 touchdowns. For a career that's 354 carries for 4,851 yards and 74 touchdowns.
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Trevion Sneed went on to play DE at SMU, but before then he was a 3,000 yard runner at Mineola. As a sophomore he splashed onto the scene rushing for 1,613 yards (7.13 YPC) and 16 touchdowns. As a junior, Sneed's season was cut short, but he rushed 130 times for 755 yards and 11 touchdowns. In comes his humongous senior season. Leading the Yellow Jackets to a 11-2 season, Sneed ran the ball 337 times for 3,082 yards and 36 touchdowns. That work load is incredible, and at 6'2 220, nobody wanted to tackle Sneed all game long. Currently, Sneed is a defensive end at Northwestern State University, after transferring from SMU.
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Makenzie McGill had one of the best careers from the recent backs that have just finished up in ETX. Makenzie started as a junior in 2021 for a team that went 5 rounds deep and 14-1. Makenzie was 4th in 3A when he rushed for 2,154 yards (7.38 YPC) and 37 touchdowns. As a senior, Mount Vernon lost their starting QB in the 4th game of the season. The offense went straight to McGill. He ran for 2,557 yards (10.74 YPC) and 35 touchdowns in just 12 games. McGill didn't have top notch speed, but his moves and skill set made him impossible to bring down for one defender.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWzvM1m_EQA&t=3s
Haskins got the opportunity to watch Shakeem Jefferson go bonkers in 2011, and when it was his opportunity in 2012, he took it to another level. Haskins rushed for an incredible amount: 3,207 yards (11.1 YPC) and 52 touchdowns in just 13 games. Haskins had breakaway speed, on top of a muscular physique that made it tough to bring him down. Haskins took that big year on to Oregon State.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li0E5wnDCUM |
Mason Courtney was a gem for 2 state championship teams in Carthage. Not only a threat in the running game, Mason was a receiving threat out of the backfield. As a backup his sophomore year, Courtney rushed for 934 yards on 135 carries for and 12 touchdowns. As a junior, Mason rushed for 1,679 yards and 23 total touchdowns averaging 7.3 yards per carry. As a senior he repeated that effort with 1,555 yards and 30 total touchdowns averaging 8.05 yards per carry. For a career Mason had 70 catches for over a 1,000 yards and 5 touchdowns and 4,168 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_cerYHSY6o |
As far as total game goes, Meredith didn't have it. He was a one cut, straight line back that had tremendous home run speed. If you've only got one trick, I suppose, hitting the home run is the best one to have. As a sophomore, and 3rd on the totem poll for carries, he ran for 792 yards and 11 touchdowns and returned a kick for a touchdown against Amarillo Tascosa in the 5th round of the State Championship run in 2018. As the starter in 2019, Meredith rushed for 1,652 yards (8.99 ypc) and 20 touchdowns, 385 yards coming against Mesquite Horn, and he also returned a kick against Marshall for a TD. As a senior he had a huge finale, rushing for 1,398 yards (7.28) and 26 touchdowns as well as a 40 yard catch and run touchdown. 60 career touchdowns for a consistent workhorse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQq5XoVhYSk
Horace was a specimen that rode under the radar during his 3 year career at Center. As a sophomore, Horace ran for 989 yards and 10 touchdowns in a reserve type role. Horace got the start as a junior and was flat out special. In 2019, Horace ran 178 times for 2,116 yards and 26 touchdowns. That's a whopping 11.89 YPC. That's insane. He did all of this in just 11 games, as Center finished 6-5. As a senior, Horace topped the 2,000 mark again this time rushing 219 times for 2,309 yards (10.54 YPC) and 32 touchdowns in 12 games. Horace had moves, but his best trait was his speed. At 5'11 200 plus he was a tough guy to tackle all game, and once he found a crease, the man was gone. For a 3 year career, Horace ran for 5,413 yards and 68 touchdowns, phenomenal work.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkOeKCbWN-Y |
Personally, I've never seen someone run with as much determination as Keilyn Williams. We all know about the folk lore story of his size. 5 foot 4 inches, 145 pounds and would absolutely try to murder you every single down he was on the field. His run style was sort of untamed which helped him as much as hurt him. For a career, Keilyn ran for 2,675 yards and probably left another 500 on the field dancing in and out of holes. He was impossible to get a clean hit on, and ran with a pace and urgency that's sorta unmatched. He took over as the starter in game 4 of his junior year when Jessie Anderson went down. He ran the ball 170 times for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns, while catching it 11 times for 151 yards and 1 touchdown. He added a throwing touchdown in the 5th playoff game against Midway and returned the opening kick of the season against Lufkin for 20 total touchdowns his junior year. His senior was just as potent, rushing 206 times for 1,550 yards and 18 touchdowns, while adding 23 receptions for 564 yards and 9 touchdowns. 47 career touchdowns for a back at that size and splitting time with a teammate who's on this list as well.
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The future NFL Pro Kendall Hunter didn't have quite the prolific a career as he did post high school. Hunter played during a difficult time in JT history. During his 3 year career the Lions went 14-18, with 1 highlight 8-3 season. As a sophomore, Hunter got back up action where he collected less than 300 yards. As a junior, he took over as a starter and had a 1,000 yard season. Kendall's best year came as a senior in 2006. He rushed for 1,464 yards and 20 touchdowns in 11 games that season.  |
Chris Davis put up 3 magical stat lines at Troup that can not be ignored. As a sophomore, Davis rushed for 2,072 yards (7.48 ypc) on 264 carries and 21 touchdowns, as Troup went 14-2 that season, losing to Crawford 28-14 in the State Championship game. As a junior, Davis's numbers are even more impressive in an 11 game slate. He rushed for 1,842 yards and 19 touchdowns averaging 8.37 yards per carry. As a senior, Davis went over that 2,000 yard marker again, this time going for 2,198 yards (7.74 ypc) and 25 touchdowns in 12 games.
Perhaps the greatest Panther of all time, Jamario Thomas was an impact player for 3 years on varsity as the starting running back. His sophomore year he made a huge splash, rushing for 1,749 (6.82 YPC) and 28 touchdowns in 12 games. As a junior, Thomas rushed for even more yards on less carries in 14 games. He ran for 1,958 (7.70 ypc) and 34 touchdowns. His senior year may seem like a drop off, but in 11 games he averaged his highest ypc in his career. He rushed for 1,279 (7.75) and 24 touchdowns leading the Panthers. JaMario owns the career rushing record in yards and touchdowns at Spring Hill. His 1,958 yards in a season record was broken by none other than his little brother, Damario Thomas. Thomas went on to North Texas and lit it up as a freshman. Thomas rushed for more yards than he did for the rest of his career. Thomas toted, 285 times 1,801 yards and 17 touchdowns as a true freshman. For the remainder of his career he rushed for 1,695 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Hunter Holland was a back up his first 2 years at Carthage, but in 2010 he emerged as the starter, and has one of the best 1 year starting careers ever. Of course Carthage won state, and between him and Anthony Morgan and Jalen Claiborne, there might not be a better set of triplets in ETX history. Holland ran for 2,604 yards (8.27 ypc) and 38 touchdowns in 16 games that season. Holland was great at every scheme, he could run it inside or outside and he had the speed to finish the long run. 38 touchdowns in one year is wild, especially for a team that's beating the brakes off opponents and not playing full games til the playoffs.
The first 5 star in East Texas since Adrian Peterson, Jermie Calhoun was supposed to be a carbon copy. At 6' 215, Calhoun had the physicality that hadn't been seen on that level since AP. Hell, he even committed and went to Oklahoma. As a sophomore Calhoun burst on the scene with 1803 yards (7.83 ypc) and 23 touchdowns in just 10 games. Van went 8-2 but their two losses came in district play and missed the playoffs. As a junior, Calhoun went for less, rushing for 1,592 (8.56 ypc) and 20 touchdowns. The Vandals went 6-4 that season. As a senior, Calhoun finished his career with 1,908 yards (7.88 YPC) and 30 touchdowns. The Vandals improved their win total from 6 to 7, but it wasn't enough to make the playoffs. Calhoun rushed for a lot of yards in school, but his placement on the list is the same reason why he wasn't that successful at Oklahoma. It may have reminded folks of AP, but it wasn't.
In 2003, Keith Gillam was on a 2-8 Sabine Cardinals team. Despite rushing for 1,247 yards, Gilliam couldn't take the Cardinals out of the mud. In 2004 Keith Gilliam transferred over to Kilgore High School, and the rest is history. Gilliam put on one of the most impressive seasons ever. He ran for 2,775 (6.75) on 411 touches and 27 touchdowns. That year Keith was the workhorse on a 16-0 football team that completed one of the more magical seasons in ETX history. A short back, Gilliam had the power to tote the load all game long, and had breakaway speed to finish long runs when he broke through the line. Gilliam still holds the record for most yards in a season, and is second on the touchdowns list for a season.
Another big back comes in here at 27 in Tra Carson. At 5'11 225, Carson could run through you, but was also nimble enough to run around and juke you as well. As a junior in just 11 games, Carson ran for 1,362 (8.16 ypc) yards and 17 touchdowns. As a senior, in 11 games, Carson's production went through the roof. Tra ran for 2,202 yards (200 yards per game) on 196 carries (11.23 YPC) and 24 touchdowns. That production led him to Oregon where he transferred to Texas A&M University where he earned a stint in the NFL with the Chargers. In college, Carson ran for 2,329 yards and 20 touchdowns, while catching 42 passes for 305 yards and 1 touchdown. His biggest year was his SR. year at Texas A&M: 242 carries, 1,165 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Cody Glenn was a big bruising back in his days for the Rusk Eagles back in the early 2000s. Between his freshman and sophomore years Glenn ran for 2,419 yards and 32 touchdowns. As a junior, Glenn kicked into over drive as the no doubt starter. In 2003, Glenn ran 238 times for 1,828 yards and 28 touchdowns in just 11 games. He took that output and went even higher as a senior in 2004. Glenn rushed 278 times for 2,006 yards and 27 touchdowns in 11 games that year for the Eagles. Glenn went on to become a running back at Nebraska, all the way up to his senior year when he moved to LB. That decision turned out to be a good one as he spent some time in the league for the Indianapolis Colts.
For years, I considered Lennon Creer a top 10 back in East Texas, and while the drop may seem disrespectful, through film and research, this is the more appropriate place for him. Creer was the heart of 2 state championships in 2005, 06 for the Tatum Eagles. While playing as a sophomore, Creer rushed for 1,262 yards on a team that made it to the Regional Championship losing to Gilmer. As a junior, after the graduation of Stephen Hodge, Creer became the lead bird for the State Champion Eagles. Creer ran 253 times for 1,905 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 7.53 YPC that year. As a senior, Creer ran those numbers up even more. He toted the ball 283 times for 2,835 yards and 36 touchdowns, averaging 10.3 yards per carry. Creer went on to Tennessee and received carries, but transferred to Louisiana Tech after his sophomore years. There at Tech, Creer ran for 1900 yards and 19 touchdowns before a brief stint in the NFL.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLSW5-E6Ye8 |
Justin "Bus" Johnson was the key cog in a State Runner up run in 2007 rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2007. As a sophomore, Johnson was a key member of the defense that made a in 2005 for the 10-2 Buckeyes. In 2006, Johnson rushed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns in an 11 game season in which the Buckeyes with G.J. Kinne were an absolute juggernaut on offense. He lands at 24 because of his master class he put on his senior year. Johnson rushed for 2,171 yards (10.69 ypc) and 29 touchdowns in 16 games as the Buckeye fell short at state. Johnson signed with OU but never cracked the lineup. He finished his career with McMurray University.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3_XDxQ-75I
There may not be a better picture to represent a player's style than this one of Jordan Jenkins. Jenkins was a strong, power runner, and for what he lacked in wiggle, made up for it in straight speed and will. As a sophomore, Jenkins splashed on the scene with a big 1,504 yards performance for 17 touchdowns. The 6'1 Jenkins rushed for about 6.93 YPC that season. As a junior, in 11 games, Jenkins rushed for 1,422 yards and had 30 total touchdowns and in sane touchdown production for 11 games. Things all came together for Lindale in 2020. They made it all the way to the State Championship game riding the back of Jordan Jenkins. Jenk toted 310 times for 3,053 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns on the ground. Add 3 more receiving touchdowns for a grand total of 54 touchdowns in one season. For a career, Jenkins rushed for 5,007 yards and 104 rushing touchdowns.
Jeff Wilson flew under the radar at Elkhart throughout his career, but you can't ignore the production. The future North Texas Mean Green member and San Francisco 49er, ran for 2,000 yards twice in his high school career. As a junior, Wilson ran 278 times for 2,329 yards and 27 touchdowns in just 10 games on a 2-8 team. As a senior, Wilson ran 307 times for 2,749 yards and 36 touchdowns in just 11 games, this time going 7-4, making the playoffs for the first time since 2004. At North Texas, Wilson ran for 3,205 yards and 32 touchdowns while having another 570 receiving and 2 more touchdowns. Wilson went undrafted, but has been in the league since 2018. He's rushed for 2,370 yards in his career in reserve roles with the 49ers and the Miami Dolphins.
Jackie Robinson was a bad man. At 6'2 205, Robinson powered through and ran by defenses for 3 years in East Texas. As a sophomore in just 10 games Robinson was the best player on offense and they fed him. Often. He ran 239 times for 1,394 yards and 13 touchdowns. That year started a trend that would grow throughout the years. As a junior in 2004, they gave Jackie the ball even more, and for great reason. The Mavericks made it to the State Championship game in 2004 and Jackie ran the ball 317 times for 1,850 yards and 30 touchdowns. The Mavericks just barely lost to Ennis 23-21. The Mavericks followed the same game plan in 2005, handing Robinson the ball 327 times for 1,972 yards and 20 touchdowns. They made it back to state, this time getting smacked to Highland Park in Tyler 59-0.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntdHOFj2kno |
J'Koby Williams has a top 10 skill set, but classification is definitely going against him, as he balled at Beckville. The Texas Tech Red Raider was the man as soon as he entered the scene his freshman year. Williams in 2020 rushed for 1,000 yards and 18 tds as a freshman. As a sophomore, Williams went for 1,450 yards and 21 touchdowns, 1,664 and 27 as a junior and 1,902 and 32 touchdowns as a senior. Williams lined up all over the place, QB, RB and Receiver. He threw for 1,214 yards and 15 tds in 2023 as a replacement at QB. He caught 524 worth of yards as a sophomore and 718 as a junior. Williams signed with Texas Tech after leaving Beckville and had 236 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns his true freshman season, and is vying for the starting job in 2025.
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Korey Sutton was a key cog in the 2002 State Championship as a junior, but the start of his varsity career started the year before. As a sophomore, Sutton rushed for 983 yards on an 8-3 team, that was upset in their first playoff game. In 2002, Sutton and the Texas High Tigers came back with a vengeance. Korey ran for 2,002 yards and 24 touchdowns for the 14-1 State Champions. The next year Sutton and Marshall brought it back and fell just one round short of state, finishing with a 13-1 record. Sutton didn't have quite as much rushing yards, 1,477 yards, but did he did run for more touchdowns (28). 2002 was a special year, and it wouldn't have been nearly as great for T-High without Korey Sutton.
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I struggle with ranking Tyler because in my mind he's the best. His movement was and always will be other worldly. In his first varsity experience Tyler, in 16 games, ran 217 times for 1,779 yards and 26 touchdowns, with 1 td reception. This is incredible, seeing he wasn't the outright starter until district. High highlights are better than anybody on this list. His jukes were incredible, and while he may not have had the top end speed, TYL was simply impressive. Tyler was hurt in the first quarter of the State Championship against Lake Travis, and he was never the same after that injury. As a senior Tyler toted, 150 times for 1,207 yards and 19 touchdowns. While he was still Tyler, he wasn't quite the same TYL his senior year. If you take Tyler and just his junior year, he's probably number 4 on this list, but with the total career, he slides here to 18.
Derek Farmer was a 2 year starter for the Tyler Lee Red Raiders, who eventually took his talents to College Station after his run in Tyler. In 1999, Farmer went for 1,934 yards and 20 touchdowns in just 12 games. As a senior in 12 games, Farmer went for 1,782 (7.18 YPC) and 22 touchdowns. Farmer left Legacy as the All-time leading rusher, before being eclipsed by Tyrone Ross and Jamarion Miller. He still holds the top 2 seasons in Legacy history for rushing yards in a season.
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Dawson arrived at Baylor was an instant playmaker. As a freshman, Pendergrass rushed for 338 yards and caught 199 more for 7 total tds in his true freshman season. As a sophomore, Pendergrass upped the numbers to 671 rushing yards and 6 tds, and caught 103 more yards with 1 td.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FseyoTaMzE
Tyrone Ross finished his career as the all time leading rusher in Tyler Lee history. He was a 3 year starter, and despite his size was a dog. Standing at maybe 5'6 and weighing 170 pounds, Ross was a tough runner who not only excelled on outside runs, but could take it up the middle as well. In 2002, Ross rushed for 1,072 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore in 14 games. As a junior, with Matt Flynn graduating, Ross became the man. He rushed 179 times for 1,321 and 15 touchdowns in 13 games. As a senior, Ross ran the Raiders to a state championship win rushing 248 times for 1,768 times for 24 touchdowns. For a career, Ross ran for 4,178 yards and 55 touchdowns for the Raiders.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT3Wi0N74fM |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W9Jo82Sptc&t=375s
LaMichael James went on to Oregon to become one of their greatest backs ever, but before he went on to UO, James was running through things here in East Texas. As a junior in 2005, James introduced his self properly. He ran for 1,587 (6.93 ypc) and 19 touchdowns as L.E. went 10-3, winning 10 games in a season for the first time since 1967. That great momentum carried them the next year in 2006. L.E. won the state title after upsetting the greatest Gilmer roster assembled in the first round. LaMichael James was the reason. He ran for 2,043 yards (8.89 ypc) and 23 touchdowns. James Oregon career was as special as they come. In 3 seasons as the Ducks starter, James never rushed for less that 1500 yards: 1,546 and 14 touchdowns as a FR, 1,731 and 21 tds as a SO, and 1,805 and 18 tds as a JR. James won the Doak Award and was a Heisman Finalist as a sophomore and was a Doak finalist as a junior. James was the first Duck to ever make back to back First Team All American teams. James was drafted in the 2nd round by the San Francisco 49ers. In the NFL, James played for 4 seasons and rushed for just 193 yards.
Finally, Dwight Smith has been eclipsed from the top 10. Why such a big deal? Dwight Smith had one season at Carthage, but boy did he look different in that one year. Smith rushed for 2,820 yards and 43 touchdowns in a state championship year, Dwight Smith reportedly ran a 4.3 at a USC camp in 2008 before returning to Carthage. That's extremely fast, but when you add in the 5'10 215 pound frame, it makes it damn near to stop. Dwight was incredible carrying Carthage to state, if he had more than one year he would top this list.
Jamarion Miller was a 4 time letterman, and before he left for Alabama he ended his career as Tyler Legacy's all time leading rusher. What's different for most guys on this list, is that usually their tremendous rushing led to successful teams. Not so much for Miller. Most times his numbers don't look as great as the player he was because of the talent around him. Nonetheless, as a freshman Miller got t a decent start rushing 105 times for 617 yards and 4 touchdowns. Not bad for a freshman running on the 6A level. As a sophomore his role increased to a starter. Miller ran 140 times for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns. The numbers take a leap his junior year, Miller ran 1,406 yards and 16 touchdowns, before his concluding season of 194 carries 1,660 yards and 20 touchdowns. Miller was a great athlete that could catch the ball and run routes as a receiver, as well as matchup at corner with some of the better receivers in Texas. (just not Jalen Hale lol) While the statistics aren't ridiculous and neither the team success, just one look at his film will show that Miller is one of the best. Miller went on to Alabama and has seen flashes of success. As a true freshman Miller rushed for 233 yards and 2 tds, as a sophomore, Miller rushed for 201 yards and a TD, and as a junior, Miller rushed for 668 yards and 7 tds with a 155 yards receiving and a TD.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQenhYKhYz4 |
Baylor Bear, Dawson Pendergrass is one of the few people to play 4 years of varsity football on this list. As a freshman, Pendergrass ran for 969 yards in a backup role for the Yellow Jackets, filling in for an injured Trevion Sneed. As a sophomore, Pendergrass backed up Sneed and watched him go for 3000 yards. In the meantime, all Dawson did was go out and rush for 1,269 in relief duty. As a junior, Pendergrass became the starter and went for 2,004 yards and 26 touchdowns in a 7-5 season. As a senior, Pendergrass did it all for the Yellow Jackets. Though the team went 6-6, Pendergrass lined up all over the place. Between RB, QB and FS on defense too, Pendergrass ran for 3,184 yards and 38 touchdowns on 358 totes. Dawson looked like the 3A Derrick Henry at times with a vicious stiff arm and at 6'3 could easily separate from the defense.
Matthew Tucker was a huge back. Standing at about 6'1 and weighing 220 pounds, Tucker was physically imposing on all of his opponents. He had a tremendous career for the Bulldogs. In 2006, Tucker splashed on the scene with 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore for the 6-5 and Bulldogs. In 2007 as the full starter Tucker went off. In just 11 games, Tucker ran for 2,300 yards and 28 touchdowns on 276 carries. In 2008, the production went up even more on less carries. Tucker ran 271 times for 2,709 yards and 31 touchdowns in again just 11 games. Tucker went on to be a quality player for the TCU Horned Frogs, and even had a stint in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQenhYKhYz4 |
Kedren Young is a specimen. The kid is 195-205 pounds of muscle. He boulders through opponents with the speed to finish a 99 yard touchdown. As a sophomore, Young ran for about 800 yards playing quarterback and running back before being injured for the year. He took that offseason to heart and came back a new man. Kedren ran for 1,666 yards on 237 carries and 19 touchdowns in 2022 in just 10 games for the Pack.
As a senior, Young battled again with Lufkin, going for 1297 yards and 15 touchdowns. Young signed with Notre Dame out of high school and rushed for 116 yards on 21 carries and a td in his true freshman season.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1rAibN34CQ |
Though the order has changed, the Mt. Rushmore of East Texas Backs haven't changed for me. Keaontay is one of three Carthage backs to rush for over 5,000 yards. As a sophomore, in reserve duty we barely got a glimpse of his potential. He rushed for 637 yards and 7 touchdowns on 74 carries. He caught 14 passes for 189 yards to add on another 2 touchdowns. In 2016, Ingram established himself as dominant. With 320 carries, he ran for 2,244 yards and 32 touchdowns. He caught another 47 passes for 492 yards for four touchdowns. His senior year he repeated that 2,000 yard effort on 90 less carries. He ran for 2,327 yards and 37 touchdowns. Add another 284 yards and 2 touchdowns in the air and Ingram is one of the most complete backs to come through East Texas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql6ADvkndqg
The best running back from Longview, Vondrell McGee was a site to see in that number 3 jersey. He could do it all, run in between the tackles, run outside the tackles, run out of the shotgun, McGee was a thrill. He had exceptional balance and he was a pain to tackle. As a junior, in just 13 games McGee rushed for 2,039 yards and 27 touchdowns, setting the school record. His senior year, McGee rushed 163 times for 1,361 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games. Vondrell broke tackles in every way possible, and had the speed to blaze you away from 90 plus. In 2005, Longview was upset by South Garland, an upset the magnitude of Gilmer losing to L.E. in 2006. It was a disappointing end to a year that had much promise. Had McGee and company fulfilled their potential he could've seen his way to the top of the list. McGee went on to UT and rushed for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns during his time in Austin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7d93NozUV0
The 6' 265 pound running back was folk lore, myth, legend, and then it was real. Lane was insane. Through his career he rushed for 3,671 yards and 70 touchdowns. He also had 82 catches for 1,060 yards. Seeing his weight you'd think he was a straight plower, but Lane had the agility of a man 100 pounds less his size. He could move left and right, drop his hat and run you over, and coast his way for 6. He was really first of his kind; Lane slid over and played quarterback at times. A true legend. As a sophomore, Lane produced 427 yards and 7 touchdowns in a reserve role, for a team that made it to the 5th round led by Terrance Parks. As a junior, in 11 gamess, Lane rushed for 1,300 yards and 22 touchdowns while also catching the ball 44 times for 730 yards as well. As a senior, Lane got the Pack back to a deep playoff run, as he was Mr. Everything to the offense. Lane rushed 281 times for 1,944 yards and 41 touchdowns. Lane went on to play tailback and fullback at Texas A&M before stints with Miami and Tampa Bay as their fullback in the NFL. At Texas A&M, Lane rushed for 2,193 yards and 43 touchdowns in his career for the Aggies.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWiuB51AP6Q&t=14s |
There ain't a question about who the number one running back is. Adrian Peterson in his two years of varsity football (sophomore year ruled ineligible) ran for 4,366 yards for his career on 505 carries. Peterson didn't show the ability to catch the ball in high school, (Oklahoma either hell) but he didn't need too. The level of competition is the only reason to doubt Peterson's status as a high schooler, but what AP did with Oklahoma and the Vikings proved everything you needed to know about his skill set. As a junior, AP toted it 246 times for 2,051 yards and 27 touchdowns in 10 games for the 2-8 Palestine team. As a senior, Palestine won a whopping 9 games, as the team made the playoffs for the first time since 1994. Peterson, of course was the work horse. AP ran 259 times for 2,315 yards and 32 touchdowns. Peterson rushed for 4,041 yards and 41 tds in college with 1,925 of those yards and 15 of those TDS coming his freshman season where he finished 2nd in the Heisman standings. Peterson was drafted 4th overall by the Minnesota Vikings and had a Hall of Fame career. Peterson played 15 years in the league and rushed for 14,918 yards and 120 touchdowns in the NFL. His best year came in 2012, fresh off ACL injury to rushing for 2,091 yards and 12 touchdowns.
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