Who are the top running backs in KY in 2019?

This is a position group that lost some great, accomplished backs to graduation a few weeks ago - Wan'Dale, McGinness, Bass, and Jackson, just to name a few. There are openings for the next wave of talented ball carriers to step in and fill those voids.

For starters...

Nick Mitchell (Sr., Glasgow)

2018 - 2,071 yards/30 TDs/7.1 ypc

Junior SzN - Nick Mitchell highlights - Hudl

Jeriah Hightower (Sr., Madisonville-North Hopkins)

2018 - 1,769/23 TDs/7.0 ypc

Jeriah Hightower 2

A special mention goes to Belfry's entire backfield. Isaac Dixon and Ben Bentley combined for over 2,200 yards and 28 TDs on limited touches. Together, they averaged over 13 ypc. If Peyton Hensley returns healthy this year, you're looking at perhaps the deepest backfield in the state.

Dixon and Bentley are lethal together. They also had about 500 receiving yards.

They had 2777 yards on only 184 touches, that is an average of 15.1 yards each time they touched the ball! They also averaged a TD approximately every 5 touches! :eek:

That doesn't even factor in the kick return and defensive TD's they added. Between the two of them that is an additional 5 more TD's including a 100-yard Pick 6 to seal the win by Dixon against LexCath in the playoffs.

Dixon and Bentley are lethal together. They also had about 500 receiving yards.

 

They had 2777 yards on only 184 touches, that is an average of 15.1 yards each time they touched the ball! They also averaged a TD approximately every 5 touches! :eek:

 

That doesn't even factor in the kick return and defensive TD's they added. Between the two of them that is an additional 5 more TD's including a 100-yard Pick 6 to seal the win by Dixon against LexCath in the playoffs.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Bentley hobbled by a lower body injury throughout last season? If Belfry's backfield can catch a break health wise, they'll be very hard to slow down, let alone stop.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Bentley hobbled by a lower body injury throughout last season? If Belfry's backfield can catch a break health wise, they'll be very hard to slow down, let alone stop.

He hurt his ankle against LexCath but played through it and then played hurt against Boyle County where he was far from himself. Dixon also got hurt and played the 2nd Half against Boyle.

Not sure Belfry would have beat Boyle at 100%, but having both of those guys at their best it could have made for an electric 2nd Half.

The big question for Belfry is going to be up front. The Pirates return one of the best High School linemen in the State in Wolford, but have some massive shoes to fill figuratively and literally along the OL.

With Coleman moving to QB, and if Hensley can return after missing essentially all of last year with an injury, they sure have the talent to be a scary backfield though. Dixon may be the best player in KY that noone knows about.

Treyveon Longmire sophomore Corbin is going to be special.

Peyton Smith of Walton Verona was just selected to play in the Blue Grey All American Bowl January 13 at Mercedes Benz stadium home of the Atlanta Falcons. He competed against 6,750 kids to earn his spot as the running back for the grey team. Peyton had over 1000 all purpose yards last year as a junior, 15 TDs, 800 rushing yards on 120 carries. He is an explosive runner with phenomenal vision. Hands are elite and will go up for a ball with anyone. Expect to hear good things from this one. He also has a few offers with 1 full ride.

All those choices are awesome. Some great talent for sure.

But i have to put a couple in the mix.

Josh Wheaton - Montgomery County - #48. After this year he should have every school record for rushing and scoring.

And a former player for Montgomery County C.A. Collins from Anderson County.

that kid is faster than Grease Lighting.

Pittman could have a breakout year at Ashland this season. He should get more touches this season, we'll just have to see if he can keep his ypc relative to what it was his soph season.

Name to watch: Bardstown Tiger sophomore LaDarion Montgomery. Good size and power, pretty good vision, breakaway speed once he's broken the line. He ran for about 750 yards last year as a freshmen, splitting time with other players. Will benefit from some experienced wide receivers and passing game that will open up the run.

Pittman could have a breakout year at Ashland this season. He should get more touches this season, we'll just have to see if he can keep his ypc relative to what it was his soph season.

He's got big time potential. I don't see him on a weekly basis, but he appears to be every bit as gifted as Quinton Baker. When he sees daylight, you hold your breath.

All those choices are awesome. Some great talent for sure.

But i have to put a couple in the mix.

Josh Wheaton - Montgomery County - #48. After this year he should have every school record for rushing and scoring.

And a former player for Montgomery County C.A. Collins from Anderson County.

that kid is faster than Grease Lighting.

He runs with a lot of authority. Might get a chance to see him this year when Montgomery comes to Russell.

Might want to keep an eye out for Sloan at Wayne County. Lost quite a bit in our line last year but this young man is special.

Watch Martin at South Oldham. His stats above aren't even his best season. He had 1,558 yards as a freshman, plus 19 touchdowns - despite only starting about half the games. For his career, he's sitting at 4,325 yards rushing and 55 touchdowns. Numbers could be quite gaudy for his career by the time he finishes this, his senior season. (his numbers are even more impressive when you remember that South employs a Wing-T look, and the two wings will split the available carries with Martin) Fun back to watch.

Malachi Yulee from Mercer County is one to keep an eye on. He ran for over 1,000 yards as a junior. He already has a 200+ yard game this year and averaging close to 9 yards per carry.

Austin Oppel (JR) Meade Co.

2 games played:

44 carries 454 yards 8 Td's (Averaging 227 yards per game)

6 receptions 78 yards

He's put those stats up vs a really good Franklin-Simpson and an athletic 6A team, PRP.