Was thinking the other day about who the best 5 running backs have been in 1A since the redistrcting (2013 I think). When I was debating it I constantly thought of the Galax running backs, in which a case could be made for any of the previous 4 (all 3000 yard rushers I think). But I only ended up putting one on the list. Just curious as to who y'all would put on the list.
Top 5 running backs
- Thread starter SWVAFballFan
- Start date
bpsdrefromva
VaPreps Honorable Mention
Ryheem Dawson and I agree, he should be on the list. Talk about somebody trying to bring him down sheesh. And he was one heck of a shot and discus thrower as well!
If I had to do a top 5. I'm not sure anybody would have the exact same top 5
1. Steven Peoples - Galax
2. Ryheem Dawson - Parry McCluer
3. Jeremy Nelson - PM/Auburn
4. Joseph Dixon- Galax
5. Brady Justice - Hurley
1. Steven Peoples - Galax
2. Ryheem Dawson - Parry McCluer
3. Jeremy Nelson - PM/Auburn
4. Joseph Dixon- Galax
5. Brady Justice - Hurley
Hamm was a phenom, but you guys were 2A when he was there, right? I don't recall.
For some reason, I'm thinking the first year Fort was in 1A was Thomas's Sr year/Ward's Jr year. I could absolutely be wrong tho. If I am, Hamm is definitely in the conversation.
In no particular order, those first three would definitely be in for me, also. I'd have to include Dakota Humphrey as well...No idea who would round out the 5, though. I'd have to give it some thought.
Can we just count Thornhill even though he was a QB? lol
LOL Well, he was THAT kinda good, but I was only joking.
And no, it's not an easy thing to do a top 5. It's difficult for me to settle on 5, much less rank them. I do think Peoples tops the list, however.
I've seen a few but at the top I would have to put Ryheem Dawson from Parry McCluer. A rare mixture of size, speed, vision.
Oh okay. Maybe it's just because I remember him from the state game. Knew he was at Tech now
I agree with everyone except
i would argue the Nelson was possibly not the best back on the team if I just look at the stats from this season. I would replace him with a Dallas Ward or someone like Jeffrey Bowen who was unstoppoable for Haysi a couple years ago.
I think Dawson went to a prep school somewhere down south I can't remember where then at Frostburg St
UVA-Wise unsure if he is still there. I've seen him play, he is a TRUE man. If I'm taking one overal person from the past 3 years to play O and D, excluding Thornhill, I would take Bowen. And for the record I witnessed Bowen WWE style body slam Thornhill in a playoff game.
I wouldn't doubt it haysi was crazy good those 2years when they played altavista and Essex in the semis
Hard to leave off a kid who is #2 on the VHSL career rushing list. I think the carries this year were more split because of the offense they ran. But saw Ward and Bowen both when they played Essex and both were really good. Bowen was tough as nails and would punish you
Anyone remember the kid from West Point a few years ago, Aaron Roane? He was a damn good back. If Nelson would have stayed he would have over 8,000 yards but from what I've heard he loved every minute at PM.
Certainly no arguement that he dosent deserve to be mentioned but let me say this if him, Bowen, and Ward (possibly) trey skeens who was amazing before being hurt were all in the PM offense. It would make you wonder who would shine the most.
KJ Cook of PM was the best player I have seen play this year. I don't know how many yards he had this year or last, but this kid is a beast on O and D.
I'd have to agree even at GW he appeared to be the best player on the field either side of the ball but was just going against a better team, this kid was special and if it had not been for being overshadowed by Ryheem he would get the exposure he deserves. BTW expect younger Dawson to take over next year, I wouldn't be surprised if he wouldn't be a consideration for this list after he graduates.
Cook is STUUUD!!! There is no question in anyone's mind, was his backfield counterparts this year as was Ryheem several years ago, as is ALL of these kids that have been mentioned and most likely some that have not.. These kids all run hard, are physical as all get out and are absolutely without a doubt worthy of all the recognition they receive. However, even though these guys are "playmakers", and sometimes they do create their own holes and make special things happen with raw talent and ability, please, let's not forget that 95% of what these kids have accomplish(ed) is due largely in part to the fact that they have some pretty AWESOME kids in front of them opening those running lanes and taking a beating in "the trenches" doing their part to help make these "Bruisers" as successful as they are/were. I completely understand that this thread is about the top running backs, I just don't think it's fair to leave out the "plows", "steamrollers", and "pancake makers".. I hope I didn't step on anyone's toes and if so, then I apologize... Good Luck to everyone playing tomorrow and prayers for safe travels and injury free games to all..
Very good points made. No doubt the line is more than half the battle. KJ and Ryheem were one of about 3-4 backs that didn't need a hole that I've seen in high school football.
Yeah I don't know how anyone could pick five guys and say they were the best, you have to go with the stats. To many of them, maybe a list of ten, no particular order. I like the "Best O line from 2013 to 16'" this would like something like 1 Galax 2 PM 3 Essex.. All the Galax backs went over 3000 yards that is hard to do. Not sure how many Peoples had this year. I have a tuff time finding the high school indiv. season stats, does anyone know of a site that has the stats?
Hard to go by just stats sometimes too. I've seen some backs get 35-40 carries a game. Last year Malik Martin who was as dynamic as anyone in 1A never carried the ball more than 21 times in a game. Most games were around 10-12 carries as Essex mixed up the carries yet he had 1700 yards or so and averaged around 11 yards a carry. I could only imagine if he had the carries of some. Yet he was only 160 lbs so not as big as most of the backs either although he played a lot bigger than his size. All the backs listed are great though and honestly no 2 people would probably have the same top 5 in the same order
I'm a Galax man so yeah I'm going to have Steven Peoples, Joseph Dixon and Charles Harris on my list. But their is a bunch of good backs I never got to see in person so it would be hard for me to make a top 5 list. I know the Bowen kid from Haysi was a hell of a ball player and the Dawson kid from PM was awesome. To many good backs to try and list cause I would leave several out that needs mentioning. As for Peoples this year he had over 2500 yards and their was a lot of nights he didn't get but 10-15 carries. All that being said without a good line alot of these guys don't have the numbers they put up so the lines they were behind deserves alot of credit also.
1. S. Peoples Galax
2. R. Dawson PM
3. J. Dixon Galax
4. Humphrey PH
5. J. Bowen Haysi
6. C.Harris Galax
7. B. Justice Hurley
8. K. Cook PM
9. Martin Essex
10. Nelson PM
T. Skeens, , and a half dozen more maybe could make the bottom half
2. R. Dawson PM
3. J. Dixon Galax
4. Humphrey PH
5. J. Bowen Haysi
6. C.Harris Galax
7. B. Justice Hurley
8. K. Cook PM
9. Martin Essex
10. Nelson PM
T. Skeens, , and a half dozen more maybe could make the bottom half
I'm a blues fan but Ryheem was at a different level. Cook was tough but not even close to Ryheem.
