Carrying the Load

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When it comes to discussing star players, the conversation inevitably turns to one position. He has the speed to escape tacklers, the agility to evade them, and the strength to put them on the ground. He carries the ball consistantly throughout the night, taking, and giving out, punishment on nearly every single down. Both his toughness and mental alertness is tested at every snap; he collides, he sprints, he grinds, he scores, and he is tackled. Any game with a talented runningback in it instantly sucks us into feelings of envy and admiration; he is the pure athlete.

Mid-Michigan is full of these workhorses. Every team, of course, feels that their back is a thorough-bred; who, though, is really the best runningback in the area?

The question is not easily answered, but there is no shortage of choices.

Saginaw Heritage’s DeShawn Hayes is one of the frontrunners for the title. The defending Saginaw Valley League MVP is now in his senior year and possesses all of the qualities you could ask for in a back. He has great strength, and nobody could ever question his speed; as a junior, he was the county champion in the 100 and 200 meter dashes, and also took third in the state in the 100. He is dominating on the gridiron again this season; he’s already accumulated 270 yards after two games.

Just as feared is Mark Ingram, a recent transfer from Grand Blanc to Flint Southwestern Academy. The son of former New York Giants wide receiver Mark Ingram has been extremely impressive in his debut with the Knights. In week 1 against Midland Dow, he exploded for 319 yards and 4 touchdowns; obviously, a change of scenery didn’t hurt him one bit. Rivals.com has him listed as a three-star recruit who is deciding between Cincinnati, Iowa, Florida, Michigan State, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Washington.

The runningback discussion doesn’t end there; while they are the two most well-known backs in Mid-Michigan, there is plenty more talent to be seen.

Richard Kirksey, a junior from Davison, will no doubt make a mark of his own in the years to come. As a sophomore starter on last season’s 12-1 squad, Kirksey gained 842 yards on the ground to go with 15 touchdowns. These numbers will likely rise dramatically as the young back gains experience.

Saginaw Arthur Hill’s Jerrell Wilson has made a name for himself early in the ‘07 campaign. Last week against Flint Northern, he piled up 245 yards and five touchdowns. Don’t assume he is just a one game wonder, though; in week 1 against the tough Heritage Hawks, he was able to put up 138 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is part of the reason that the SVL will have to watch out for the Lumberjacks this season.

However, don’t think all the backfield talent is in the class A schools. Plenty of smaller squads are riding their workhorse backs on their journey to the state play-offs; just ask Unionville-Sebawaing. The surging Patriots are hoping that senior Lance VanHoost will take them back to Ford Field. After all, he was their 1st team all-conference starter two years ago when USA took home the state runners-up trophy.

Andrew Copus and Kyle O’Boyle know a bit about running the ball; the returning all-conference athletes are part of the many-headed monster that is the Bullock Creek backfield. They also know about Alma bruiser Kraig Williams, who rumbled his way for 164 yards and 3 touchdowns on only 7 carries against the Lancers last week.

There are many talented runningbacks in Mid-Michigan, and I have only scratched the surface. Who have I missed? Let me know by leaving a comment and have your voice heard!