Antelope running back breaks loose for 333 yards in narrow win over Woodcreek
No. 12-ranked Antelope High School improved to 7-0 Friday night as the Titans defeated No. 13 Woodcreek on the heels of yet another impressive night by running back Curron Borders.
Despite not scoring in the second half, the Titans were able to seal the deal in a crucial Capital Valley Conference game with a 28-21 victory in Roseville; they’re now stand as the league’s lone unbeaten team.
The Timberwolves are the toughest team the Titans have played this season. They possess an efficient run game as well as a stout defense. However, Antelope shares those same qualities. The difference? The Titans have a gifted junior running back who continued his remarkable season. The 5-foot-7, 185-pounder carried 40 times for 333 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran in a two-point conversion for good measure. Every yard and every point mattered.
“He’s special,” Antelope coach Mike Byerly said.
Looking at Borders as he took the field, it was clear he carried swagger and confidence. He came in averaging more than 220 yards a game. Woodcreek knew he was coming and he still delivered. Borders had 198 yards at the half on 22 carries, including a 69-yard score. He went for 83 yards and a score in the first quarter.
For the season, Borders has a Sac-Joaquin Section-leading 1,680 yards and 25 touchdowns. Not bad for a guy who is still learning the position. Borders began his prep football career in the trenches, playing right guard. His coaches believed the offensive line is where he would fit best due to his strength and stature. Borders saw things differently.
Borders moved to backup running back behind senior De’Magea Hogan in a shortened spring season. With Hogan graduating, the opportunity for Borders to seize his moment arrived. At his size, Borders is reminiscent of De La Salle legend Maurice Jones-Drew, who played running back in the NFL for nine seasons. Borders runs with power and aggression. In football, the lower man often wins the battle. At his height, Borders has such a low center of gravity that he is almost always the lower man.
But don’t let his height fool you. Borders runs over defenders. Once he gets moving, he becomes a bull in a china shop. Borders said he enjoys watching Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb and aspires to play like him.
Borders has a good sense of awareness and can read the movements of his offensive line. His past experience playing on the line contributed to this, but he said it really comes from the trust and bond he shares with his linemen.
“That’s my family,” Borders said. ”The whole team is a family, but I’ve definitely bonded with the linemen. We go hard for each other.”
“I’ve coached D-1 athletes and even some that went on to play in the NFL,” Byerly said. “I can’t think of anyone that works harder than Borders in my career. Not just in the weight room, but in the classroom.”
Borders’ success was born in the offseason. Football is hard on a player’s body. As the Titans’ workhorse, Borders trained regularly to be this efficient. He also has leadership qualities.
“He always knows the right thing to say,” Byerly said. “He is willing to do anything to help his team. He just wants us to be successful.”
For Woodcreek (6-2), Amari Taylor opened the game with a kickoff return for a touchdown, Joshua Polley had a 50-yard touchdown run, and Garrett Krupp hit Nicolai Nielsen for a 15-yard scoring play.
Antelope visits Inderkum on Friday in another big CVC game. Woodcreek, which lost last week in the final seconds to Inderkum, plays River Valley.