Prep football: Twenty of the Sacramento area’s fastest, strongest, best running backs
There is an old battle cry in football, right on down to the high school ranks, when starting a game and a season: Establish a running game.
Even in the wide-open high school era of airing it out, one must have a running game to compete. The Sacramento-area has a host of standout runners returning this season, varsity starters a year ago looking to roll on.
Based on yardage, the area’s top returning rusher is Carter Jackson, who happens to be the fastest guy around in cleats. He went for 1,568 yards and 22 touchdowns last season as a sophomore for a Granite Bay team that reached the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II finals.
Michael Cherry raced and rumbled for 1,460 yards and 18 touchdowns for Rosemont last season and is poised to go after the 2,000-yard barrier. The area graduated five stellar backs in Arthur Draeger of Liberty Ranch (1,906 yards, 30 touchdowns), Ryan Henning of Lincoln (1,905 yards, 29 TDs), Jack Carner of Pioneer (1,671 yards, 23 TDs), Curron Borders of Antelope (1,368 yards, 19 TDs) and Kainoa Acia of Del Oro (1,343 yards, 12 TDs), but the next wave is coming.
Bradshaw Christian has always emphasized the ground game and did so in 2022 with sophomores Mateo Mojica (1,327 yards, 13 TDs), Brandon Burden (1,131 yards, 18 TDs), Nathan Zeppieri (714 yards, eight TDs) and steady quarterback Ethan Rickert (408 yards, eight TDs). As a team, Bradshaw Christian rushed for nearly 4,000 yards and 45 touchdowns. All of those returning backs are a year older and wiser now.
A closer look at the top 20 returning varsity backs:
Kosta Alexsic, Placer, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Has rushed for 1,421 varsity yards in two seasons with 18 TDs and also plays defense for the storied Hillmen.
Hakeem Anderson, Woodcreek, 5-9, 195, Sr.: In the option, it’s anyone’s guess who will get the ball. Here’s a safe guess: Anderson, who went for 766 yards and seven scores in 2022.
Brandon Burden, Bradshaw Christian, 5-11, 185, Jr.: The beast of Burden (in our best Rolling Stones voice) last season rushed for 1,131 yards and 18 scores, averaging 9.9 yards a carry for a playoff team.
Ezekiel Castex, Christian Brothers, 5-11, 175, Jr.: Castex had his breakthrough in 2022 with a 184-yard effort against Rio Americano and expects plenty of work to balance the passing game of a team that expects a return trip to the section finals.
Michael Cherry, Rosemont, 5-11, 185, Sr.: Quick and determined, the Cherry on top has rushed for 3,055 career yards over two varsity seasons with 35 TDs. He also plays on defense and special teams.
Nathan Crawford, Twelve Bridges, 5-10, 170, Sr.: In the midst of setting scores of school rushing records, the elusive Crawford went for 1,317 yards and 21 scores for the new-school program with visions of a 2,000-yard campaign.
Cristian Diosado, Vacaville, 5-8, 190, Sr.: He scooted for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns for run-heavy Bulldogs, an annual playoff team.
Isaiah Ene, Granite Bay, 5-9, 190, So.: A powerhouse runner and blocker who chugged for 764 yards and 13 scores in 2022, Ene also plays the role on defense for a Grizzlies team that reached the Division II section finals.
Gio Jimenez, Winters, 5-8, 165, Jr.: In his first varsity campaign, Jimenez rushed for 1,104 yards and 13 scores, eclipsing 100 yards in seven games for the storied Warriors.
Devin Green, Grant, 5-11, 205, Sr.: The UNLV commit rushed for 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns in two varsity seasons at Sheldon and will boost a loaded Grant roster, but he will sit at least 30 days per CIF transfer rules.
Noah Hinkle, Woodland Christian, 5-10, 185, So.: Hinkle comes from quite a football family, and now he’s a focal point after rushing for 537 yards and four scores for a playoff team.
Carter Jackson, Granite Bay, 5-11, 170, Jr.: A Cal-bound blur, Action Jackson rushed for 1,568 yards and reached the end zone 22 times. There isn’t a faster back in this region.
Baylor Kelley, Placer, 5-11, 170, Jr.: He rushed for 1,140 yards and 16 touchdowns in the Hillmen’s vaunted wing-T attack, averaging 8.6 yards a crack with five 100-yard games.
Mateo Mojica, Bradshaw Christian, 5-7 200, Jr.: Tough, low to the ground and able to break free, the Mateo Machine has gone for 1,996 varsity yards and 17 scores the last two seasons.
Wayshawn Parker, Grant, 5-10, 185, Sr.: In addition to knocking guys backward as a linebacker, Parker can really run, too, including going for 807 yards and 11 scores at Elk Grove last season.
Lamar Radcliffe, Sacramento, 6-2, 220, Sr.: The area’s top senior star at any position, the powerhouse headed to the Utah Utes rushed for 2,109 yards and 23 scores in 2021 and missed 2022 season (knee).
Izaya Rubio, Delta, 5-9, 190, Sr.: The heart and soul of the gritty Saints, Rubio does it all as an every-down player, including rushing for 886 yards and 11 TDs for a playoff team.
Malakai Taione, Capital Christian, 5-11, 190, Jr.: He came on strong just as the Cougars did last season in their march to a section final, rushing for 1,263 yards and 13 scores.
Jayden Tinker, Union Mine, 5-11, 180, Sr.: Tinker and his team will compete in the spirit of Sean Tow, the school’s greatest running back and later a beloved program coach who died in June from cancer. Tinker went for 788 yards and eight scores in 2022.
Covon Wheeler, Highlands, 5-11, 190, Sr.: Wheeler has wheels. He has gone for 1,318 yards and 12 TDs in two seasons and could top those totals this season.
▪ Who’d we miss? Send info on running backs of note to jdavidson@sacbee.com. The Bee will run more lists of top quarterbacks, runners, receivers, tight ends, linemen and stoppers. Consider a subscription to follow all the action and insights.
This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 5:00 AM.