Arizona’s top high school football players: Meet the state’s best running backs
We’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Arizona high school football. This list focuses on the running backs.
There are hundreds of standout football players in Arizona and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Let us know about any other running backs you think should be added.
Note: All statistics and information through Oct. 4
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Khameron Athy, sr., Central
Athy is a physical runner who showcases his elite burst and quickness while running between the tackles. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound senior has rushed for 907 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
Jordan Blake, sr., Skyline
Blake ran for 1,572 yards and 21 touchdowns a season ago and is on track to surpass both marks as a senior. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound back has rushed for 1,073 yards and 18 touchdowns through the first six games of this season.
Michael Casillas, sr., Morenci
A star tailback for perennial Class 2A power Morenci, Casillas was the classification’s player of the year as a junior. He has 4,938 career rushing yards for the Wildcats.
Christian Clark, sr., Mountain Pointe
A 247Sports composite four-star prospect, Clark will play college football in the SEC for Texas. He is a physical runner at 6-foot and 205 pounds.
Jantzen Ginger, sr., Youngker
Ginger rumbled for 277 yards and four touchdowns in a recent victory over Peoria. The senior has 838 rushing yards and 11 TDs this season.
Daxen Hall, sr., Higley
Hall is an offensive weapon who sees time at running back and slot receiver for Higley. The explosive runner has rushed for 840 yards and nine touchdowns this season while adding 13 receptions for 206 yards and four TDs.
Dylan Hayhurst, jr., Goldwater
Hayhurst has topped the 100-yard mark in five of his six starts this season. The 5-foot-7, 180-pound junior has found the end zone nine times while running for 741 yards.
Dylan Lee, sr., Williams Field
Lee ran for an Arizona Class 6A single-game record 518 yards during his junior season for Williams Field. The three-star Iowa State commit has already scored nine touchdowns this season.
Kayden Luke, sr., Canyon del Oro
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Luke is a load to bring down for Class 4A Canyon del Oro. Luke went over 2,000 career rushing yards earlier this season and has 851 yards and 11 TDs as a senior.
Jaedon Matthews, sr., Saguaro
Matthews is a home run hitter who can also pick up yards between the tackles. The three-star prospect will play college football in the ACC for Georgia Tech. He has scored eight touchdowns this season for Saguaro.
Markhi Mckinnon, sr., Desert Edge
Mckinnon, a three-star recruit, led Class 5A in rushing as a junior while playing for Goldwater, compiling 1,874 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. Now at Desert Edge, the Idaho commit runs with speed and power.
Adam Mohammed, sr., Apollo
Mohammed has 68 rushing touchdowns — including 30 last season en route to Class 5A offensive player of the year honors — during his Apollo career. The three-star back is committed to Arizona.
Jayden Plotkin, jr., River Valley
The state’s leading rusher, Plotkin has run for 1,161 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior for Class 3A River Valley. He is averaging a staggering 10.7 yards per carry.
Gabriel Ricketts, sr., Bradshaw Mountain
The engine of Bradshaw Mountain’s offense, Rickets ran for 1,554 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns during his junior season. He has already found the end zone six times in four games as a senior.
Isaiah Savoie, sr., Red Mountain
A two-time all-state honoree, Savoie led Class 4A in rushing a season ago with 1,675 yards and 24 touchdowns while playing for Apache Junction. Now at Red Mountain, Savoie got his first action of the season in Week 6 against Highland.
Junior St. Cyr, sr., Mesa
St. Cyr runs with plenty of physicality behind his 5-foot-11, 220-pound frame. He has carried it 140 times for 836 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
Zach Thompson, jr., Gilbert
Thompson is a workhorse back who is averaging nearly 100 yards per game on the ground this season with seven touchdowns. He is a three-star recruit with offers from Louisville, Oregon and Washington.
Ca’Lil Valentine, sr., Chandler
Valentine has rushed for 12 touchdowns through six games this season. A 247Sports composite four-star prospect, Valentine committed to Illinois over the summer.
Sam Webb, jr., Gilbert Christian
Webb ran for 1,988 yards and 20 touchdowns during his sophomore season for Gilbert Christian. He hasn’t been as prolific this year but is still averaging 114 yards per game on the ground with six TDs.
Jadon Wetzel, sr., Flagstaff
Wetzel has run for 795 yards and six touchdowns this season, surpassing the 100-yard mark in five of his six games. He has also been a factor in the passing game, catching 10 balls for 87 yards.
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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports
