Who are the best Dayton-area running backs in recent seasons?

Trotwood RB Ra’veion Hargrove. Trotwood-Madison defeated Troy 48-0 in a Week 1 high school football game on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

Trotwood RB Ra’veion Hargrove. Trotwood-Madison defeated Troy 48-0 in a Week 1 high school football game on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF
Local News
By Marc Pendleton
Oct 26, 2017
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Entering the final regular-season weekend for high school football, the Dayton area has already seen another set of exciting running backs, as in recent years.

Here’s a look at some of the best the Dayton area has seen in the past few seasons:

2017

Valley View’s Lane Murphy tries to tackle Franklin’s Ryan Montgomery as he carries the ball during their game Friday, Sept. 23 at Veterans Memorial Field at Atrium Stadium in Franklin. The Wildcats defeated the Spartans 41-8. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

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• Isaiah Bowser, Sidney. Has rushed for 2,213 yards in helping resurgent Sidney to an 8-1 start to the season. His 24 touchdowns give him 63 so far in his high school career.

• Colin Genslinger, Valley View. Averages 10.7 yards per carry in helping Valley View go 9-0.

• Ra'veion Hargrove, Trotwood-Madison. Has rushed for 1,467 yards through nine games a season after gaining 1,562 yards with 21 touchdowns as a junior. His numbers were huge during his sophomore season: 3,039 yards and 39 touchdowns.

• Ryan Montgomery, Franklin. Has scored 13 times while averaging 123.3 yards per game, including a 176-yard, 4-score effort in the opener against Carlisle.

• Bailey Wallen, Brookville. Has rushed for 1,885 yards and 26 touchdowns, including consecutive 300-yard games against Oakwood (334) and Milton-Union (354).

2016

Springfield’s Danny Davis runs for a 61-yard touchdown against Dublin Coffman on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, at Edwards-Maurer Field in Springfield. David Jablonski/Staff

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• Josh Browder, Troy. Scored 19 times while averaging 7.7 yards per carry (1,467 yards total), including four games of 170 rushing yards or more.

• Danny Davis, Springfield. Gained nearly half as many yards receiving (559) as rushing (1,195) while combining for 13 touchdowns.

2015

Tippecanoe High School's Jakob Prall heads to the end zone while defended by Kenton Ridge High School's Christian Smith Friday night in Tipp City. LISA POWELL / STAFF

Credit: Lisa Powell

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Credit: Lisa Powell

• Luke Dillahunt, Troy Christian. Was the state's Division VII state offensive player of the year in 2014 before returning for his senior season, another first-team All-State performance.

• Jakob Prall, Tippecanoe. Rushed for 1,155 yards and 15 touchdowns while also catching 16 passes for 262 yards.

2014

Kenton Ridge’s Jayden Davis tries to avoid a tackle by Tipp’s Zach Salyer as he carries the ball during a Division II playoff game last season. Bill Lackey/Staff

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• Aeryton Erwin, Mechanicsburg. Rushed for 1,620 yards and 27 touchdowns, including at least 130 yards in six games.

• Jayden Davis, Kenton Ridge. After a hot start to the season, rushed for 1,226 yards and 16 scores, while also catching 14 passes for 284 yards.

2013

Tippecanoe’s Jacob Hall runs for one of his five touchdowns at Kenton Ridge on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. David Jablonski/Staff

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• Jacob Hall, Tippecanoe. Broke 2,000 yards with 2,021 in 13 games while scoring 33 touchdowns. Rushed for at least 100 yards in all games, with a high of 215.

• Jalen Nelson, Spg. Shawnee. Averaged 9.1 yards per carry for the season, with 1,484 yards and 17 touchdowns. That included a 308-yard, five-touchdown game against Bellefontaine.

• A.J. Ouellette, Covington. Set a school rushing record with 2,535 yards during his senior season.

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About the Author

Marc Pendleton