Tulare County high school football fans saw two special running backs last season.
During their senior seasons in 2023, Central Valley Christian star Bryson Donelson and record-setting Orosi running back Andrew Camarillo turned in memorable performances.
Donelson rushed for nearly 3,300 yards and scored 58 total touchdowns to lead the Cavaliers to the 2023 Central Section Division II championship and the CIF State Division 2-A crown.
Camarillo finished his career with 6,540 yards rushing and found the end zone 96 times during his four years as a starter.
Donelson is now at Fresno State. Camarillo committed in April to play for George Fox University — an NCAA Division III program in Oregon.
Who will carry the torch as Tulare County's top runners this season ?
Here are 13 running backs to watch in 2024:
Aeris Acoba, Porterville
Acoba emerged as the Panthers leading rusher during his breakout sophomore campaign, running for a team-high 411 yards and four touchdowns. He had one of his best games in a non-league showdown against Highland, bolting for a career-high 105 yards on just 11 carries in a 48-0 rout.
Case Anders, Golden West
Anders' season was cut short in 2023 due to an injury but he was the focal point of the Trailblazers' offense as a junior. He finished first on the team last season with 467 yards rushing and also had 32 receptions for 284 yards and two touchdowns. He was an All-East Yosemite League second-team pick in 2023.
Ty Baxter, Monache
Baxter is the reigning EYL Most Valuable Player and is one of the top all-around players in Tulare County this season. He led the Monarchs in rushing and receiving last year, running for 723 yards and 10 touchdowns and also added 13 catches for 270 yards and two more scores. Baxter is also one of Tulare County's premier three-sport athletes.
Jimmie Burk, Redwood
Burk burst onto the scene after beginning his sophomore season as a reserve, finishing his first varsity year as the Rangers' starting running back. He led Redwood last season with 654 yards rushing and five touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per tote to earn All-EYL first-team recognition.
More: Tulare County Football: Check out the top 7 Quarterbacks to watch in 2024, plus a few extra
Niqo Calderon, Exeter
Calderon returns as Exeter's leading rusher, a year after erupting for 799 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. An every-down back, he also caught 44 passes for 479 yards receiving and nine touchdowns to earn 2023 All-Tri-County Conference first-team honors.
Jose Cortes, Lindsay
Cortes returns as the starter after rushing for a team-high 372 yards and four touchdowns in just six games. A 1,000-yard career rusher, he is entering his senior year with an average of nearly five yards per carry in a Cardinals uniform.
Jason De La Cruz, Orosi
Known for its high-powered rushing attack, Orosi will hand over the feature back duties to Jason De La Cruz — a speedy back who averaged 8.3 yards per carry during his breakout sophomore season. The Cardinals have had a 2,000-yard rusher in back-to-back seasons. Is De La Cruz next?
Matthew Guido, Dinuba
Guido will step into a power-back role after finishing fourth on the team last season with 221 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He averaged 8.5 yards per carry during his junior year and will likely see his carries increase from 26 attempts in 2013.
Mikey Johnson, Tulare Western
Johnson is one of Tulare County's top workhorse backs and will play a starring role in the backfield as the Mustangs transition from a Wing T offense to a power spread. He ran for a team-high 689 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 and had three 100-yard rushing games.
Ramon Rodriguez, Strathmore
Strathmore is a running back factory and Rodriguez, a senior, is expected to continue that tradition. During his junior season, he racked up 379 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry for the defending Central Section Division VI and CIF State 7-A champions.
Achilles Sierra, Mission Oak
Sierra is one of Mission Oak's cornerstone pieces this season after helping the Hawks capture a 2023 Central Section Division III title. He ran for 545 yards and six touchdowns in Mission Oak's run to the CIF State Division 4-A championship game. Sierra was an effective pass catcher, too, hauling in 40 catches for 439 yards and six touchdowns.
More: 2024 Tulare County Football: Cowhide, Bell Game highlight Top 9 games to watch this season
Kysen Sing, Mt. Whitney
Sing is one of Tulare County's top senior running backs this season. He played an instrumental role in helping the Pioneers win an outright EYL championship, Cowhide and the Sid Hoskings Trophy (Visalia city public school championship). Sing ran for more than 800 yards and scored nine touchdowns as a junior.
Brayden Stevenson, Tulare Union
One of Tulare County's elite talents, Stevenson will see action in the backfield this year coming off a 1,000-yard receiving season. An impact player since his freshman year, Stevenson has generated more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and scored 22 total touchdowns. He had 16 receiving touchdowns in 2023.
Other names to know:
- JaKari Burrell, Mission Oak
- Chris Creason, El Diamante
- Rashawn Hayes, Tulare Union
- Abee Hernandez, Strathmore
- Daniel Hernandez, Dinuba
- Nathaniel Lopez, Dinuba
- Edward Perez III, El Diamante
- Jonathan Perez, Farmersville
- Ramon Rodriguez, Strathmore
- Gerardo Ruiz, Strathmore
- Mark Salinas, Porterville
- Tyson Vinson, Granite Hills
- Cayden Wallace, Woodlake
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County Football: Get to know these top 13 running backs ahead of the 2024 season
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