Here are southwest Missouri's high school football running backs to know heading into 2024

There is no shortage of great running backs in southwest Missouri entering the 2024 season with many of the top ballcarriers from a year ago returning to their team’s respective backfields.

Here are the running backs you should refamiliarize yourself with entering the year.

Hunter Adams, Ava, 12

Adams came back strong as a junior after blowing out his knee during the first game of his sophomore year. He rushed for 1,712 yards and 27 touchdowns last season.

Jack Cheaney, Nevada, 12

The area’s leading rusher returns after cracking 2,000 rushing yards a year ago. His offensive line lost some talent, including one of the best offensive linemen in the state, but he’s talented enough to make up for it.

Landyn Collins, Carthage, 12

Collins almost rushed for 1,500 yards out of Carthage’s backfield last year. The Tigers should have one of the better rushing attacks in the area.

Braden Dodson, Mount Vernon, 12

You can argue that Dodson is the best two-way player in the Ozarks entering this year. He was a top-five rusher last season with over 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Rolly Fisher, Forsyth, 12

Fisher is one of the toughest runners in the area. He’s coming off an 811-yard, 17-touchdown season and will continue to see a lot of carries for the Panthers.

Jax Glendenning, Lebanon, 12

Glendenning might be the best running back in the area entering the season and he will be relied upon heavily as Lebanon makes its debut in the Central Ozark Conference. He went for 1,723 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first year as the Yellowjackets’ premier back.

Kellen Lair, Fair Grove, 12

Lair was the 2023 football season’s breakout player of the year. No one found the endzone more than he did and was a threat to go the distance every time he touched the ball. He rushed for 1,968 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Cash Pomeroy, Marionville, 11

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if Pomeroy emerges as one of the best skill position players in the Ozarks, if not the best by his senior year. As a sophomore, he split carries and rushed for 1,340 yards and 21 scores en route to a state title. He won’t have to split as many carries heading into this season. He would be a great player in any classification.

Dylan Rebura, Nixa, 12

Rebura split carries last year and rushed for 1,288 yards and 18 touchdowns. After the graduation of Malachi Rider, Rebura could be looking at more carries while running behind what promises to be the best offensive line in the Ozarks entering the 2024 season.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Here are southwest Missouri's high school football running backs to know heading into 2024