They smash it up the middle.
They take it around the end.
They haul in passes, too.
They’re the legs.
“They” are the running backs — and the high school football teams at Lake Oswego, Lakeridge, West Linn and Wilsonville have some absolute studs at that position.
Here’s a player-by-player look at the running backs at those four schools, along with their season statistics and what their head coaches had to say about them.
Editor’s Note: The stats in this story reflect results through Sept. 20, 2024.
Lake Oswego
The Lakers are led in 2024 by junior LaMarcus “Bam” Bell (5-foot-11, 190 pounds), a first-team returning all-TRL and second-team all-state pick from 2023.
Through four games — the Lakers are 4-0 with wins over South Medford, Sunset, Silverton and Newberg — Bell has carried the ball 37 times for 420 yards (an 11.4 yards per carry average) with eight touchdowns.
Here’s what Lake Oswego coach Steve Coury had to say about Bell:
“Bam is a gifted kid. He just turned 16 in late July, so he's got so much ahead of him,” Coury said. “He's done a great job in the offseason. He's about 190 pounds now, so he really helped himself this offseason.
“He's just got some God-given stuff and he's just going to keep getting better.”
LaMarcus “Bam” Bell, Lake Oswego
Stats: 37 carries for 420 yards, 8 touchdowns
Lakeridge
The Pacers are led in 2024 by junior Ansu Sanoe (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), a three-year starter who was a first-team all-TRL and second-team all-state pick in 2023.
Through three games — the Pacers are 3-0 with wins over Jefferson, Barlow and Mountainside — Sanoe has carried the ball 36 times for 299 yards (an 8.3 yards per carry average) with seven touchdowns.
Here’s what Lakeridge coach Spencer Phillips had to say about Sanoe:
“He’s just phenomenal. He doesn't need much introduction,” Phillips said. “The thing that's great about him is he's changed as a leader. Watching him mature has been really good and his knowledge of the game has gotten better.
“And he had a great offseason. He gotten so strong. He is unbelievable.”
Ansu Sanoe, Lakeridge
Stats: 36 carries for 299 yards, 7 touchdowns
West Linn
The Lions are led in 2024 by junior Viggo Anderson (5-foot-8, 170 pounds), a first-year starter for the top-ranked and unbeaten Lions.
Through three games — the Lions are 3-0 with wins over Eagle, Idaho, Sherwood and Sumner, Washington — Anderson has carried the ball 56 times for 388 yards (a 6.9 yards per carry average) with three touchdowns.
Here’s what West Linn coach Jon Eagle had to say about Anderson:
“Viggo has had a great start for the ’24 season,” Eagle said. “He combines speed and quickness and great vision. He will often take a run stop and turn it into a positive gain.
“He also plays a part in our passing game with his protection and great hands.”
Viggo Anderson, West Linn
Stats: 56 carries for 388 yards, 3 touchdowns
Wilsonville
The Wildcats are led in 2024 by junior Riddick Molatore (6-foot-0, 185 pounds); he and senior quarterback Mark Wiepert have led the Cats’ rushing attack while junior Roman Kealoha preps for his return to the lineup.
Through three games — the Wildcats are 3-0 with wins over Nelson, Summit and Sunset — Molatore has carried the ball 27 times for 114 yards – a 4.2 yards per carry average - with one touchdown.
Here’s what Wilsonville coach Adam Guenther had to say about Molatore:
“Riddick is one of our starting linebackers, but he's the next guy in (at running back after Kealoha),” Guenther said. “Usually, he's a fullback and gets his rest on offense, but he had to (take over at running back and he’s done) a good job.”
Riddick Molatore, Wilsonville
Stats: 27 carries for 114 yards, 1 touchdown
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