Ranking the Top 5 Louisville high school running backs midway through the KHSAA season
We're more than midway through the Kentucky high school football season, which is a good time to reflect on the most impressive performances so far this season.
These five running backs have terrorized defenses on the ground, but do they have the wheels to carry their teams throughout the rest of the year?
Here's how we ranked the five best Louisville-area running backs at the midway point of the season:
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5. Daniel Swinney, sr., Male
What to know: Daniel Swinney entered his senior season with high expectations after rushing for 1,659 yards and 29 touchdowns a year ago. He looked unstoppable against Floyd County (IN) on opening night, rushing for 225 yards and three touchdowns. He's been quiet since. Three consecutive weeks against elite defenses like Ballard, St. Xavier and Trinity can do that. That explains why Swinney hasn't eclipsed 100 yards since the Bulldogs' Week 2 loss to the Bruins. Last Friday, he only needed to run four times for 73 yards and a touchdown in Male's lopsided 36-0 win over Butler. Swinney should expect more action this week when Male (3-2) travels to Indianapolis to face undefeated Roncalli (6-0).
4. Gavin Copenhaver, sr., Christian Academy of Louisville
What to know: Gavin Copenhaver complements CAL's dominant passing game. The senior leads the Centurions' rushing attack with 344 yards and seven touchdowns on 43 carries. Listed at 6-foot, 210 pounds, Copenhaver is a bruiser-type back. The Centurions like to use that to their advantage in the red zone, but Copenhaver's four receiving touchdowns prove he's more than a goal-line and short-yardage threat.
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3. Cortez Stone, so., Central
What to know: Cortez Stone was projected to be one of the top running backs in the state this season. With offers from Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Purdue and Louisville, eyes are glued to this sophomore's every carry. And there's been a lot of them. Stone has the most attempts of any back on this list (108). Without much of a passing game, Central (2-4) relies heavily on him. Against St. Xavier, Stone rushed 23 times for 186 yards and a touchdown, but the Yellow Jackets lost 44-8. Stone has the speed and shiftiness to break big plays on a moment's notice.
Recruiting question:Will Louisville seal the deal with electrifying Cortez Stone?
2. Quintel Thomas, sr., Eastern
What to know: Quintel Thomas only rushed for 214 yards last season as the Eagles' No. 2 running back. After being promoted, the senior's stats have skyrocketed. Thomas leads Class 6A in yards (954) and averages 8.2 yards per carry, and he's getting better. On Friday, Thomas led the Eagles to a 48-14 win over North Bullitt after running for 237 yards and four touchdowns. He'll look to build on the performance against Oldham County this week before finishing the year out with a tough three-game stretch against Ballard, Trinity and CAL.
Instant rankings: Check out Jason Frakes' list of the top 10 football teams in Kentucky
1. ZahRon Washburn, jr., Manual
What to know: The biggest question Manual faced this offseason was who could replace All-District running back Jawaun Northington. Zah'Ron Washburn answered that immediately with a four-touchdown performance in Week 1. The Crimsons (6-0) are one of two undefeated teams left in Class 6A, and Washburn is their best weapon. Second only to Quientel Thomas for most yards in 6A, Washburn's 13 touchdowns are at the top of list. Top defenses have yet to slow him down. Ballard (5-1) was thought to have a chance but two touchdowns, 150 yards and a 21-0 Manual victory proved otherwise.
Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football: Top 5 Louisville high school running backs at midseason
