Trio forms formidable backfield for Lakeland's state title run

LAKELAND — Lakeland often has had strong 1-2 combinations in the backfield. Chris Rainey and Jamar Taylor or Johnnie Mack and Laroni Gallishaw are two great examples.

For the past decade, however, especially with the Dreadnaughts running more one-back sets, there has been a definite go-to back. A.J. Davis, Demarkcus Bowman, Reggie Kellum and even Don'Ares Johnson last season.

This season, however, it's been running back by committee and it's been quite a committee. Johnson, a senior, and juniors D'Marius Rucker and Markell Johnson have combined to give Lakeland its typical, hard-to-stop running game with speed and power. Although the Dreadnaughts have a strong passing game, the trio of running backs provides the foundation for the offense.

"They're all good backs," Lakeland coach Bill Castle said. "We expect them to play good. They're all top-notch backs. I think they push each other, they pull for each other. I think we've got a good thing going with our rotation."

Lakeland averages 229.1 yards rushing. Rucker leads with 932 yards and 13 touchdowns, Don'Ares Johnson has 710 yards and 12 touchdowns, and Markell Johnson has 677 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Not since 2013 when Davis, then a freshman, rushed for 822 yards, Ra'Don Dwight rushed for 722 yards and Aaron Johnson rushed for 669 yards have the Dreadnaughts had three rushers close together, and Aaron Johnson was a quarterback.

Don'Ares Johnson came into the season as the No. 1 back after a strong junior season when he rushed for 1,078 yards and three touchdowns. Zaire Davis was the No. 2 running back with just 402 yards, although the short-yardage specialist had 16 touchdowns. Markell Johnson and Rucker were just support players in the running game with 235 yards and 232 yards, respectively.

In the season opener, however, Don'Ares Johnson was injured after just four carries (for 51 yards) and missed two games.

"It was really hard to be out," Don'Ares said. "I was hoping to get 1,000 yards. But I had to be patient and go through it and recover, so when I come back I'd be 100 percent and could help my team out."

Don'Ares certainly has helped his team. He returned against Lake Gibson, rushing for 79 yards on six carries. He has two 100-yard games, including a season-high 138 yards against Lakewood. His longest run is 72 yards.

"Don'Ares, he's tough," Castle said. "He's a tough hard runner. He brings it every play."

Rucker took over against Clearwater and finished with 99 yards on six carries. He has three 100-yard games, including a season-high 153 yards against Lake Gibson. His longest run is 80 yards.

"He has a lot of speed," Castle said. "Where he has improved is reading his blocks. Last year, he was more fidgety. This year, he's more smooth."

Rucker was ready for a bigger role this season and took advantage of his opportunity.

"I just really felt it was time to put the team on my back," Rucker said. "With him being out and he's a great back, it really motivated me to do better for the team. I didn't feel pressure because the team made sure I was OK. When I came here as a freshman, Don'Ares took me under his wing, and I felt like I was ready."

Markell Johnson has been a dependable and consistent third option. More of a power back than his teammates, he has a season-high 82 yards on eight carries against Clearwater International and has seven runs of more than 20 yards, including a long 49-yard.

"Markell is probably the strong of the bunch," Castle said. "He runs hard through contact."

His role goes beyond running as he'll play fullback when the team employs the position.

"I've got to block for these boys to make sure they're straight and make sure we get a 'W' at the end of the day," Markell said.

Running backs coach Kerry Harbin rotates the three backs in to keep them fresh. Rucker has had double-digit carries in a game three times, Don'Ares two times, and Markell once.

Castle said the three backs are interchangeable in their ability to run any play he calls, all three running back have accepted their roles.

"We push each other pretty hard," Don'Ares said. "Our chemistry, it's there. We're a strong group."

And they know they have to be ready when their number is called.

"It's not really that hard because we know when we get in, we just have to make plays," Don'Ares said. "As a running back, we know we have to make plays, so it's not hard (to stay ready). We just tell each other, when we get in, just ball, do your assignments, do your job."

Added Rucker: "I don't feel it's that hard because we're all great backs. We all bring something different to the table so when one comes out, the other coming in is just as good."

Rucker is the fastest, Markell is the strongest, and Don'Ares probably has the best combination of the two. They're all fans of each other's strengths, which adds to the chemistry.

"He blocks really well," Don'Ares said of Markell. "He's the best blocking running back we have. If he goes down, I'll have to play fullback, and I'll have to step up and make plays like he does. And Rucker, he has great speed, it's crazy. I've got speed, but his speed is definitely different."

Rucker also raved about Markell's blocking.

"What I admire about Don'Ares is the way he hits the hole hard with power," Rucker said. "Not one player is going to bring him down. When he sees it, he hits it. About Markell, I like the way he runs hard."

Lakeland has had a lot of great running backs in its storied history. Some have won a state title like Mack, Rainey, Taylor and Bowman. Others fell short like A.J. Davis and Steward Butler.

This year's trio aims to join the first group.

"It's driving us hard," Don'Ares said. "I've been here the longest and we've fallen short. So to be in this position to play in a state game, it's a lot of confidence. I'm just happy we've made it to this point and now we can focus on bringing it home for the city.

Roy Fuoco can be reached at roy.fuoco@theledger.com or at 863-802-7526. Follow him on Twitter: @RoyFuoco.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Trio forms formidable backfield for Lakeland's state title run