SSI Football: Football Friday! Here Are Names To Follow This Fall Out Of The Backfield

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The 2026 HS Football season is drawing closer as the window to the beginning of camp is now only (66) short days away. At some point during the season teams will have to have a running game to win games or be solid in short yardage situations. Here are some players that I feel are worth the price of admission. I will be watching these kids closely this fall!

The Warriors of head coach Justin Smith will have the services of two collegiate level RB's in the backfield this fall. Senior Beckett Verros burst on the scene last fall rushing for (1,450) yard and (16) scores while averaging (10.1) ypc. Senior Ryan Husen suffered an injury last fall and was limited to just (44) carries while rushing for (317) yards and (3) touchdowns. Husen did rush for (1,089) yards and (14) scores while averaging (8.8) ypc in the 2024 season. This duo is set to make a huge splash in 2026 if both can stay healthy the Warrior running game will be potent under the Friday night lights.

The Wildcats of head coach Kurt Bremer return junior RB Abe McGill who rushed for (1,300) yards and (13) touchdowns. McGill did his damage on (257) carries. It will be interesting to see if his carries fluctuates this fall due to what should be an experienced passing game behind senior QB Jackson Verschoor.

The Black Raiders of head coach Mike Winklepleck have many tools to work with this fall on offense and can win games through the air. Deep into the season they will need a running game to go with what should be a dynamic downfield passing game. Senior RB Amos Collins 6-0 (193) is a guy that I think will have a breakout season. Collins rushed for (506) yards last fall where he missed five game due to injury. I look for Collins to really raise his stock this fall on a team that will spend the whole season inside the top (5) in Class 5A.

The OABCIG Falcons of head coach Larry Allen return senior QB/ATH Raif Jensen 6-0 (190) to the offensive huddle. The University of South Dakota commit will operate at QB but his ability to run the football will take the Falcons as far as they go this fall. Jensen rushed for (529) yards and (9) touchdowns last fall and I anticipate the rushing number to really jump up to (700) plus. Jensen also has the best senior TE target in the state in Iowa commit Jaxx DeJean 6-4 (230). DeJean will command double coverage and threaten with the downfield passing attack which will allow Jensen to tuck and run minus one defender in the tackle box.