2025 Missouri Prep Top Returning Running Backs

[Craig Hull]

Quarterbacks Monday, running backs on Friday ... to whet the appetite a little more for those of you wanting to discuss football, here's the list of running backs to watch heading into the fall.

My bias leans toward Jaylen Thomas, the senior at Capital City High ... another 2,000 yard season on tap?

Vote: Who is Missouri high school football's top returning running back for the 2025 season?

As we continue our previews of the state’s top returning talent at every position, we now turn our attention to the state’s top returning backs. After highlight

www.si.com

 

[thetophat2021]

Quarterbacks Monday, running backs on Friday ... to whet the appetite a little more for those of you wanting to discuss football, here's the list of running backs to watch heading into the fall.

My bias leans toward Jaylen Thomas, the senior at Capital City High ... another 2,000 yard season on tap?

Vote: Who is Missouri high school football's top returning running back for the 2025 season?

As we continue our previews of the state’s top returning talent at every position, we now turn our attention to the state’s top returning backs. After highlight

www.si.com

Thanks as always! Cap City is another of my state wide teams to watch in 2025. Week 2 I keep wavering between the battle of Liberty, my easy 10 mile drive, or down to Wardsville for what could be one of the more entertaining games of the entire season hosting Lutheran North.

 

[CaptainMullet]

Is that young man listed at Marionville still there? I heard he was in the portal.

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

Thanks as always! Cap City is another of my state wide teams to watch in 2025. Week 2 I keep wavering between the battle of Liberty, my easy 10 mile drive, or down to Wardsville for what could be one of the more entertaining games of the entire season hosting Lutheran North.

Ranked by 100 Meter Times. Platte County and Ray Pec have, by far, the fastest RBs on the field. Queue the d!pst!cks that think 100 meter times don't translate...

Adam Gisler 10.72 Platte County

DeZephen Walker 10.90 Ray Pec

Preston Hatfield, 11.01 Lee's Summit

Draivyn Colvin 11.06 Staley

Jayden McCaster 11.08 DeSmet

Carter Dowell 11.36

Bryce Thompson 11.44

Leuntae Williams 11.45

Jaylen Mack 11.46

Zemar Cheatam 11.50

Trevyn Adams 11.52

TaMarkus Holmes 11.55

Quincy Mayfield, 11.67

Jordan Taylor 11.69

Martez Stephenson, 11.74

Josh Harvath, 11.77

Sadler Viau 11.85

Dylan Armstrong 11.94

Trevor Codak 12.03

Devin Hollins 12.10

Jaylen Thomas 12.14

Kamden Yates 12.26

Roman Miller 12.27

Will Jackson 12.35

Caleb Nichols 12.56

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

Thanks as always! Cap City is another of my state wide teams to watch in 2025. Week 2 I keep wavering between the battle of Liberty, my easy 10 mile drive, or down to Wardsville for what could be one of the more entertaining games of the entire season hosting Lutheran North.

FYI. Platte County's WR Braiden Stevens runs a 10.38. Good luck everyone in Class 5. Try not to get turbo clocked.

 

[thetophat2021]

FYI. Platte County's WR Braiden Stevens runs a 10.38. Good luck everyone in Class 5. Try not to get turbo clocked.

Only way anyone threatens this squad is if they can score pretty much every time they touch the ball. Ritter is the only one, so far, I could see pulling something like this off in C5.

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

Only way anyone threatens this squad is if they can score pretty much every time they touch the ball. Ritter is the only one, so far, I could see pulling something like this off in C5.

If Platte County has any kind of defense at all it’s going to be turbo clock city all the way to the finals. Think Kearney 2003

 

[thetophat2021]

If Platte County has any kind of defense at all it’s going to be turbo clock city all the way to the finals. Think Kearney 2003

Yep said this last December right after they smoked their way to the 2024 C5 title. Best team all classes in MO last year and it really wasn't all that close.

 

[Comeagle]

Is that young man listed at Marionville still there? I heard he was in the portal.

Don’t think he is going anywhere. His mom is the girls basketball coach at Marionville and his sister will be a junior on the team this upcoming year

 

[cardsfan200306]

Yep said this last December right after they smoked their way to the 2024 C5 title. Best team all classes in MO last year and it really wasn't all that close.

what a shame KHS stopped playing them during the exact 2 yr stretch. would be a great experience game

 

[thetophat2021]

what a shame KHS stopped playing them during the exact 2 yr stretch. would be a great experience game

This coming year a more interesting game. Last year would have been all Platte County. Revisiting why was the St. Pius X Warriors who PC had at turbo at half a team who put 49 up on D stalwart Savannah who Kearney struggled past until the 4th quarter.

Overall agree, though. The Sub Conference cheated the area out of that but, for some reason, kept Smithville vs. PC I guess not looking at life after Ambro over in that Warriors land.

 

[revno]

Don’t think he is going anywhere. His mom is the girls basketball coach at Marionville and his sister will be a junior on the team this upcoming year

I made the portal crack as a joke/wishful thinking. Have enjoyed watching Pomeroy. He is a beast on defense as well. Marionville graduated over 75% of their unsportsman-like conduct, and unnecessary roughness penalty yardage and will be tough this season.

 

[BlackHawkPride]

I made the portal crack as a joke/wishful thinking. Have enjoyed watching Pomeroy. He is a beast on defense as well. Marionville graduated over 75% of their unsportsman-like conduct, and unnecessary roughness penalty yardage and will be tough this season.

Not many class 1 schools have a weights class available every hour. Marionville has made the commitment.

 

[ChaoticFanatic]

I made the portal crack as a joke/wishful thinking. Have enjoyed watching Pomeroy. He is a beast on defense as well. Marionville graduated over 75% of their unsportsman-like conduct, and unnecessary roughness penalty yardage and will be tough this season.

Don’t worry, I’m sure their coach will find someone to pick up the slack on the personal fouls. It’s Marionville 🤣🤣

 

[CaptainMullet]

Don’t worry, I’m sure their coach will find someone to pick up the slack on the personal fouls. It’s Marionville 🤣🤣

Heck, the ole ball coach may just do it himself.

 

[thetophat2021]

Heck, the ole ball coach may just do it himself.

Steve Spurrier is the Marionville HC????? Didn't know..................

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

This coming year a more interesting game. Last year would have been all Platte County. Revisiting why was the St. Pius X Warriors who PC had at turbo at half a team who put 49 up on D stalwart Savannah who Kearney struggled past until the 4th quarter.

Overall agree, though. The Sub Conference cheated the area out of that but, for some reason, kept Smithville vs. PC I guess not looking at life after Ambro over in that Warriors land.

Kearney 34 Savannah 7

WHO says theywere STRUGG-Ah-LING? St.Pius X soft D let them score 21. K's starting D gave up -0-

 

[thetophat2021]

Kearney 34 Savannah 7

WHO says theywere STRUGG-Ah-LING?

Final score correct but was close for three quarters. Very similar to 2023, by the way. There is a history between these two if anyone remembers 2010 and 2011 playoff games.

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

Final score correct but was close for three quarters. Very similar to 2023, by the way. There is a history between these two if anyone remembers 2010 and 2011 playoff games.

Savannah - Had 87 total yards of Offense through the end of 3Q. Averaged 2.1 ypc. They never got the ball past the 45 YL. If that is struggling, I like it struggling. They had 2 more yards of O in the 4Q until 3:00 left, and the JV came in. It was 35-0. They got a mercy TD and some yards on the JV. Otherwise, they had 89 yards total and like 5 first downs.

11/15/2024 34-7 (W)[-] 11/3/2023 35-13 (W) 10/21/2016 55-0 (W) 10/30/2015 42-6 (W) 11/7/2011 37-16 (L) 11/3/2010 17-9 (W)

 

[thetophat2021]

Savannah - Had 87 total yards of Offense through the end of 3Q. Averaged 2.1 ypc. They never got the ball past the 45 YL. If that is struggling, I like it struggling. They had 2 more yards of O in the 4Q until 3:00 left, and the JV came in. It was 35-0. They got a mercy TD and some yards on the JV. Otherwise, they had 89 yards total and like 5 first downs.

11/15/2024 34-7 (W)[-] 11/3/2023 35-13 (W) 10/21/2016 55-0 (W) 10/30/2015 42-6 (W) 11/7/2011 37-16 (L) 11/3/2010 17-9 (W)

Yep their D kept them in it for 3Q.

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

Yep their D kept them in it for 3Q.

Yeah, those 4th down stops. I think there were like three of them. Mid 3Q, K missed a FG, but had 215 total yards to Savannah's 87 at the end of 3.
The passing game for K was not good. 3/7 for 39 yards through 3Q. The running game was 6+ ypc. They have had the personnel for the split-back veer for the past three seasons?

 

[thetophat2021]

Yeah, those 4th down stops. I think there were like three of them. Mid 3Q, K missed a FG, but had 215 total yards to Savannah's 87 at the end of 3.
The passing game for K was not good. 3/7 for 39 yards through 3Q. The running game was 6+ ypc. They have had the personnel for the split-back veer for the past three seasons?

The lack of consistent passing game is why we aren't talking 3peat in KMO but that is what happens often (see Platte County 2023) when you start a SOPH QB regardless of talent. I'd bet the farm this won't nearly be an issue this upcoming season.

As you know Kearney wins up front virtually every game ergo that rushing average. This regular season I point squarely at Week 4 at Park Hill as a true measuring stick for the C4 playoffs and never count Allie and GV out, either (Week 6 home game). A few of those others are classic "hide your eyes" overmatches. 66 days and counting!

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

The lack of consistent passing game is why we aren't talking 3peat in KMO but that is what happens often (see Platte County 2023) when you start a SOPH QB regardless of talent. I'd bet the farm this won't nearly be an issue this upcoming season.

As you know Kearney wins up front virtually every game ergo that rushing average. This regular season I point squarely at Week 4 at Park Hill as a true measuring stick for the C4 playoffs and never count Allie and GV out, either (Week 6 home game). A few of those others are classic "hide your eyes" overmatches. 66 days and counting!

In 6 other districts, Savannah goes on, possibly to the final four. The past several years. They would have smoked Jeff City in 2023.

 

[thetophat2021]

In 6 other districts, Savannah goes on, possibly to the final four. The past several years. They would have smoked Jeff City in 2023.

They would have beaten Nevada fairly handily, too. C4 has become the "tweener" class the past few years. Go back to 2009-14 that sure wasn't the case! It was absolutely better than C5 in my opinion.

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

They would have beaten Nevada fairly handily, too. C4 has become the "tweener" class the past few years. Go back to 2009-14 that sure wasn't the case! It was absolutely better than C5 in my opinion.

Agreed. 2009 to 2014. Class 5 was one really good team and a bunch of "mehs"

 

[thetophat2021]

Agreed. 2009 to 2014. Class 5 was one really good team and a bunch of "mehs"

There was one glaring exception year 2011. LSW-Staley has been visited and re-re-re visited here since that semifinal classic.

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

There was one glaring exception year 2011. LSW-Staley has been visited and re-re-re visited here since that semifinal classic.

So you don't think the 2013 Class 5 Kearney Bulldogs was one of their best teams Kearney has ever had? By far, the best run of wins against the highest quality opponents in the school's history. LSW vs. Kearney playoff.

WINS: #193 Fort Osage (Independence, MO) (13-9), #770 Liberty North (Liberty, MO) (26-25), #799 Staley (Kansas City, MO) (28-7), #799 Staley (Kansas City, MO) (42-0), #930 Park Hill South (Riverside, MO) . That is like 5 of K's top wins all time, in one season.

 

[thetophat2021]

So you don't think the 2013 Class 5 Kearney Bulldogs was one of their best teams Kearney has ever had? By far, the best run of wins against the highest quality opponents in the school's history. LSW vs. Kearney playoff.

WINS: #193 Fort Osage (Independence, MO) (13-9), #770 Liberty North (Liberty, MO) (26-25), #799 Staley (Kansas City, MO) (28-7), #799 Staley (Kansas City, MO) (42-0), #930 Park Hill South (Riverside, MO) . That is like 5 of K's top wins all time, in one season.

That was about the craziest D turnaround any of us will ever witness. I remember watching Drew Lock and Lee's Summit absolutely carve up said D on MetroSports Thursday night game of the week. Went from giving up 77 to totally shutting down Fort's outstanding O (that was Vaoifi's SR year if I recall right) the second half until some unknown named Skylar Thompson almost came in and saved the Indians' day. One of the most controversial finishes I've ever seen, too.

It was a great team that simply ran into a superpower on its way to a permanent C6 home (LSW who also eliminated Jones et al in 2007 as they were moving from C4 to 5). Like I said most years yes C4 was better but those two new schools made their mark. Another memory while we are here is that Staley road reg season game I was told by more than one Falcons fan the team had a flu bug issue. Kearney absolutely dominating them in the playoff rematch in the rain was as fun as it got back when those two were serious rivals.

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

That was about the craziest D turnaround any of us will ever witness. I remember watching Drew Lock and Lee's Summit absolutely carve up said D on MetroSports Thursday night game of the week. Went from giving up 77 to totally shutting down Fort's outstanding O (that was Vaoifi's SR year if I recall right) the second half until some unknown named Skylar Thompson almost came in and saved the Indians' day. One of the most controversial finishes I've ever seen, too.

It was a great team that simply ran into a superpower on its way to a permanent C6 home (LSW who also eliminated Jones et al in 2007 as they were moving from C4 to 5). Like I said most years yes C4 was better but those two new schools made their mark. Another memory while we are here is that Staley road reg season game I was told by more than one Falcons fan the team had a flu bug issue. Kearney absolutely dominating them in the playoff rematch in the rain was as fun as it got back when those two were serious rivals.

Lee Summit West was ranked #18 in the U.S. that year.

 

[thetophat2021]

Lee Summit West was ranked #18 in the U.S. that year.

I went to the Dome watched all but this finale knowing what a mismatch it was (C5 title vs. Parkway Central, same team they beat for the C4 title in 2007).

 

[Fort80]

That was about the craziest D turnaround any of us will ever witness. I remember watching Drew Lock and Lee's Summit absolutely carve up said D on MetroSports Thursday night game of the week. Went from giving up 77 to totally shutting down Fort's outstanding O (that was Vaoifi's SR year if I recall right) the second half until some unknown named Skylar Thompson almost came in and saved the Indians' day. One of the most controversial finishes I've ever seen, too.

It was a great team that simply ran into a superpower on its way to a permanent C6 home (LSW who also eliminated Jones et al in 2007 as they were moving from C4 to 5). Like I said most years yes C4 was better but those two new schools made their mark. Another memory while we are here is that Staley road reg season game I was told by more than one Falcons fan the team had a flu bug issue. Kearney absolutely dominating them in the playoff rematch in the rain was as fun as it got back when those two were serious rivals.

That Kearney vs Fort game was one of the best I've ever attended. That was probably the best Fort team ever that didn't make a state title game. If i recall correctly that Fort defense didn't give up more than 14 points in a game all season. A lot of sophomores starting that season that won the state title in 2015.

 

[JNsDaddyzDaddyIownU]

I went to the Dome watched all but this finale knowing what a mismatch it was (C5 title vs. Parkway Central, same team they beat for the C4 title in 2007).

Funny thing...Kearney played them pretty even and well, until LSW started throwing fade routes to future Los Angeles Dodger and Miami Marlin, Monte Harrison--walk-on WR for the University of Arkansas in 2024.

 

[thetophat2021]

That Kearney vs Fort game was one of the best I've ever attended. That was probably the best Fort team ever that didn't make a state title game. If i recall correctly that Fort defense didn't give up more than 14 points in a game all season. A lot of sophomores starting that season that won the state title in 2015.

It was a brutal game. Tale of two halves.

 

[BlackHawkPride]

In 6 other districts, Savannah goes on, possibly to the final four. The past several years. They would have smoked Jeff City in 2023.

8/18	Jamboree	6:00 pm	Matchup
	8/25	vs Portageville (10-2)	W	35 - 34	Matchup
	9/1	at East Buchanan (11-1)	L	0 - 14	Matchup
	9/8	Kirksville (5-6)	W	42 - 0	Matchup
	9/15	at Lafayette (St. Joseph) (1-9)	W	50 - 0	Matchup
	9/22	Benton (2-8)	W	50 - 0	Matchup
	9/29	at Cameron (6-5)	W	34 - 0	Matchup
	10/6	Chillicothe (5-6)	W	61 - 8	Matchup
	10/13	at Maryville (9-2)	L	20 - 39	Matchup
	10/20	at St. Pius X (Kansas City) (11-3)	L	13 - 34

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