IOWA — Last week, running back Ronald Young carried the Iowa offense, piling up 36 carries for 261 yards in the team’s 17-16 District 4-3A win over Lake Charles College Prep.

The extra workload didn’t bother Young, who says he was only concerned with winning the game to gain a measure of revenge. Last year LCCP handed Iowa its lone regular-season loss, by one point in a crucial Week 9 game in Iowa.

“As a leader of the team, I like the responsibility,” Young said of the workload. “They can put the team on my back, I’ll do whatever it takes for us to win. I’m up for the challenge.

Last week was a big game. We owed them one.”

Young arrived late on the scene, not playing until his junior year. He quickly made an impact, running for 401 yards and seven touchdowns in his first three games. He finished with 1,063 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Young said a group of seniors last year showed him how to succeed.

“Guys like Curtis Deville, Bryson Leblanc, Crajaun Bennett and McQuinton Montgomery taught me a lot about football, being a good teammate, taking responsibility and stepping up,” Young said.

This season he’s been even better, with 1,114 yards through eight games, including five consecutive games with at least 100 yards.

Young put in extra work to get ready for the season.

“I’d spend three hours a day at the field, doing drills, running routes,” he said.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is a favorite of Young’s.

“He’s fast, physical, strong and has a great motor,” Young said.

Young said he has always enjoyed the mental part of the game, which helped him find a home at running back.

“I started off as a tight end,” he said. “I was kind of good but then they noticed how fast I was and how much knowledge of the game I had, so they moved me to running back. I liked tight end, it was fun running routes and I was bigger than everybody. Running back was easier. I felt it was a better position for me.”

Young has developed into a leader for younger members of the team.

“I try to show them the right things to do and interact with them a lot,” he said. “I try to keep them on the right path.”

Young said Iowa’s success this season is due to chemistry.

“We’re a real team,” he said. “We’re all together. Everyone loves being around each other, it’s a fun atmosphere. Things might get tough on the field, but we just remember the things the coaches told us and we just come together.”