Running game looks in good shape for Basile, Grand Lake
In this edition of the Three Point Stance, Rodrick Anderson and Warren Arceneaux discuss small school running backs.
Who is the best returning starter?
WA: Andre “Bubba” Reed of Basile. Reed ran for over 1,000 yards last year, scored 13 touchdowns and is an outstanding linebacker. He helped the Bearcats earn another postseason berth. You can’t go wrong with a guy named Bubba. In any situation.
RA: Grand Lake Kris Reina, a three-sport athlete for the Hornets, rushed for more than 700 yards and 7 touchdowns last season in nine regular season games. At 5-11, 185 pounds, Reina won’t leave the field much this season as he also plays safety. The Hornets will need big plays on both sides of the ball from Reina as they look for their first winning season since the program was reinstated in 2013.
Which game features the most interesting group of running backs?
WA: Oberlin at Basile in Week 8. Both have multiple backs that can produce. Oberlin has Colin Chapman. Chapman had more than 100 yards in each of the five games he had 19 or more carries. That should be the norm this season with the departure of quarterback James Kirklin, who ran for nearly 1,500 yards last season. Basile has Reed and Logan David, who ran for more than 800 yards last season.
RA: Elton at Rosepine in Week 3. This game was Rosepine’s only blimish in the regular season after falling to the Indians 34-22. This year’s game at McKee-McKay Stadium in Rosepine will feature a pair of 1,000 yard backs in Rosepine’s Seth Shirley (302 car., 1,402 yards, 20 TDs) and Elton’s Darell Robinson (132 car., 1,032 yards, 15 TDs).
Build a backfield with running backs from two different schools.
WA: Darnell Robinson from Elton had over 1,000 yards on the season and averaged more than 100 yards per game in district play. He should be the focal point of Elton’s new Wing T offense. Torrell Lovias of Lake Arthur had over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, including 113 in a playoff game against Amite and their mammoth defensive line.
RA: Rosepine’s Seth Shirley and Kinder’s Elijah Levan. Shirley is bigger back that can run up the middle and swing out for a pass. Perkins was was of the Trojan’s four-horsemen last year, rushing for 535 yards and 6 touchdowns. Shirley has more than 2,000 yards in the last two seasons for the Eagles. Levan played linebacker last year, but he he will use his 5-10, 215 pound frame on the offensive side for the Yellow Jackets this year. With his size, positive yardage is almost a guarantee every time he touches the ball.