Southern California Top Rushing Performances: Week 1
In this article:
After nearly 500 days, high school football was played in Southern California. There were some thrilling games in week one to kickoff the spring football season with a bang. Below are six of the top rushing performances that happened in…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAfter nearly 500 days, high school football was played in Southern California.
There were some thrilling games in week one to kickoff the spring football season with a bang.
Below are six of the top rushing performances that happened in week one in Southern California.
Semaj Freeman Semaj Freeman 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Oaks Christian | 2021 State CA , Oaks Christian, 2021
Freeman had a 73-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game and kept dominating throughout in Oaks Christian’s win over Paraclete. The self-proclaimed “Flash” of Oaks Christian football had three touchdowns in the game, including one to seal the victory in the fourth quarter. He was the most dynamic and dominant player in a game full of college prospects and once he gets into open space he is gone. Freeman has offers from a few schools including Nevada and Northern Arizona.
.@MajFreeman1 starting off the season with a 73-yard run to the 🏠👀@oclionsfootball I @CIFSS pic.twitter.com/NFCjH1d2PZ
— FOX Sports Prep Zone (@prepzone) March 14, 2021
Samuel Green Samuel Green 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Huntington Beach | 2021 State CA , Huntington Beach, 2021
Green had an impressive debut for Huntington Beach after transferring from JSerra. The UNLV signee rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns all in the first half in a blowout win over Marina. He had 194 total yards and a receiving touchdown as well. Huntington Beach lost the Victory Trophy last season to Marina for the first time in over a decade and Green told the Daily Pilot “I had to snatch it for them real quick. Me and my team, this is going to be a great team.”
ANOTHER ONE @Shadygreen9 racks up his 4️⃣th touchdown for the night.@HBHSFootball | #PrepZone pic.twitter.com/7Ee7iUDR7o
— FOX Sports Prep Zone (@prepzone) March 13, 2021
Rayshon Luke Rayshon Luke 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , St. John Bosco, 2022
The game between Sierra Canyon and St. John Bosco was on television and had a lot of eyeballs paying attention. Of the many great running backs, the standout was Bosco’s Luke, which isn’t surprising considering he is arguably the top running back in the state in the 2022 class. He showcased his elite track-athlete speed, rushing for 107 yards on just six carries with two touchdowns. He scored his first one when the Braves were surprisingly trailing 7-0 late in the first quarter. In the second half, he outran the entire Sierra Canyon defense for a 67-yard touchdown to extend Bosco’s lead to two touchdowns. Since Saturday’s game, Luke picked up offers from San Diego State and Boston College.
SPEEEEEDY with some SPEED 💨 @LukeRayshon I @boscofootball I @CIFSS pic.twitter.com/DxqudZQYXz
— FOX Sports Prep Zone (@prepzone) March 14, 2021
Roman Pistone, Foothill (Santa Ana), 2021
Pistone scored all four touchdowns for Foothill in its 28-12 win over crosstown rival Tustin. He had 248 all-purpose yards and a 69-yard rushing touchdown. He also had two receiving touchdowns of 47 and 71 yards. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound senior isn’t a college football prospect and is in fact an even better lacrosse player than he is at football. But Pistone is a very good high school running back and not everyone has to be a Division 1 prospect to get some well-deserved media coverage.
Brandon Roberts, Sunny Hills, 2021
The Sunny Hills running game was outstanding in a 56-14 win over Fountain Valley, rushing for nearly 500 yards. Roberts rushed for 142 yards on just nine carries with four touchdowns for the Lancers. Roberts debuted in the middle of the season for Sunny Hills last year and quickly stoodout as the fastest player on the field. He had a very impressive performance in the CIF semifinals against Trabuco Hills and made big plays in the running and passing game. Roberts is signed with William Penn University.
Brandon Roberts signs with William Penn University! Brandon was an All CIF and All Freeway League two way starter on the 2019 CIF Championship team. He will join Lancer alumni Alex Jung, Marquis Knighten, and Jeremiah Flewellen at WPU. Congrats Brandon! #LFL pic.twitter.com/CKrUXY3s6Y
— Sunny Hills Football (@sh_lancerfball) February 3, 2021
Joaquin Thomas Joaquin Thomas 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Granite Hills | 2023 State CA , Granite Hills (El Cajon), 2023
Thomas is a sophomore transfer from Helix and he put up some big numbers in Granite Hills’ 56-7 rout of Valhalla. He rushed for 160 yards on just eight carries for a 20 yards per carry average with three rushing touchdowns. He also caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justus McComb. Valhalla is the worst team that Granite Hills will play in this short season, but Thomas has the talent to produce against anyone. He will get a chance to play against his former team, Helix, on April 9. His versatility has a receiving threat out of the backfield and kick returner makes him an intriguing college prospect.
🏈56-7 Granite 🔥 great job fellas🙏🏾 @kyle_mccomb @Angel_Almazannn @mrhall25 @PaperRoutePat @granitehillsfb @plcerns @barton_qb @MajorGivens2 pic.twitter.com/1hHgMenxP6
— Joaquin Thomas Jr (Athlete) (@joaquinthomasj1) March 14, 2021
Other standout performances
Malachi Bey, Garden Grove
Jonathan Gonzalez, Ocean View
David Harris, Sunny Hills
Daylen Pedroza, Orange
Ethan Pocci, Yorba Linda
Anthony Ramirez, Ocean View
Devin Samples, Long Beach Poly
Anthony Spearman, Sierra Canyon
Lucky Sutton, Cathedral Catholic