Best running backs in Ohio Division VI, DVII high school football entering 2026

High school football is almost here again in Ohio.Leading up to the 2026 fall high school sports season, cleveland.com is highlighting the top football players in Ohio.• Related: Best high school kickers, punters in OhioOver the next couple of weeks, we’ll feature the best players in Division VI and Division VII Ohio high school football. First up were the quarterbacks, and now it’s the top running backs’ turn.We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team.If you are an Ohio high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email mswanson@advancelocal.com. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.Below the coaches’ picks are all the returning all-state running backs in DVI and DVII high school football.Top DVI and DVII RBs, as highlighted by coachesLogan Allgeier, Madison-Plains, JuniorA 5-foot-11, 205-pounder, Allgeier “rushed for 700 yards in his first season as a running back and will have a solid season for us again,” coach Jason Hunt said. Morgan Brown, Deer Park, JuniorBrown earned all-state honorable mention last year as a receiver after playing all over the field. He finished with 92 carries for 727 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, plus 35 catches for 527 yards and 11 TDs, plus a punt return for a touchdown. “Morgan is our do-it-all guy,” coach Tucker Berger said. “He plays with a high level of energy and effort and brings his A game every single week. He currently has interest from D1 schools and holds an offer from Miami (Ohio).”Abraham Castellano, Fairport Harding, JuniorA varsity starter since his freshman year and all-state honoree as a sophomore, Castellano “has established himself as one of the team’s most dependable and explosive playmakers,” coach John Nagle said. During a record-breaking season in the Fairport Harbor passing game, Castellano rushed for 646 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. “Abraham’s success is no accident,” Nagle said. “He dedicates himself to the offseason, spending countless hours in the weight room and on the field improving his strength, speed and overall skill set. His commitment to continuous improvement reflects his goal of playing football at the next level.”Maverick Durden, Independence, SeniorDurden returns as the lead back for the third season for the Blue Devils. Last year he had 87 carries for 328 yards and five touchdowns, plus 12 receptions for 86 yards. “During this offseason he has embraced his leadership role in the weight room, teaching the younger players how to train,” coach Matthew Burns said. Kellen Frankart, Hopewell-Loudon, SeniorA Division 1 baseball recruit, Frankart plays all over the football field, from RB to WR to occasionally QB. He “missed five games last year and still rushed for 886 yards and 12 TDs,” coach Brian Colatruglio said.Tyler Harr, Mt. Gilead, SeniorHarr returns at halfback for Mt. Gilead this season after rushing for 590 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.Archer Johnston, Elgin, SeniorA 6-foot, 180-pound athlete, Johnson ran for more than 600 yards on just 93 carries last year. “Archer battled through an early-season knee injury that limited his availability at times,” coach Zack Winslow said. “We look for Archer to have a breakout year in 2026.”T. Garrison Kruse, Liberty Center, SeniorKruse is being recruited as a linebacker, but in high school he’s a load to bring down as a 6-foot-2, 220-pound running back. He finished his junior year with 1,915 yards rushing on 144 carries and 32 touchdowns, plus 18 catches for 244 yards and five TDs. “Garrison is an alpha on our team,” coach Casey Mohler said. “Others look up to him for his work ethic, football IQ, production and passion for the game. Garrison pushes others to work and practice as hard as they can. He is unselfish and only cares about winning, and helping his team.”Hunter Lackey, Southern, JuniorLackey is a dual-threat back making the move from slot receiver to running back this season “and should be a game-changer for us,” coach Cassady Willford said.Chase Newsome, Ashtabula Saint John, SeniorNewsome rushed for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, averaging 7.7 yards per carry and scoring 20 TDs altogether. “Chase was voted team MVP by his teammates, which speaks even louder than the statistics,” coach Bob Dlwgosh said. “He is the leader of our program and sets the standard for toughness, work ethic and accountability. He is the player we trust most when the game is on the line and is the type of young man every coach hopes to build a team around.”Dameko Taylor, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, SeniorTaylor earned all-state recognition as a junior after rushing for 1,022 yards on 133 carries with five touchdowns. “He will be a big force for us his senior year and take on even more carries,” coach Kyle Hogan said. Sam Tencza, Fisher Catholic, SeniorTencza rushed for 903 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, averaging 6.2 yards per carry while also starring at linebacker. The 4.0 student “owns a drone photography business with his brother” and is “completely selfless on and off the field,” coach Luke Thimmes said. Cyren Wallace, Danville, JuniorWallace earned first-team All-Ohio honors last year after rushing for 1,436 yards and 19 touchdowns, along with 246 receiving yards and three TDs. Also a defensive starter, Wallace “was a captain for us as a sophomore,” coach Matt Blum said. Miles Wharry, Ottawa Hills, JuniorWharry boasts speed and power in a small package at 5-foot-7, 165 pounds. He’s a “shifty, fast back but can also square up and get the hard yards when needed,” coach Geoff Skibinski said. “If he gets in the open, he will be very hard to catch.”Gabe Wilkins, Troy Christian, JuniorWilkins was Troy Christian’s second-leading receiver last year but will shift to running back as a junior. “He is one of the most gifted athletes on the team and in the conference,” coach Charles Begley said. He’s “one of our quiet leaders, but his teammates look to him when they need a play on offense or defense.”Marquise Williams, Leipsic, SeniorWilliams rushed for 1,029 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, along with 645 yards receiving and five TDs. Coach Joe Kirkendall described the all-state, all-district and all-conference honoree as a “Swiss Army knife” who relies on his “tremendous speed as an RB and receiver.”Returning all-state RBs in DVI and DVIIKasen Bailey, Andover Pymatuning Valley, SeniorKaden Bish, Sycamore Mohawk, SeniorAnthony Bishop, Portsmouth West, SeniorAbraham Castellano, Fairport Harding, JuniorStaley Colston, New Madison Tri-Village, JuniorElijah Fitch, Wickliffe, SophomoreMatthew Frey, Sugarcreek Garaway, SeniorBrady Guegold, Lucas, SeniorXavier Hendon, Columbia Station Columbia, JuniorJaxon Holman, Newark Catholic, SeniorBrice Johnson, Chillicothe Zane Trace, SeniorHayden Jones, Waterford, SeniorJacob Kelly, New Bremen, SeniorT. Garrison Kruse, Liberty Center, SeniorMiles Marshall, Centerburg, SeniorAsher Maynard, Symmes Valley, JuniorMicah McVey, Strasburg-Franklin, SeniorJack Montgomery, Pike Eastern, JuniorMarcus Nagel, Delta, JuniorChase Newsome, Ashtabula Saint John, SeniorMarlan Robertson, Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, SeniorJacob Schmitmeyer, Ansonia, SeniorTimmy Serensky, Berlin Center Western Reserve, JuniorGrant Smith, Gibsonburg, SeniorRico Smith, Brookfield, SeniorWyatt Taviano, Lima Perry, SeniorDameko Taylor, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, SeniorRoen Thew, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, SeniorCyren Wallace, Danville, JuniorLandyn Wiegel, Collins Western Reserve, SeniorMarquis Williams, Leipsic, Senior