Nineteen out of the Top 50 rushers in the state of Florida through the first six weeks of the season hail from the coverage area. Sixty-percent of the Top 10 comes from the area so it’s safe to say we run the rock–and run it well in the six counties. Below are the players that have cracked the Top 50 according to maxpreps.com.
#1-Deshawn Smith, Nature Coast Tech (Sr.)
This Shark is acting like the apex predator that his schools’ nickname suggests. Smith is one–perhaps two games at the most from breaking the Hernando County All-Time rushing record. For now, the 5-foot-8, 185-pounder has totaled 1,399 yards (279.8 per game) and 24 touchdowns so far in 2015.
#2-De’vonta Smith, Brooksville Central (Jr.)
He can play both sides of the ball effectively, but this D-Smith checks-in just behind his county-mate with 1,241 yards on 142 carries. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder has 11 touchdowns to his credit this season.
#3-Tyler King, Fort Meade (Sr.)
The Western Kentucky commit has rushed for 1,196 yards on 85 carries for the undefeated Miners. The 6-foot, 183-pound rusher has totaled 17 touchdowns this season as well.
#4-Antwione Simms, Zephyrhills (Jr.)
The 5-foot-11, 196-pounder has been unconscious for the ‘Dogs this season totaling 1,117 yards on 83 carries and has 13 touchdowns. Simms is averaging 223 yards per game through the first five contests of the season.
#7-Chris Schwarz, River Ridge (Sr.)
He led the state in rushing last season–and is could possibly break Pasco’s all-time record this season before he graduates. So far in 2015, Schwarz (5-10/200) has rushed 156 times for 999 yards and has 8TD’s to his credit.
#T8-Glass Wilson V, Ridgewood (Sr.)
He rushed for just 45 yards vs. River Ridge, but that hasn’t stopped Glass (5-10/190) from totaling 989 yards on 118 carries and has 11 touchdowns for the Rams this season.
#15-Braxton Johnson, Anclote (Jr.)
He’s rushed for 200+ yards in four consecutive games for the Sharks thus far, and has totaled 924 yards on 108 carries for 8 touchdowns this season for Anclote. Johnson checks-in at 5-4/160 on the scales.
#19-Devan Barrett, Tampa Catholic (Jr.)
The #1-ranked member of BCP’s Class of 2017, Barrett’s been big-time for the Crusaders this season. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior has rushed for 837 yards on 83 carries and 8 touchdowns this season.
#20-Jahyrn Bailey, Lennard (Jr.)
The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder has rushed for 830 yards on 117 carries and 14 touchdowns for the undefeated Longhorns this season.
#34-Darius Miller, St. Petersburg (Sr.)
The Green Devils have a two-headed monster in the backfield and this 5-foot-8/165-pounder is one half of that monster. Miller has rushed for 742 yards on 64 carries and six touchdowns for St. Pete this season so far.
#35-Shaquan Johnson, Northeast (Jr.)
The Vikings have a stud in this 5-8/160-pound rusher as Johnson has picked up 741 yards on 142 carries and tallied five touchdowns for Northeast this season.
#38-Mychael Hamilton, Mitchell (So.)
He just a sophomore and already doing big things for the Mustangs this season. So far in 2015, Hamilton (6-0/170) has rushed for 732 yards on 98 carries and has 12 touchdowns to his credit for Mitchell this season.
#39-Christian Dowdell, Hernando (Sr.)
This Leopard has leaped into action from week one for Hernando as Dowdell (5-10/165) has totaled 730 yards on exactly 100 carries while scoring a touchdown this season so far.
#41-Markese Hargrove, Plant City (Sr.)
The Raiders have a good one with this hard-nosed rusher standing at 5-foot-9/170-pounds. Hargrove has rushed for 718 yards on 115 carries and picked up 8 touchdowns in 2015 for Plant City.
#42-Adarius Lemmons, Clearwater (Jr.)
A Tornado at tailback for Clearwater as Lemmons (6-2/185) has picked up 715 yards on 65 carries and has eight touchdowns on the season for his undefeated squad.
#43-Braxton Harris, Newsome (Sr.)
Newsome gets it done on the ground year-in and year-out, and this season Harris (5-11/180) has totaled 709 yards on 60 carries through the first six games and seven touchdowns.
#44-Dale Foster, Pinellas Park (Jr.)
Another team that gets it done on the ground is the Patriots and Foster (5-11/170) has picked up 707 yards on 58 carries and ten touchdowns for P-Park in 2015.
#49-Jaquel Waller, St. Petersburg (Sr.)
The second-half of the two-headed monster for the Green Devils, Waller (5-10/170) has accrued 689 yards on 98 carries
and 11 touchdowns for Saint Petersburg this season.
#50-Benjamin Sirmons, Lakeland Christian (Sr.)
Sirmons (5-8/162) has been a workhorse for Head Coach Wayne Peace and his #2-ranked Vikings squad. So far in 2015, Sirmons has 687 yards on 62 carries and picked up 11 touchdowns.