We start our “Side by Side” series today by lining up two of Tampa Bay’s top talents, Chamberlain 2013 RB, Xavier Johnson and Carrollwood Day 2013 RB, Robert Davis.
Both backs are BCP ranked. Johnson as the #3 rated running back, while Davis comes in at #4. The two skilled players combined for 3400 yards in their junior season and just under 40 rushing TDs.
Both are regarded as the workhorses for their respective teams and neither would be traded by their teammates for the other. Xavier is a down hill runner, with the ability to carry defenders for multiple yards. Robert is a shifty, outside runner with speed to blow past the defense.
So who is the better back? Who would you want to carry the ball for your team? Let’s look at a few numbers:
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| NAME | XAVIER JOHNSON | ROBERT DAVIS |
| SCHOOL | CHAMBERLAIN | CARROLLWOOD DAY |
| CLASS | 2013 | 2013 |
| POSITION | RB | RB |
| HT | 5-9 | 5-8 |
| WT | 170 | 160 |
| 2011 STATS | ||
| RUSHING | ||
| CARRIES | 216 | 138 |
| YARDS | 1568 | 1832 |
| AVG. | 7.26 | 13.28 |
| YPG | 156.8 | 183.2 |
| LONG | 76 | 90 |
| TDS | 14 | 25 |
| RECEIVING | ||
| RECEPTIONS | 14 | 4 |
| YARDS | 168 | 78 |
| AVG. | 12 | 19.5 |
| YPG | 15.3 | 7.8 |
| LONG | 39 | 70 |
| TDS | 2 | 1 |
| FUMBLES | 1 | 4 |
| FUM LOST | 0 | 4 |
| KOR | ||
| NUM | 6 | 7 |
| YARDS | 169 | 329 |
| AVG | 28.17 | 47 |
| LONG | 20 | 99 |
The biggest and hidden number not present above is the league the two backs compete in. Chamberlain is a 7A school. The second largest football classification in the state of Florida. Outside of the Chiefs’ district competition, Xavier had to line up against Hillsborough, Durant and Newsome. All playoff and larger classification teams.
Robert Davis and his Carrollwod Day Patriots play in one of the smaller classification in Florida. Robert’s talent is obvious and numbers are impressive. However, no team on the Patriots schedule is above a 3A classification.
With that said, both backs averaged over 150 yards rushing per game and over 7 yards per carry.