Rising Stars: Who Will Dominate Marion County's Running Back Battle?

Marion County, Florida, USA - The excitement is palpable as the Marion County high school football scene gears up for another exhilarating season. In the heart of this action, running backs take center stage, not just with their athletic prowess but as vital cogs in their teams’ ambitions. The running back position, often overlooked in the NFL spotlight, holds significant importance locally. As Ocala.com reports, establishing a robust running game has been crucial for the playoff success of both Dunnellon and Vanguard last season, and this year promises to continue that legacy.

One player to keep a keen eye on is Nicholas Mills from Belleview, who is emerging as a leading running back in the county. Alongside him, Kez Rivers from Forest and Wyatt Lucas from Trinity Catholic are strong contenders vying for the title of top running back. This 2025 season will be pivotal in deciding the all-county rankings for these athletes.

Projected Feature Backs

The depth of talent at Marion County schools is impressive, with an array of running backs poised to make a difference for their teams:

• Belleview:
  • Nicholas Mills, Senior: Aiming to shine as one of Ocala’s top running backs.
  • Keondre Fillmore, Senior: Shifting between outside linebacker and running back.
• Dunnellon:
  • Tony Tanner, Junior: A notable kick returner with 340 all-purpose yards last season.
  • Kam Wheeler, Junior: Joining a running back crew that lost a notable percentage of their rushing yards.
• Forest:
  • Kez Rivers, Junior: Also taking on outside linebacker duties.
  • Jayden Serrano, Senior: Led his team in rushing touchdowns for the previous season.
• Lake Weir:
  • Kevin Lucas, Junior: Worked with limited playing time last season.
  • Enrique Santiago, Sophomore: Contributed defensively in two varsity games.
• North Marion:
  • Will Jingozian, Senior: Transitioning from slot receiver to running back.
  • Jamarion Whittier, Senior: A transfer from Forest, expected to make an impactful entrance.
• Trinity Catholic:
  • Wyatt Lucas, Senior: Coming off a season where he was the team leader in rushing yards and touchdowns.
• Vanguard:
  • James Pullings, Junior: Known for his sustained productivity; eyeing a breakout performance this season.
  • Sergio Gunsby, Junior: A versatile athlete capable of playing various positions.
• West Port:
  • Chris Davis, Junior: A physical runner anticipated to catch opponents off guard this season.

Playoff Picture

As for the playoffs, it’s shaping up to be a thrilling night, with three local teams hitting the field this Friday. North Marion, boasting a 7-3 record, will play a road game against Eastside, seeking to settle scores from their earlier encounter. Meanwhile, Dunnellon, with a 5-5 record, faces off against Cocoa, a formidable opponent at 6-3. Lastly, Vanguard, also at 7-3, will host River Ridge, who holds a record of 6-4, in a bid for a deep playoff run as noted by Yahoo Sports.

As teams take the field, the performances of these talented running backs could very well determine the fates of their schools in the upcoming playoff battles. Fans can look forward to exciting games, promising young athletes, and the spirit of community that Marion County football embodies.