Top Southern Illinois Running Backs: Rushing Yards

We have our top five running backs in Southern Illinois as we head into the high school football playoffs. These are ranked by rushing yards.

At #1 is Kaiden Henson, senior running back from Eldorado. Henson and the Eagles missed the playoffs, finishing 3-6, but lost four one score games. All four of those teams made the postseason, and all six of their losses came against playoff teams. Henson rushed for 1,318 yards and 22 touchdowns on 226 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. We won’t get to see Henson in the playoffs, but he had an outstanding season.

At #2 is Jonathan Miller, junior running back from Carterville. Miller has helped lead the Lions to an undefeated regular season heading into the 4A playoffs. Carterville will host Alton Marquette in round one. Miller rushed for 1,312 yards and 15 touchdowns on 159 carries, averaging 8.3 yards per carry.

At #3 is Michael Barner, junior from Fairfield. Barner nearly hit 1,300 yards, sitting at 1,292 with 14 touchdowns on 135 carries, averaging 9.6 yards per carry. The Mules will travel to Petersburg to face PORTA in round one of the 3A playoffs as they try to make it out of the first round for the first time since 2022.

At #4 is Riley Spencer, senior from Benton. Spencer has 1,156 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 165 carries, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. He hit 2,000 career rushing yards in Benton’s last regular season game. The Rangers are undefeated heading into the playoffs and will host St. Joseph Ogden in round one of the 3A playoffs.

At #5 is Jace Weaver, senior from Johnston City. Weaver was just two yards short of the 1,100 yard mark, finishing with 1,098. He also rushed for 16 touchdowns on 108 carries, averaging an impressive 10.2 yards per carry. Weaver helped lead the Indians to their fifth straight postseason appearance and their fourth Black Diamond Conference title in the last five years.

Out of the running backs who are still playing in the postseason, who do you think will have the biggest performance? Or is there someone not on this list who could push their way into it by the end of the playoffs?