Statistically speaking, they are some of the finest running backs to ever call the L-L League home.
During their time in the league, some were bob-and-weave scatbacks, some were speed demons who thrived in the open field, and some were slug-it-out, run-between-the-tackles fullbacks.
Some went on to college careers and some of them are even back working in the L-L League.
So which one of them would you want carrying the football as your feature back?
Here’s our list, in alphabetical order …
Roman Clay, Lancaster Catholic, class of 2013 — The L-L League’s all-time leading rusher with 5,940 yards, including a program and league record 2,497 yards last fall. … Third-leading rusher in District 3 history is a rising freshman at Kent State. … L-L League record-holder with a single-game mark of 442 rushing yards, set last fall vs. Dallastown. … Bruiser with breakaway speed, and helped the Crusaders win not one but two PIAA Class AA championships.
VIDEO: ROMAN CLAY COMMITS TO KENT STATE
VIDEO: ROMAN CLAY INTERVIEW AFTER FINAL PREP GAME
Austin Hartman, Cocalico, class of 2010 — When you think Cocalico, you think fullback. And when you think Cocalico fullbacks, you almost immediately think of Hartman, a bruising back who took the ball over and over and over. … Finished his career with 5,107 yards; he’s one of just three L-L League backs to hit the magical 5,000-yard mark, joining Clay and Tommy Long. … Kid was a warrior, often times playing hurt, but always dragging would-be tacklers behind him.
Jaren Hayes, Cedar Crest, class of 2001 — Speed, speed and even more speed helped the former Falcons’ standout pile up 4,882 yards. … Once rushed for 400 yards in a game vs. Hempfield, and blew up many a secondary with his incredible wheels. … Played defensive back for Michigan State.
Kevin Kelley, Conestoga Valley, class of 2009 — Would put Kelley in the scatback category; really good shake-and-baker who made people miss, operating out of then-coach Tom Nichols’ vaunted 1-back set. … Four-year starter finished with 4,991 yards and played for Millersville University after his days in Buckskin Country.
PODCAST: INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN KELLEY AT MILLERSVILLE
Mike Kitchen, Lebanon, class of 1998 — Kind of in the same mold as Clay, in that Kitchen could squeeze through the line of scrimmage, then beat you with his feet once he got to the edge. … Piled up 4,366 yards for the Cedars, and joined Tommy Long and Hayes as three of the best backs Lebanon County has ever produced.
Tommy Long, Lebanon Catholic, class of 1996 — During his days with the now defunct Beavers, Long was the ultimate scatback, piling up a Lebanon County-record 5,662 yards. That was the league’s record for 17 years before Clay came along and shattered that mark. … Long was the first league player to hit 2,000 yards during the regular season. … He’s back in the league; Long is Annville-Cleona’s athletic director.
Mike Madara, Donegal, class of 1999 — When you think of Donegal football, you think of the Wing-T. And Madara was one of the best Wing-T fullbacks not only at Donegal, but also in league history. … Bruiser and thumper back finished his career with 4,197 yards, and kept the Indians’ never-ending ground attack churning.
Tab Musser, Cocalico, class of 1996 — Another Eagles’ slug-it-out fullback who thrived in then-coach Phil Kauffman’s dominating Wing-T attack. … Before Clay’s 442-yard masterpiece vs. Dallastown in Week 1 last fall, Musser had the L-L League record with a 404-yard, single-game performance in 1996 (against Long and Lebanon Catholic, by the way). … Finished his prep career with 4,092 yards — giving he and Hartman a combined 9,199 yards as Eagles’ fullbacks. Wow.
Deron Thompson, Warwick, class of 2011 — Before Clay’s eye-popper season last fall, Thompson had the L-L League single-season mark with 2,135 yards, which he piled up in his amazing senior season in 2010 (one year after coming back from a serious leg injury in 2009). … He was the second league back to hit 2,000 yards during the regular season. … Like Clay, a real bruiser between the tackles, but breakaway speed once he got in the open. … Set to begin his redshirt sophomore season for Penn State.
PODCAST: DERON THOMPSON INTERVIEW AFTER WARWICK SENIOR SEASON
Now it’s your turn.
Which former L-L League running back would you pick to be your feature back for a season?
Please give us your vote.
And please chime in about our list in the comment section below, and be sure to give us your thoughts about our list, and other former L-L League running backs you’d include.