When a running back hits 1,000 yards in a season, it’s kind of a big deal. At least it used to be. Now, the standard for an individual successful season on the ground appears to be 2,000 yards rushing in a season.
But what if two running backs on the same football team hit 1,000 rushing yards in a season? That should count for something, right? That feat is a rare occurrence, correct?
Truthfully, it’s not as rare as you might think.
Accomplishments like this are impressive, yes. But given the fact that most Pennsylvania football teams follow a running orientation on offense, seeing two backfield mates each eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in the same season is not all that rare.
Part of the reason for the spike in this statistic comes from the increase in length of the
high school football season. Back in 1988, when the PIAA playoffs were in their
inaugural season, teams that qualified for the state finals played a maximum of 14 games. Nowadays, the eight teams that qualify for Hershey play a total of 16 games.
Back in the 1910s and 1920s, teams played maybe eight, nine, or ten game schedules. A feat like two 1,000-yard rushers in those days was practically unheard of. But today, assuming a 16-game schedule, two backs each only needs to average 62.5
yards per game to hit the mark.
The feat has happened 43 total times from 2002 to 2008. Nine teams, including three of the eight PIAA state finalists, had at least two backs surpass the 1,000 yard mark in 2007.
In the last seven years, 12 of the teams which possessed two 1,000-yard rushers played for a PIAA championship. Seven of these 12 teams won PIAA titles.
At least one PIAA champion has had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers since 2003. Bethlehem Liberty kept the streak intact with its overtime victory against Bethel Park.
There are three trios of 1,000-yard rushers on this list: 2005 Montoursville, 2007 Serra Catholic, and 2008 West Catholic. Despite the notion that to win a PIAA title, you must run the ball effectively, none of these teams won PIAA titles.
Below is a list of the 1,000-yard backfield duos (and trios) in the same season, since 2002:
2002: James Roderick & Ryan Stewart, Archbishop Carroll
2003: Jarryd Moyer & Jeremiha Hunter, Manheim Central*
2003: Danny Jones & John Shaw, Saint Joseph’s Prep
2003: TJ Turpack & Joe Tuzze, Lakeland
2004: Nick McConnell & Tobias Robinson, Cedar Crest
2004: Henry Hynoski & Dan Latorre, Southern Columbia*
2004: Colin Striefsky & Joe Tuzze, Lakeland
2005: Dan Persa & Charles Irvin, Bethlehem Liberty
2005: Dan Geigerich & Nate Nix, Thomas Jefferson
2005: Henry Hynoski & Kyle Connaghan, Southern Columbia*
2005: Luke Ellison, Luke Trick, & Garrett Cillo, Montoursville
2006: Dan Persa & Ahkeem Smith, Bethlehem Liberty
2006: Drew Astorino & Ryan Skelton, General McLane*
2006: Max Kutz & Joe Galbraith, Brookville
2006: Dom DeCicco & Brian Baldrige, Thomas Jefferson
2006: Tom McFarland & Matt Feeney, Pottsville Area
2006: Randy Nichols & Craig Chopko, Lakeland
2007: Arthur James & Orlando Torres, Thomas Jefferson*
2007: Jeff Knox & Andrew Taglienetti, Pittsburgh Central Catholic*
2007: Rob Hollomon & Raymond Maples, West Catholic
2007: Adam Harris & Jake Lamphere, Towanda
2007: Kyle Fisher & Kyle Keller, Cocalico
2007: Bill D’andera & Joe Jelinek, Mercyhurst Prep
2007: TJ Heatherington, Chris Loving, & Isaiah Jackson, Serra Catholic
2007: Josh Cillo & Zach Kreamer, Montoursville Area
2007: Matt Falcone & Jeffrey Noyes, Palmerton
2008: Alex Schumde & AJ Fenton, Erie McDowell
2008: Mike Sinosky & Tommy Burgan, Portage Area
2008: Kyle Fisher & Austin Hartman, Cocalico
2008: Cody Haupt & Josh Cillo, Montoursville Area
2008: Brendan Brader & Anthony Gonzalez, Bethlehem Liberty*
2008: Rob Hollomon, Raymond Maples, & Curtis Drake, West Catholic
2008: Keenan Ellison & James Chest, Saegertown
2008: Terry Clark & Matt Nolan, Northern Lebanon
2008: Terry Patrick & Maurice Carter, Aliquippa
2008: Jarrin Campman & Isaiah Morgan, Clearfield Area
2008: Tim Keyser & Jared Bonaquisti, Garnet Valley
2008: Terrell Chesnut & Maika Polamalu, Pottsgrove
2008: Brian Nickel & Roman San Doval, Shady Side Academy
2008: Steve Roth & Sam Springer, Southern Columbia
2008: Bryan Dean & Quilian Arnold, Neshaminy
2008: Matt Falcone & Jeffrey Noyes, Palmerton
2008: Eric Gilbert & Laquan Frazier, Academy Park
* = PIAA champions (7)
5 responses to “1,000-yard backfield duos aren’t as rare as you think”
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Lakeland also did it in 2006 with Randy Nichols and Craig Chopko
Lakeland did it back-to-back: 2003 — T.J. Turpack and Joe Tuzze and 2004 — Colin Striefsky and Joe Tuzze
I am pretty sure the two running backs from Neshaminy each had 1,000 yard seasons this year. Quillan Arnold and Bryan Dean.
An addition to your list – 2008: Steve Roth & Sam Springer, Southern Columbia. The first 1000yd pair at SCA since Joe Murphy & Ricco Rosini in the mid 90s.