By admin 
There is an old saying in football that in order to win championships, a team must run the ball and defend.
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In this era of wide-open offensive attacks, a sound run game has proven to be a staple for title teams. The Folsom Bulldogs do not traditionally field 1,000-yard rushers, but they do run the ball in crunch time or to eat clock, and have a bevy of backs to carry the load in their quest to win another CIF Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF State crown, including Joey Eyerman, Osias Bolton and Bronson Bambino.
The returning runners for the 2026 high school campaign include the Sacramento area’s leading rusher in Dvaughn Norwood of Bella Vista in Fair Oaks, the second leading rusher from the region in Losi Asiata of Sutter and three 1,000-yard rushers from Liberty Ranch in Galt.
Here’s a closer peek at top returning backs, each of them sure to thank the linemen who do their part in the trenches.
Losi Asiata, Sutter Huskies
The 6-foot, 210-pound senior rushed for the third most yards in Sacramento last season, scooting for 1,641 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Sutter, a storied small-school powerhouse, is the defending CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V champion.
Xavier Balderas, Foothill Mustangs
Expect the 5-9, 205-pound senior to carry will carry more of the load in 2026.
Last season, Balderas rushed for 561 yards and nine touchdowns under program-building coach Alex Gomes.
Wyatt Corriea, Liberty Ranch Hawks
The 5-7, 170-pound senior last fall ran for 1,152 yards, averaging a whopping 13.1 yards per attempt, and 13 scores.
He also made 96 tackles, 16.5 for loss, as a ball-hawking linebacker for an 11-1 team.
Nigel Flowers, Monterey Trail Mustangs
The speedy 5-9, 170-pound sophomore was a rare freshman starter for the powerhouse program in the Elk Grove Unified School District, and he’s poised to carry more of the load.
He went for 589 yards and five touchdowns in eight games last season.
Ethan Friedel, Rio Vista Rams
The 6-0, 205-pound junior is a third-year varsity starter, having gone for 1,088 yards and 17 scores in 2025 after rushing for 685 and 14 as a freshman in nine games.
A deeper playoff run is the goal for the small-school Rams.
Errol Garner, Argonaut Mustangs
The 6-1, 175-pound senior is a third-year varsity player.
He is coming off of a 1,028-yard rushing season and 11 touchdowns for a playoff team.
Blake Hastings, Woodcreek Timberwolves
The 5-9, 185-pound senior rushed for 754 yards and 11 touchdowns for a program that won its first section crown, taking Division III honors.
Hastings provides experience as a third-year varsity starter.
Graeson Howard, Colfax Falcons
The 5-10, 175-pound senior rushed for 904 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago for the storied small-school Placer County program, and he was in on 25 tackles.
The Falcons figure to be another league and section contender.
Robert Jackson III, McClatchy Lions
The 5-10, 175-pound junior showed flash and dash for the Lions of Sacramento, rushing for 714 yards in nine games and catching 31 passes for 314 yards and four scores.
He looks the part of playmaker in famed Hughes Stadium.
Joe Lara, Liberty Ranch Hawks
The 5-8, 170-pound senior averaged 8.3 yards a carry in going for 1,571 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Galt school that produced one of its greatest seasons.
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A section crown is the goal now.
K’Aden Minor, Destiny Christian Lions
The 5-9, 170-pound junior burner is a third-year varsity player, having rushed for 471 yards and eight scores last fall and catching four touchdowns.
He will have the benefit of a massive line for a program aiming for a return to the playoffs.
Dvaughn Norwood, Bella Vista Broncos
The 5-10, 175-pound senior led all Sacramento runners last season and was second in the section with a school-record 1,876 yards and 25 touchdowns after going for 532 and two as a sophomore.
Next goal: a playoff team and 2,000 yards.
Andrew Quinn, Liberty Ranch Hawks
The 6-0, 190-pound senior is a third-year varsity starter who has already amassed 2,253 career yards and 25 touchdowns, including 1,517 yards and 16 scores last season.
He also made 105 tackles on defense, 22.5 for loss.
Brody Quinn, Jesuit Marauders
The 5-10, 195-pound senior is a third-year varsity performer who ran for 507 yards and six scores for a playoff team.
Big Red also has speedy runners in the mix in Jeremiah Brannon and Kwanna Smith to run the veer offense.
Cordell Radcliffe, Inderkum Tigers
The 5-11, 210-pound junior is a transfer from Sacramento High, where he rushed for 2,925 yards and 27 touchdowns over two stellar varsity seasons.
He’s also a capable receiver and will surely boost the already talented Tigers.
Evan Santos, Amador Buffaloes
The 5-11, 175-pound senior rushed for 775 yards and 11 touchdowns for the small-town Sutter Creek school that reached the playoffs.
He’s aiming for a deeper playoff run and a 1,000-yard campaign.
Declan Shindelbower, West Park Panthers
The 5-11, 180-pound senior is a third-year varsity player for the Roseville program, rushing 771 yards and 10 touchdowns and catching 15 passes for an average of 7.9 yards per reception in 2025.
Can he be a 1,000-yard back?
Cash Stevens, Whitney Wildcats
The 5-10, 205-pound senior offers hope and talent for a Placer County program that has experienced highs and lows in recent years.
He ran for 570 yards last fall with eight touchdowns and had 37 receptions for 480 yards and four scores to go with 82 tackles on defense.
Hank Watson, Yuba City Honkers
The 5-10, 175-pound senior expects to lead another solid rushing attack, having gone for 872 yards and five scores last fall.
He also passed for a touchdown and caught one.
Jayson Williams, Grant Pacers
The 6-foot, 195-pound senior rushed for 541 yards and eight scores a year ago in six games.
He has the offensive line and drive to aim for 1,500 yards or more for a program that has won three CIF section and two CIF State crowns in recent years.
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