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Top Running Backs Reside in Warren
A future prospect report from David Baugh (Worm02):
Top Running Backs Reside in Warren
by David Baugh
The city of Warren is no stranger when it comes to good football. Many great athletes from this city have made their mark at the high school level and they have used their talents to put themselves through college. With three of the states top TB's in Howland's Lance Smith, JFK Anthony Elzy, and Harding's Dan Herron all residing in the Warren area, this trend is sure to continue in the near future.
Senior-to-be, Lance Smith, is a 5'10'' 195lbs speedster who has blossumed in the Tigers stacked-I offense. His moves remind me a lot of incoming Florida St. Freshman WR Fred Rouse, the nations top WR in 2005. Smith is a nightmare for opposing defenses, especially in the open field. When he finds the hole, he is off to the races, a race that he rarely loses. Despite the questions of his height, Lance is a lock for the Big 10.
Anthony Elzy is one of the better backs that I have seen in recent memory. He's a tireless runner who will carry the ball every snap if he has to. Opposing defenses know that Elzy is getting the ball, yet many are unable to contain him. As a Jr. in 2004, Elzy averaged over 10 yards per carry and finished 2nd in the state to Hoban's Tyrell Sutton, Ohio's all-time leading rusher, in rushing yardage, which is pretty impressive for a first year starter. Elzy has nice moves, but his first instinct is to run over defenders. Many schools are trying to get in on this 6'0 190+ pound phenom, and the scary thing is he's just getting started.
At this stage of his career, Jr-to-be Dan Herron, is ahead of Smith and Elzy. Herron is a tough runner who just hits the hole at full speed. He doesn't have the moves of Smith, but he will shake and wiggle his way through traffic if he has to. When injuries took it's tole on Warren Harding early in 2004, Herron stepped up to the plate like a man on the mission. He rushed for 279yds. and scored 4 total TDs (3 rushing and 1 receiving) at Akron Hoban in the regular season finale, showing the state just how far he has come in his development as a player. Herron has set his standards even higher for 2005, so people can expect to hear much more from this rising star in the near future.
All eyes will be on these young men in 2005. The bar has been raised and many goals have been set. The sky's the limit for these three bright young stars, each of them living no more than 10 miles apart. The city of Warren, Ohio, is showing no signs of slowing down it's production of top notch talent. Smith, Elzy, and Herron are only three of the many names that will echo across the state this fall from one of the most talent-rich areas in the state of Ohio, and only time will tell just how loud that echo will get.
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06-17-2005, 12:48 AM
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