Peoria’s Elite Running Backs Ready to Lead 2026 IHSA Football Season
The 2026 Illinois High School Association football season is already generating buzz in the Peoria region, where a cluster of talented running backs is poised to shape the competitive landscape. With teams posting winning records last year, the focus has shifted to individual rushers who can turn modest carries into game‑changing plays.
Deshaun Anderson, a 5‑foot‑8 junior from Peoria High, may be modest in stature but his 81‑yard effort on just seven carries last season hinted at big‑play potential. The team finished 9‑3, and Anderson’s burst could become a cornerstone of the squad’s offense.
Bradyn Brewer, a 5‑foot‑10 junior at Farmington High School, logged 114 rushes for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns. His consistency helped the Rockets to a solid campaign, and his work ethic suggests he will be a key factor in the upcoming year.
At Peoria Notre Dame, senior Dallas Harder stands out with 1,230 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 111.8 yards per game. His size at 6‑foot‑2 gives him a physical edge, and his performance helped the team remain among the top contenders in the Catholic League.
Richwoods’ Micah Hunt, a 5‑foot‑7 junior, contributed 418 yards and three scores, while East Peoria’s Rafael “RJ” Jackson, a senior, sits just 60 yards from the program’s all‑time rushing record with 2,270 career yards. Both players are expected to push the limits as they approach their senior seasons.
Other notable names include Olympia’s Jimmy Lollar, who amassed 1,750 yards and 21 touchdowns on 253 carries; Macomb’s Drake May, who posted 1,138 yards and 15 scores with seven 100‑plus‑yard games; Monmouth‑Roseville’s Landon Montroy, who reached 1,247 yards and 20 touchdowns; Dunlap’s Jayden Schmick, who added 923 yards and 20 scores; and Morton’s Keenan Smith, who led his team with 851 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Each of these athletes brings a distinct skill set, from power running to elusive cuts, and their teams’ varying records set the stage for a dynamic 2026 season.