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From left, Raymond Sanders (Stephenson), Mack Brown (ML King), Ken Malcome (Southwest DeKalb).
Running backs carry the load for county teams
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchmp.com
The state of Georgia has had its share of dominating high school running backs. In the late 1970s, Herschel Walker brought national attention to the position while he was rewriting state record books at Johnson County High School.
There have been many outstanding backs before and since Walker, and DeKalb County has had its share. This year may be one of the deepest crops of running backs in the county, led by top recruit Mack Brown of ML King.
Brown is one of three county running backs who have already committed to Southeastern Conference schools. A Florida commit, the 5-11, 185-pound Brown is a speedster who gained 1,660 yards and scored a county-high 21 touchdowns as a junior. Brown, who runs the 40 in 4.38 seconds, averaged more than nine yards per carry.
Stephenson senior Raymond Sanders has committed to Kentucky, and Southwest DeKalb’s Ken Malcome has committed to Georgia. Sanders was a big part of Stephenson’s ground game last season and will be again this year. He ran for 1,305 yards with 14 touchdowns. Malcome, despite missing four games last season with knee and ankle injuries, still ran for 980 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Several other running backs return after gaining at least 1,000 yards in 2008. Stone Mountain’s Michael Gilbert ran for 1,110 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore.
St. Pius and Marist, which operate out of the run-heavy wishbone offense, return two of the top ground gainers in the county. At Marist, fullback Matt Connors gained 1,100 yards and was part of a backfield that piled up more than 2,300 yards rushing last season. That offense helped propel Marist to the Class AAAA state championship game. St. Pius fullback Cole Moon, who has an offer from Georgia State, ran for 1,300 yards last season.
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