Prep notebook: Star running backs making headlines early this football season

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Sep. 1—Some things in life are certain, such as death and taxes, according to the cliché.

But, in this area, local football teams finding a go-to running back almost seems like even more of a sure thing.

Last year, seven local running backs eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing with another five rushing for at least 700 yards. Two games into the 2026 season, that success hasn't changed.

Multiple running backs have quickly emerged as stars, two of whom will be playing each other this week in the annual River City Rivalry game between Decatur and Austin.

Decatur picked up its first win of the season this past week against Grissom 20-12, and running back Isaiah Allen was a big reason why. The senior rushed 21 times for 105 yards and a touchdown. This was a followup to a great first-game performance, when he rushed 20 times for 145 yards and a score against Buckhorn.

Across town, it hasn't been the start to the season that Austin envisioned. The Black Bears are 0-2 for the first time since 2022, when they finished 7-4. But that hasn't stopped senior Aidan Davis from being a bright spot. So far, Davis has rushed 45 times for 256 yards and three touchdowns. That includes a 23-carry, 175-yard and two-touchdown performance this past Friday in a 38-21 loss at Sparkman.

Those two backs will lead their respective teams against each other this week in the 64th meeting between Decatur and Austin. Decatur leads the all-time series 37-26, but Austin has won 10 of the last 11 meetings.

Here's who else is padding the stat sheets and making headlines by toting the rock this season:

—Tanner's Isaiah Pryor had 11 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 35-6 win over Hanceville. Pryor has rushed for 277 yards and three scores in two games, and the Rattlers are 2-0 for the first time since 2015.

—East Lawrence's Cayne McClure rushed for 145 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries as the Eagles defeated Colbert Heights 28-18. It was new coach Jamie Suggs' first win.

—Falkville's Kai Lawrimore rushed for 185 yards as the Blue Devils edged Danville 46-29 in the first meeting between the two since 2023.

—Hatton's Nyzae Gamble rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown in a 48-18 win over Lawrence County after rushing for 128 yards and a score in a 27-20 win over Brooks the week prior. Lawrence County's Tavian Jones followed up a 252-yard, four-touchdown performance in the first week with 125 yards against Hatton.

—Athens' Kaydon Bledsoe had 18 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-21 loss to Bob Jones. Bledsoe has 276 yards and four scores so far this season.

—West Morgan combined for 258 yards rushing in a 28-21 loss to Madison Academy. Jabarie Wiggins (75), Kylen Stover (65), Jordan Taylor (61) and Jakobe Stevenson (54) all rushed for over 50 yards, with the Rebels averaging 6 yards per carry.

—Hartselle's Maddox Southern (73) and Jai Morrow (71) combined for 144 yards and 5 yards per carry in a 14-9 loss to Cullman. Southern rushed for 105 yards and a score in the first game against Bob Jones.

—Ardmore's Javean Riddle rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-21 loss to Arab.

— caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2

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