BATTLE CREEK – The B.O.B. is back and better than ever.
The Best of Battle Creek series in the Enquirer is back for another year and again will include all the teams in the area.
Each week throughout the fall, we are going to ask, “Who is the Best of Battle Creek?” as we look at each position in football among the city/area high school teams.
Nominations for each position have come from the city/area coaches with a little information on each player. It will be a tougher list to make this year as we expand the field, but once we do, then it will be up to the Enquirer readers to decide who is the B.O.B.?
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
Battle Creek Enquirer High School Football 2025: Your guide to total coverage
Each week we will give readers choices and open our online poll for voting, with a winner decided by the following Monday.
Next up are the running backs on the city/area football teams.
Here are the nominations:
Elijah Bowron
School: Climax-Scotts
Class: Junior
Why he is on the list: Elijah Bowron has stepped in as a starting running back for Climax-Scotts after graduation losses left the Panthers without any returning starters in the backfield. Bowron has had a big start to his junior year and had a season-high 191 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns in a win over Lenawee Christian.
Isaiah Eakins-Gray
School: Pennfield
Class: Junior
Why he is on the list: After a standout season on the junior varsity last year, Isaiah Eakins-Gray has had a great start to his varsity career, averaging over 100 yards a game in three games. Showing great vision and a good combination of speed and size, he has been a workhorse for the Panther offense.
Camari Hampton
School: Harper Creek
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: Camari Hampton was a part-time starter for the Beavers in 2024 and was a big part of an offense that broke the school record for total offensive yards last season. Hampton has helped Harper Creek to a 2-1 start this season as the team has leaned on the running game. A key leader on the field and in the weight room.
Royale Fleming
School: Coldwater
Class: Sophomore
Why he is on the list: Part of a strong group of running backs for Coldwater, Royale Fleming has been a dual threat for the Cardinals as a runner and a reciever out of the backfield. In a passing offense for Coldwater, Fleming gives the Cardinals options from the running back spot.
Mubarrack Jubril
School: Battle Creek Central
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: Starting running back for a BCC team that has had its best start since at 2-1. Mubarrack Jubril gives the Bearcats a solid running game while the offense is looking to move the ball through the air.
Brogan Lightfoot
School: St. Philip
Class: Junior
Why he is on the list: Due to injuries, Brogan Lightfoot ended up playing where needed last year as a sophomore and made an impact with over 600 yards of total offense, playing in the 8-player division and earning all-city honors. With good speed and the ability to hit the hole hard, Lightfoot is leading St. Philip in rushing this year in the early going with over 100 yards per game.
Akin Olapade
School: Marshall
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A returning starter for Marshall with over 1,000 all-purpose yards last year as a junior. A bruising running back with good speed, Akin Olapade has shown the ability to get the tough yards and also catch the ball out of the backfield. He is averaging 6.2 yards per carry this season and has eight touchdowns.
Jonah Ranes
School: Galesburg-Augusta
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A senior captain, Jonah Ranes is a returning starter for the Rams and leading rusher through three games. Ranes has 469 yards rushing and five touchdowns, going over 100 yards in each game so far.
Austin Wildermuth
School: Lakeview
Class: Senior
Why he is on the list: A returning starter at the running back spot, Austin Wildermuth has been a workhorse for the Spartans this season. The bruising tailback can get the tough yards and also break free for explosive plays. He is the leading rusher for Lakeview through three weeks.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Vote: Who is the best high school running back in football in Battle Creek area?
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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