3 Time Thousand Yard Rushers are a rare breed indeed

I am a statistician and love to crunch numbers. When you toss a few of those around when talking about 1000 yard rushers in Nebraska high school football, you begin to realize how special these guys are. Oh yes, they couldn't do it without their line and the big boys up front know that, and after giving credit where credit is due, let's consider a few numbers here.

From Class A down to 6-Man football there a approximately 787 backs starting each game each year, quarterbacks included. An average of 90 backs each season reaches the 1000 yard rushing mark. That breaks down to around 11% of the total backs in the entire state. Pretty exclusive group. But, looking back through my recorded history of charting these thousand yard runners, only Sixty, yes 60 runners have ever hit the 1000 yard mark three times in their career. That means only 2.2% of the total of 2,784 backs that ever have run for 1000 yards have ever accomplished this rare feat. Now that's a rare breed.

Even more scarce are RB's who have pulled this off 4 times. Can you hold up two fingers? Mike Brower, who ran for Geneva/Fillmore Central and Brandon Holtorf of Prague are the only two in history that have ever rushed for a thousand yards Freshman-Sophomore-Junior-Senior. Brower did it playing 11-Man football. Holtorf, a quarterback, hit the mark playing 8-man for two seasons and 6-man the final two. Holtorf also passed for over a Grand all 4 years!

The 2013 football season will be an exciting season just for the fact Creighton high school's Jacob Morrill has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Brower and Holtorf as a 4-time 1000 yard rusher. The powerful, patient runner has already amassed 3,934 yards for the Cardinals and I realize you shouldn't pray to the Almighty for things like this, but I certainly hope for a healthy season for the Creighton flyer. Chances like this come around about as often as a total eclipse of the sun. I have my hands folded, Jacob.

So, here is the full list of Nebraska high school running backs that can call themselves three time 1000 yard rushers: (3-year total in parentheses)

4 Time 1000 Yard Rushers:

Mike Brower-Geneva/Fillmore Central - 2000-2003 (6,099)

Brandon Holtorf-Prague - 1998-2000 (5,348)

3 Time 1000 Yard Rushers:

Garrett Kolling-Alma - 2009-2012 (3,912)

Tyler Hamel-Arapahoe - 2004-2006 (4,295)

Luke Lundy-Auburn - 2003-2005 (5,022)

Brent Gatzemeyer-Bancroft-Rosalie - 1983-1985 (5,348)

Aaron Hass-Beemer - 1989-1991 (4,115)

Craig Hass-Beemer - 1988-1979 (4,345)

Adam Broders-Bloomfield - 2004-2007 (5,116)

Alec Galvin-Burwell - 2010/2012 (3,937)

Brett Gumb-Burwell - 2004-2006 (3,737)

Mike Reiman-Butte - 1988-1990 (3,458)

Casey Cozad-Callaway - 1995-1998 (3,136)

Joe Geren-Central City - 1958-1960 (4,604)

Bob Wilkerson-Clay Center - 1986-1988 (4,116)

Scott Gray-Coleridge - 1985-1987 (5,632)

Jacob Morrill-Creighton - 2010-Present (3,934)

Brandon Hagen-Culbertson - 1997-1999 (-----)

Corey Eikmeier-Dodge - 1994-1996 (8,330*) Record Holder

Tyler Paulsen-Dodge - 1997-1999 (5,617)

Darth Tesinsky-East Butler - 1994-1996 (3,835)

Cory Hall-Elwood - 1985-1987 (5,151)

Nate Froeschl-Falls City Sacred Heart - 1992-1994 (3,270)

Jordan Stutzman-Friend - 2001-2003 (4,959)

Mat Korth-Greeley - 1998-2000 (4,256)

Alex Dose-Hampton - 2007-2009 (4,426)

Chad Koch-Hartington Cedar Catholic - 2007-2009 (6,017)

Jim Bargen-Thayer Central - 1998-2000 (3,691)

Mark Crow-Hershey - 1984-1986 (3,482)

Clint Belina-Howells - 2007-2009 (6,071)

Shane Belohrad-Leigh - 1981-1983 (4,008)

Russ Kuhr-Leigh - 1984-1986 (3,227)

Charles Wilson-Madison - 1992-1995 (5,292)

Lynn Menke-Marquette - 1982-1984 (4,307)

Jared Wilson-Maywood - 1988-2000 (3,606)

Jac Bailey-McCool Junction - 2010-2012 (3,687)

Isaac Aakre-Millard North - 2010-2012 (5,231)

Steven Dent-Mullen - 2002-2004 (7,903)

Zach Call-Mullen - 2008-2010 (4,754)

Dave Schreiter-Nebr. City Lourdes - 1976-1977 (3,342)

Jason Morris-Nebraska City Lourdes - 1987-1989 (4,280)

Joe Brinkman-Nemaha Valley - 2002-2004 (3,267)

James Kruger-Norris - 2010-2012 (4,826)

Danny Woodhead-North Platte - 2001-2003 (4,891)

Ahman Green-O. North/O. Central - 1992-1994 (3,810)

Kevin Bretschneider-Pierce - 1976-1978 (5,114)

David Wragge-Plainview - 2004-2006 (4,002)

Justin Blatchford-Ponca - 2005-2007 (3,634)

Jeff Luebbe-Seward - 1999-2001 (5,178)

Luke Glenn--Shelton - 2010-2012 (4,383)

Dan Filipi-Shickley - 1992-1994 (3,153)

Nolan Beyer-Sidney St. Pats - 1982-1984 (3,585)

Doug Wendell-Spencer-Naper - 1989-1991 (4,331)

Kyle Kasperbauer-St. Paul - 1998-2000 (3,831)

Devin Empfield-Stapleton - 1979-1981 (4,137)

Luke Anderson-Sutherland - 1998-2000 (5,300)

Randon McKain-Sutherland - 2007-2009 (3,601)

Mason Ormesher-Valentine - 2004-2006 (4,090)

John Farnik-Verdigre - 1984-1986 (4,031)

Taylor Dixon-Wauneta-Palisade - 2005-2007 (3,724)