Over the years there have been some great high school running backs that have

called the Evergreen State home.

There

are names such as Terry Metcalf and Bobby Moore, who later changed his name to

Ahmad Rashad, who ruled the gridiron in the late 1960’s. Joe Steele and Phil

Carter who were the class of the 1970’s. Greg Lewis, Mike Vindivich, and Rick

Fenney lit up the 1980’s with stellar backfield play. And the 1990’s were

highlighted by the blazing speed of Paul Arnold, the bruising style of Tyree

Clowe, and the combination of power and speed by Corey Dillon.

This year Shelton Sampson and Ryan Cole are

looking to move their names onto that list.

There were many great high school running backs from the 1920’s through the

1960’s. There are not records that recorded the statistics previous to this

time. Yet names like George Wilson and Chuck Carroll will not go forgotten.

Of the players selected to the running back list seven of the eleven running

backs featured went on to play college football for the Washington Huskies.

Here is a list of the best running backs in recent history. Without question

there are other outstanding backs that deserve to be on this list. With that

being said, lets meet some of Washington’s finest sons.

Steele is considered by many to be the best high school running back to play

in Washington. Steele had a rare combination of size and speed. At Blanchet

Steele rushed for 3,814 yards and 44 touchdowns. Steele led Blanchet to the 1974

triple-A high school championship. Steele went on to star for the Washington

Huskies, leading the Dawgs to their first Rose Bowl under Don James. Steele left

Washington with the season (1,111) and career (3,091) rushing records. The

Seattle Seahawks drafted Steele, but a knee injury prevented him from playing in

the NFL.

Dillon was blessed with the rare combination of size and speed and used it to

his advantage. Corey was named Metro League player of the year in 1992, rushing

for 1,356 yards. Dillon had academic problems out of high school and had to take

the junior college route to college. Dillon earned his associates of art degree

and matriculated into the University of Washington. Dillon capitalized on his

opportunity and rewrote the University of Washington single season record book.

Dillon finished the season with 1,555 yards, a 141.4-yard per game average, and

22 rushing touchdowns, all UW records. Dillon went on to earn the AFC offensive

rookie of the year award and has had a phenomenal professional career.

Before he changed his name to Ahmad Rashad this fine athlete lit up the

local football fields around the Puget Sound region. Ahmad Rashad made his name

as an outstanding professional wide receiver in the NFL. Bobby Moore was an all

around athlete that ran, passed, and caught the ball in high school. In his

junior and senior seasons Moore ran the ball for 1,382 yards, pulled down 45

passes for 788-yards, and connected on 9 of 17 pass attempts for 220 yards and 5

touchdowns. Moore scored 27 touchdowns in addition to his other statistics.

Moore went on to play his college ball at the University of Oregon.

Terry Metcalf was a special all-around athlete that made big plays.

Metcalf ran, caught, and returned kicks in spectacular fashion. In his senior

season Metcalf rushed for 1,055-yards in nine games. Following his senior season

Metcalf went on to play for Everett Community College and Long Beach State.

Metcalf played six seasons in the NFL earning a reputation as an outstanding

return specialist. Metcalf had kickoff returns for touchdowns of 98 and 99

yards.

Rick was a powerful running back that ran over and through opposing defenses.

This powerful young man bench-pressed 420 pounds and used his strength to his

advantage. In his junior and senior seasons Fenney combined for 2,472-yards and

scored 32-touchdowns. Fenney moved on to play for the University of Washington

and is arguably the best fullback to play at Washington. Fenney led Washington

in rushing in 1985 with 497-yards and a 4.8 yards per carry average, and 5

touchdowns. Fenney followed up his stay at Washington with 5 seasons in the NFL

with the Minnesota Vikings.

Arnold was touted by many as the best running back in the State of

Washington ever. His numbers are impressive with 3,821 career-rushing yards.

Arnold used his blazing speed to get outside and outrun opponents. In his senior

season Arnold rushed for 1,974-yards, 2,555 all-purpose-yards, and 32

touchdowns. Arnold averaged over nine yards per carry. Arnold took his talents

to the University of Washington where he has had limited success to this point.

He has moved from running back to wide receiver for this upcoming season.

Greg Lewis was not the fastest or the strongest running back. Lewis had

outstanding vision and hit the hole hard. Lewis was an instinctive runner that

was a student of the game. Lewis was a smart runner that trusted his blockers

and was not afraid to get the dirty yards inside of the tackles. Lewis rushed

for 1,293-yards as a senior. Lewis attended the University of Washington. He led

Washington in rushing from 1989 to 1990 with back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing

seasons. Lewis ranks 3rd on the all-time UW rushing list with 2,678-yards.

2,379-yards were accumulated in his junior and senior seasons with

18-touchdowns. Lewis went on to play two seasons in the NFL.

Mike Vindivich was a dominant running back for Mount Tahoma High School.

Vindivich rushed for 3,232-yards and 50-touchdowns in leading Mount Tahoma to

back-to-back state championships. Vindivich decided to take his game to the

University of Washington. Mike was plagued with injuries for two consecutive

seasons at Washington and decided to transfer to Pacific Lutheran. Wile at

Pacific Lutheran Vindivich rushed for 934-yards and 17-touchdowns in leading the

Lutes to the NAIA Division II national championship in 1985.

Wilson was a powerful, workhorse type running back that grinded out the

extra yards. Wilson rarely went down with the first hit, often dragging

defenders down the field. In his senior season Wilson rushed for 2,678 yards and

led Ferndale deep into the state playoffs. Following his senior season Wilson

moved on to the University of Washington. Wilson has been a special teams

regular so far and has had the opportunity to rush the ball in mop up duty.

Wilson is still writing out his career at the University of Washington.

Tyree Clowe can best be described as a bowling ball. Clowe was a powerful

running back and ran through opponents. Clowe was happy with the 3 yards and a

cloud of dust rushing style sprinkled in with a long run on occasion. Clowe did

not try to hit the home run rush every play. In 1997 Clowe led the Central

Valley Bears to the 4-A State Championship. Clowe rushed for 2,216-yards,

including a record 254-yards in the state championship game. Clowe followed up

his record setting junior season with 2,436-yards and 30-touchdowns. Clowe’s 5’511

career rushing yards and 68-touchdowns are state records for large schools.

11.) PHIL CARTER - Wilson High School, 1976-78, 5’10",

Phil Carter was a shifty running back that made big plays in the open field.

Carter rushed for 3,012-yards for Wilson High School. Carter moved on to Notre

Dame for college. At Notre Dame Carter rushed for 254-yards as a sophomore

against Michigan State. This feat ranks 2^nd all-time for a single

game rushing effort at Notre Dame. Carter finished his career 2nd on Notre Dame’s

career rushing list with 2,409-yards, out-gaining Irish greats such as Jerome

Bettis and Ricky Watters.

SUMMARY: Over the years there

have been some great running backs that played in Washington. Several more then

have been profiled on this list. There is a solid foundation of high school

football in the state of Washington. Over the years there will be several other

fine running backs that will capture our attention. In doing an article like

this we are celebrating the greatness of these individuals (mentioned or not)

and giving thanks for the entertainment they have brought us.