When we look at top Kansas high school football recruits 2024, we must acknowledge the legendary standards set by the record holders who came before them. DeAngelo Evans of Wichita Collegiate remains undoubtedly the gold standard with an astonishing 8,472 career rushing yards from 1992-95. His 131 career touchdowns still stand as a benchmark for excellence in the state.
Meanwhile, the best high school football teams in Kansas have produced other remarkable talents throughout history. Tanner Wood’s single-game rushing record of 659 yards against Chaparral in 2012 demonstrates the explosive potential of Kansas running backs. Furthermore, current standouts like Ian Premer, nationally ranked #45 as a tight end, and JJ Dunnigan, ranked #180 as a cornerback, are carrying on this tradition of excellence. As we explore kansas high school football records, we’ll see how today’s athletes compare to legends like Cody Whitehair and Darren Sproles, who went on to successful NFL careers after dominating the kansas high school football championships.
Running Back Breaks Kansas High School Rushing Record
Buhler senior Ben Clouse has officially etched his name in the kansas high school football records books. Recently, Clouse delivered an extraordinary performance, rushing for 379 yards on 26 carries while scoring three touchdowns in a commanding 42-20 victory over Circle. This remarkable achievement shattered a school record that had remained untouched for over five decades.
How many yards were gained and in how many games
Clouse’s record-breaking performance is part of an exceptional season showing. Currently, he has accumulated 775 yards in just three games. His season began with 113 yards and a touchdown against Mulvane in Week 1. Subsequently, he followed with an impressive 283 yards on 35 carries and four touchdowns against Augusta in Week 2. His latest 379-yard explosion has established him as one of the most productive backs in Kansas this season.
For perspective, among 2025 kansas high school football recruits, Tucker Goss of Ellsworth leads the state with 980 yards (245.0 per game), followed by Carter Hajek of Nemaha Central with 890 yards (222.5 per game). Clouse’s three-game average of 258.3 yards per contest would place him among the elite rushers in Kansas this season.
Which previous record was broken and by whom
The previous Buhler rushing record stood at 364 yards, set by Mike McCoy back in 1971. Additionally, while Clouse broke his school record, he remains some distance from the all-time Kansas single-game rushing record. That mark belongs to Conway Springs quarterback Tanner Wood, who amassed an astounding 659 yards in a 2012 game.
Among the best high school football teams in kansas historically, career rushing records have been dominated by legends like DeAngelo Evans of Wichita Collegiate, who accumulated 8,472 yards between 1992-1995. More recently, Ky Thomas of Topeka High (7,703 yards) and Bryce Brown of Wichita West (7,209 yards) have established themselves in the record books.
Where and when the record-breaking game occurred
The historic performance took place during a home game at Buhler High School last Friday night. Notably, this achievement has generated significant buzz around kansas high school state football circles. The Crusaders, led by longtime head coach Steve Warner, now turn their focus toward an upcoming Week 5 showdown with Wamego.
Throughout kansas high school football championships history, individual performances like Clouse’s have often translated into team success. As a result, college recruiters closely monitor such breakout games when evaluating top kansas high school football recruits 2024.
How This Performance Compares to Kansas Football History
To truly appreciate Clouse’s achievement, one must understand how it stands against Kansas’ rich running back legacy. Historically speaking, his performances place him among notable company in kansas high school football records.
Comparison with DeAngelo Evans and other top rushers
DeAngelo Evans remains Kansas’ gold standard for running backs, having amassed an astounding 8,472 career rushing yards at Wichita Collegiate between 1992-95. Moreover, Evans holds career records for touchdowns (131) and points scored (822) that have withstood challenges for nearly three decades. In contrast, Michael Hammersmith (White City) accumulated 8,320 career yards between 1997-2000, establishing himself as Evans’ closest historical competitor.
Regarding single-season excellence, Kipp Connell’s 3,382 yards for Claflin in 1998 represents a benchmark that few runners approach. Given Clouse’s current pace, he could potentially challenge some single-season milestones, though eclipsing Connell’s record would require extraordinary consistency.
Where the player ranks in all-time Kansas high school football records
Considering current statistical leaders across the state, Tucker Goss of Ellsworth (980 yards) and Carter Hajek of Nemaha Central (890 yards) represent Clouse’s contemporary competition. Certainly, his trajectory places him among this elite company of the best high school football team in kansas representatives.
Looking at historical rankings, Clouse joins a prestigious lineage that includes Ky Thomas (Topeka High, 7,703 yards) and Bryce Brown (Wichita West, 7,209 yards) among career yardage leaders.
Impact on team’s playoff chances and state championship hopes
Offensively dominant teams traditionally fare well in kansas high school football championships. Teams featuring exceptional running backs often advance deep into the postseason, as evidenced by Smith Center’s 2007 squad that recorded 111 total touchdowns including 93 rushing scores.
For Buhler, Clouse’s productivity significantly enhances their postseason aspirations. Throughout kansas high school state football history, teams with premier rushers typically create matchup problems that translate into playoff success, potentially positioning this squad as legitimate title contenders among top kansas high school football recruits 2024.
Which Teams and Seasons Produced the Best Rushing Stats
Looking back at kansas high school football records, two programs stand out for their historic rushing performances: Smith Center and Holton.
Smith Center’s 2007 season and rushing dominance
Few teams in kansas high school football championships history matched Smith Center’s 2007 juggernaut. Under legendary coach Roger Barta, the Redmen scored an astonishing 844 points in just 13 games for a 64.9 points-per-game average. Their ground attack produced 93 rushing touchdowns, fueling 111 total touchdowns that season. Consequently, they maintained an incredible 63.4-point average margin of victory.
Smith Center’s defense proved equally remarkable, allowing merely 20 points all season. The team recorded 11 consecutive shutouts during a campaign that garnered national attention and inspired New York Times bestseller “Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen”.
Holton’s rushing records and offensive schemes
Holton established itself as another Kansas rushing powerhouse, setting the single-season rushing record with 6,496 yards in 2005. Previously, their 2003 squad averaged 446.4 rushing yards per game. Holton’s commitment to ground dominance dated back to 1999 when they set the state record with 806 rushing attempts in a season.
In recent years, Holton has continued this tradition with a three-headed rushing attack featuring:
- Andrew Shupe (119.5 yards/game)
- Alec Frazier (98.3 yards/game)
- Korban Wilson (94.0 yards/game)
How the current team stacks up against historical powerhouses
Indeed, comparisons between current top kansas high school football recruits 2024 and these historical juggernauts reveal the extraordinary standards established in Kansas. Smith Center’s 54-game winning streak and Holton’s sustained rushing excellence demonstrate why Kansas remains a fertile ground for college recruiters seeking proven running talent.
Altogether, while today’s stars like Clouse produce impressive individual performances, they compete against statistical benchmarks set by teams that revolutionized ground-based offenses in kansas high school state football.
What This Means for Kansas High School Football Recruits
College recruiters across the Midwest have taken notice of standout performances among kansas high school football recruits.
How recruiters are reacting to the performance
Record-breaking rushing displays like Clouse’s typically trigger immediate attention from college programs. Currently, the recruiting landscape for Kansas talent is undergoing a transformation, with marketability and NIL potential becoming factors alongside on-field production. For instance, programs like KU are showing unprecedented interest in homegrown talent, with seven of their 16 verbal commitments coming from Kansas boys.
Potential college offers and recruiting buzz
KU is currently assembling what might become their strongest recruiting class in 25 years, presently ranked #11 nationally according to Rivals. The Jayhawks lead all Big 12 programs in 2026 recruiting. Notable commitments include four-star defensive back JJ Dunnigan from Manhattan (#180 nationally), while Great Bend’s four-star tight end Ian Premer (ranked #45 nationally) remains uncommitted with offers from Kansas State, Iowa State, Notre Dame, Kansas, and Michigan.
Could this player become the next Kansas football legend?
Kansas has historically produced NFL talents like Darren Sproles and Cody Whitehair. Primarily, exceptional rushing performances in kansas high school football championships create pathways toward collegiate success. The state’s rising recruiting profile is evident as Florida, Tennessee, Michigan, and other power programs have secured commitments from top Kansas talents. Essentially, today’s standout rushers have greater visibility in the evolving recruitment landscape dominated by both traditional football metrics and emerging NIL considerations.
Conclusion
Ben Clouse’s remarkable rushing performance stands as a testament to Kansas high school football’s rich tradition of ground-game excellence. Through his 379-yard explosion, Clouse not only shattered a five-decade school record but also positioned himself alongside contemporary standouts like Tucker Goss and Carter Hajek. His three-game average of 258.3 yards certainly places him among elite company in the state.
Kansas football history provides the backdrop against which we measure today’s achievements. Legendary figures such as DeAngelo Evans, whose 8,472 career rushing yards remain the gold standard, have established benchmarks that inspire current athletes. Teams like Smith Center’s 2007 juggernaut and Holton’s rushing powerhouses remind us why Kansas ground attacks command respect nationwide.
The ripple effects of standout performances extend beyond Friday night lights. College recruiters increasingly turn their attention to Kansas talent, evidenced by KU assembling what might become their strongest recruiting class in 25 years. Additionally, programs like Michigan, Notre Dame, and Tennessee now actively pursue top Kansas prospects.
Consequently, players like Clouse represent both the storied past and promising future of Kansas high school football. Their achievements connect generations of athletes while writing new chapters in state record books. The path from Kansas fields to college stadiums and potentially professional careers remains well-traveled, with each record-breaking performance adding to this enduring legacy.
After all, Kansas high school football thrives on these individual moments of brilliance that collectively shape its identity. Whether breaking school records or challenging state marks, these athletes carry forward a tradition built by legends before them while inspiring the next generation of running backs who will someday chase their names in the record books.