Oglethorpe County must replace one of its most decorated running backs in program history this season.
Jake Turner’s 1,318 rushing yards in 2023 set an OCHS single-season record and earned him the title of Region 5-A Division 1 Offensive Player of the Year. As Turner sets to suit up for Berry College this fall, his heirs in the backfield are hoping to etch their names beside similar lofty accomplishments.
“The loss of Jake was big, but I feel as though the rest of the backfield is going to handle their roles very well,” said junior running back O’Maury Huggs, who was third on the team in rushing yards per game last season. “This year, we don’t just have one back that can do it all, we have multiple who contribute a different type of style to the backfield.”
Instead of a singular replacement pulling the weight of Turner’s absence, coach Mike Holland aims to restore his backfield by committee. Huggs, senior Jordan Johnson and junior Payton Prince are all poised to play substantial roles at the position.
“We’ll have packages with two running backs on the field at the same time, so we’ve got three (players) to make two (on-field spots),” Holland said.
Huggs identifies himself as a “bruiser” who can provide consistent yardage between the tackles, but also can stretch plays downfield. He said his eyes are set on eclipsing Turner’s record-breaking yardage total from 2023.
Johnson, known for his abilities as an all-region cornerback and for his explosiveness at slot receiver, will see consistent snaps in the backfield for the first time in his high school career. The senior leader said he’s up to the challenge of being used in three different positions.
“I feel like I’m in shape, and I’m going to be able to manage it,” he said. “I feel like the running backs responded great (to increased roles). We have three great running backs that will be towing it down the field this year.”
Prince, the least experienced of the three on offense, was praised for his speed on the edge by his teammates. His downfield vision is his best characteristic, he said.
“I didn’t play last year, but I was still devastated by the sum of the losses we had,” he said. “I’m just trying to make a big impact on the season and make my name and the team known to the state and show people that Oglethorpe can compete with any level of talent.”
Finding a successor to replenish Turner’s individual numbers in the stat book is a hefty burden. Still, Holland and his new-look backfield are confident that Oglethorpe County’s run game will thrive in the aggregate.
“Those guys have been doing an outstanding job up front,” Holland said. “It’s definitely going to be a rotation to try to keep those guys fresh.”