Kyle Brown had one of the best high school football seasons ever by a Central Oregon running back this past fall. He ran for a Bend Lava Bear record 31 touchdowns on his way to earning first-team All Intermountain Conference and second-team All State. He finished the season with an eye-popping stat line of 1,707 yards on 189 carries for an average of 9 yards per carry. Born and raised in Bend, the senior is looking forward to a big track season this Spring:

• Central Oregon Athlete – Do you play any sports other than football?
• Kyle Brown – I run track, the 100 200 and i long jump.
• COA – What are your hobbies and interests?
• KB - I like to make music.
• COA – Do you have plans set for next year?
• KB – I want to play college football and I’m just waiting to make my decision.
• COA – How were you able to find your way into the End Zone so many times this season?
• KB – I had alot of good blocking upfront with and with the fullbacks.
• COA – What’s the best part about playing Lava Bear football?
• KB – The best part is the tradition and the coaching.
• COA – What’s next for you as far as sports go?
• KB – Right now im lifting and running getting ready for track.

Bend High’s Kyle Brown has ran for an eye-popping 30 touchdowns this season. That along with his 1,546 regular-season rushing yards have to put him among the best prep running backs ever in Central Oregon. So who do you think is the best prep ball carrier the area has ever had? One clearly has numbers that stand out amongst the rest, but here are a few to consider:

UPDATED: 11/20/09

Ash Gibson, Mountain View – In 2007, Gibson ran for 2,109 yards and 27 touchdowns (both school records) on his way to leading the Cougars to an undefeated regular season (11-1 overall), their first outright IMC Championship, a state semifinal berth, and he was named the IMC’s Most Valuable Player.

Cory McCaffrey, Sisters – McCaffrey put up video-game type numbers (only if you are a really, really good gamer) while running wild for the Outlaws. The most prolific runner in Oregon High School football history, gaining 8,460 yards in three years. Ranking him 16th on the all-time national high school list. As a senior he ran for a state-record 2,925 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Matt Sieverson, Bend – The Lava Bear turned OSU Beaver shattered records his senior year in 2003 when he ran for 2,726 yards. Averaging over 227 yards a game.
Tommy Hackenbruck, Mountain View – Led the state in rushing in 1999 with 1,961 yards and was named state offensive player of the year. He had 3,008 career rushing yards and 78 pass receptions.
Andy Michaelis, Bend – Joined Hackenbrock in the year of the C.O. running back when he ran for 1,783 yards in 1999.
Brandon Turley, Bend – Turley ran for just under 2,000 yards (1,938) in just 10 games in 1996. He had an amazing 8.2 yards per carry average.

How about some input? I’ll post some more on the subject soon.

Sister’s Chase Kleint ran for 391 yards and Bend’s Kyle Brown ran for 339 yards and seven touchdowns and Mountain View’s Solomon Helms ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns giving him 17 rushing TDs for the season.