ELITE: Top QB/RB Duos in 4A & 3A for 2025
Carthage Bulldogs' Jett Surratt and KJ Edwards, Lexington Eagles' Kase Evans and Noah Wright-Harris headline the best backfields in Class 4A and 3A.
Celina won its first eight state championships with a smash-mouth rushing offense. The Bobcats broke a title drought since 2007 by blending a modern passing attack with old-school T formations.
Bentley, the No. 9 overall player in the DCTF Hot 100, will be the first Celina player to graduate to Power Four football since current Celina offensive coordinator Nathan Elliott, who played for North Carolina from 2016-18. The 6-3, 205-pound signal caller threw for 3,330 yards and 47 touchdowns and proved quite the rushing threat as well, with 933 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’ll compete at the Elite 11 and soon decide between Oklahoma and LSU.
Gutierrez earned All-State honors with 1,585 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. Those stats are even more impressive when taking into account that he split carries with departing senior Harrison Williams (1,341 yards). The 5-9, 185-pound Gutierrez was named a top performer at the All-American Showcase this spring.
These District 8-4A DII Co-MVPs combined to win Carthage head coach Scott Surratt’s 10th state championship. For that, they earn the top spot on this list.
Jett was born into his father’s football dynasty and has excelled once given the keys as the starting quarterback. He threw for 3,378 yards and 53 touchdowns as a junior, winning with the football IQ he’s honed since he started watching film with his father in fourth grade. He holds offers to in-state programs Texas Tech, Houston and UTSA.
Edwards took home Offensive MVP honors in the state championship win over Waco La Vega after his 86-yard touchdown run at the end of the first half opened the floodgates. His 1,789 rushing yards and 30 catches proved his ability as a three-down back. Edwards is the No. 6 overall player in the DCTF Hot 100.
Insert fellow running back Benny Smith (1,262 yards, 19 touchdowns) into the equation, and Carthage has Class 4A’s most dominant backfield.
Atchley is the workhorse of Blanco’s power spread offense, gaining over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground as a junior. The 6-foot, 185-pound running back is a one-cut runner who gets north and south quickly. He also catches passes in traffic while sneaking out of the backfield on wheel routes.
Golla threw for 1,696 yards and 20 touchdowns despite moving into Blanco right before the 2024 season. Now with a full offseason in the system under his belt, he should be even more efficient as a senior.
Porter is the returning rushing leader in Class 3A with 2,218 yards and 36 touchdowns in a stunning sophomore season. With 4.4 speed, Porter is the main weapon in Newton’s multiple-wing attack. The reigning District 12-3A DII MVP holds in-state offers from Texas Tech, Houston and UTSA.
It’s kind of cheating to put Samuel on this list at quarterback. He did earn Second Team All-District honors as a signal caller, but he plays everywhere for Newton. The 6-foot, 180-pound athlete lines up at running back and can play in press man as a corner.
Kevin Bachtel left Howard Payne to return to Edgewood, where he compiled a 40-17 record from 2017-20. This duo will be the focal point of his new spread scheme.
Golightly was Class 3A’s breakout star as a sophomore, leading 3A Division II with 3,470 passing yards and 4,086 total yards. The 6-foot, 195-pound gunslinger is excellent at throwing on the run. No area of the field is off-limits with his arm strength. He’s picked up offers to UTEP and Midwestern State.
His last name may be Pippin, but he’s no second fiddle. The 5-9, 180-pound running back frequently turns runs that should go for minimal gains into house calls. His shiftiness and special teams play as a return man make Pippin a returning star.
Luna had a major year in 2024, breaking Poth’s all-time single-season passing record with 2,680 yards and 34 touchdowns. The District 15-3A DII Offensive MVP is a tough player, hanging in the pocket until the last possible moment when a receiver breaks open, then launching a moon ball in the end zone. He’s received two offers from Schreiner and Hendrix.
Stover has rare dual-threat ability, rushing for 1,226 yards and 18 touchdowns and adding 524 receiving yards, most of the time as a split-out receiver. The 5-11, 170-pound running back earned District Newcomer of the Year honors and is a threat to score whenever he touches the rock.
Evans, a four-year starter, has compiled a 31-7 career record. The 6-3, 195-pound quarterback turned in his best season yet as a junior, earning unanimous District 13-3A DII Offensive MVP honors with 3,113 yards and 37 touchdowns. His recruiting stock has soared this spring with offers from Oklahoma State, UTSA, Texas State and UTEP.
Wright-Harris (5-10, 175) rushed for over 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. He has superb vision, reading his blocks to run through the hole that’s open instead of the hole he’s assigned to go to. Wright-Harris’ chemistry with an offensive line that returns four starters should set up for another big season.
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