Some might call this season the year of the running back.

Players like Ashland’s Josh Alber, Rowan County’s Darrell Cross, Russell’s Travis Jones and Lawrence County’s Shane Pack are providing big-time backbone to that case.

Looking ahead, though, the next couple of seasons might highlight the young men under center.

Especially if these offensive linemen keep getting better. It seems like successful teams gain size and strength up front every year. Ashland’s line is not huge, but it’s quick and strong. Lawrence County does it with sheer size, with the line averaging 6-foot-2, 260 pounds a player.

That extra cushion could make quarterbacks even more prevalent in the near future.

Sophomores Adam Wing (Rowan County), Sam Hunter (Ashland) and Hayden Kiser (Lawrence County) are talented and already reliable leaders for their teams.

Juniors Tyler Farley (Raceland) and Tyler Arthur (Boyd County) have been overshadowed by their teams searching for identities. But Farley, who saw limited action last season, with 40 pass attempts behind Tyler Boyles, looks like a totally different player this season. Arthur still needs more sure-handed options at receiver.

Johnson Central quarterback J.K. Hall, also a junior, has been impressive on both sides of the ball.

All of these quarterbacks can run, too.

Looks like the QB has some competition, although, I think I could give them a run for their money (just kidding).

Since ...

‰Lawrence County has not allowed a 100-yard rusher since ... Week 1.

The Bulldogs defense, led by Ben Preston and Cody Anderson, has clamped down this season, delivering solid performances each week en route to the team’s 8-0 record and first place in the Class 4A district. The only running back to surpass 100 yards in a game against the Bulldogs was Paintsville’s Nehemiah Doderer.

QB’s take: If you can throw it, throw it against this defense. With as many talented backs that Lawrence County has faced, the above statistic is pretty telling. Greenup County’s Rashard Carter and Cross of Rowan County combined to rush for just 80 yards against the Bulldogs the last two weeks.

‰Boyd County had not scored 28 points since ... last season.

The Lions ended their 2008 regular season with a 33-23 win over Fairview and defeated McCreary Central 34-6 in the playoffs, but have struggled to find ways to score since. On Friday, with the help of a fumble recovery for a touchdown, Boyd County found the end zone four times in a district win over Greenup County.

QB’s take: That meow has turned into more of a roar. Boyd County has cut down on its turnovers, with just one in the last two games, and are becoming more magnetic to the end zone. The Lions are better than a 2-6 team, but a couple of unfortunate breaks against Raceland and Pike County Central have prevented them from being .500.

‰Raceland was held out of the end zone by Lexington Christian for the first time since ... 2002.

The Rams were shut out by LCA, 40-0, on Friday night — the first shutout in the series. LCA defeated Raceland 53-3 in 2002.

QB’s take: No fair! LCA has all of its weapons back from last season, a season that produced two classic Raceland-LCA matchups. Raceland does not have its leading receiver, leading passer and leading rusher back like LCA does.

Helmet stickers

Four stickers: Shane Pack (Lawrence County), Travis Jones (Russell), T.J. Shelton (Fairview).

As the QB said, it’s the year of the running back. Pack rushed for 166, Jones ran for 202 and Shelton had 235. Pack scored three times, Jones had four TDs and Shelton found paydirt four times.

Three stickers: Josh Alber (Ashland), Will Rice (Russell), Lee Smith (Boyd County).

Two stickers: Ben Preston (Lawrence County), Adam Wing (Rowan County), Cody Stamper (West Carter).

One sticker: Jordan Lyons (Lawrence County), Chris Littlejohn (Fairview).

Noteworthy

‰The Swift brothers, Slater and Connor, started for Ashland together for the first time in their careers. Slater, a freshman, recovered a fumble and Connor, a senior, led the Tomcats’ defensive effort.

‰Johnson Central crushed Woodford County 64-14. The Golden Eagles rushed for more than 600 yards for the second straight year on the Yellowjackets.

‰Ironton coach Bob Lutz is going for his record-breaking 361st win on Friday in Tanks Memorial Stadium. If that happens, it would make him the all-time winningest coach in Ohio High School history. It won’t come easy as Nelsonville York comes to Ironton with a 7-1 record.

AARON SNYDER can be reached asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.