NOKOMIS — Nolan Herpstreith venerates former NFL star running backs Marshawn Lynch and Barry Sanders.
The Nokomis junior running back is a challenge to bring down in his own right and has averaged 139.3 rushing yards per game in a 4-0 start in the Lincoln Prairie Conference.
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He lately summoned 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries in a 55-7 Week 4 win over Cerro Gordo-Bement after amassing 190 yards and two scores on just 12 touches in a 62-13 win over Villa Grove.
“He’s just hard to get down,” NHS coach Paul Watson said.
He is just part of a prolific junior class that also includes fellow teammates Daryl Evans and Kadynn Petty. Evans has twice rushed for over 100 yards himself to begin the season, including 175 yards and one TD on 15 attempts in a 27-10 season-opening win over Arcola.
Petty, meanwhile, has been appearing as both a quarterback and slot receiver.
“I think a lot of us just have a heart for the game,” Herpstreith said. “We’ve been doing this together since probably fifth grade — a lot of ups and downs, but it’s been real fun.”
A healthy number of juniors have started since freshman year, including Herpstreith defensively. He ended up getting some touches toward the end of his freshman season due to injuries before assuming the lead role offensively the following year.
Herpstreith finished with 1,621 rushing yards and 20 TDs last fall and Nokomis reached the playoffs before bowing to Greenfield/Northwestern in the first round, 52-13. That somber finale continues to resonate with NHS this season.
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NHS visits Oakland Tri-County (1-3) on Saturday before hosting Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond (4-0) and Sullivan/Okaw Valley (4-0) the next two proceeding weeks for conference supremacy.
“Our goal is to make a deep run in the playoffs,” Watson said. “I think what really kind of inspired us and gave us extra fire is that playoff game at Greenfield. We started a lot of sophomores and juniors and went over there and they were more physical than us, and that’s kind of the thing we’ve been preaching all offseason and this season as well. We don’t want to get that feeling again to a team that’s just more physical than us.”
Herpstreith and Evans certainly complement each other. Herpstreith perhaps brings a certain elusiveness and shiftiness in the vein of Lynch or Sanders, while Evans could be described as the bruising type.
Herpstreith deferred credit to the offensive line and the coaching staff. That veteran line includes seniors Atticus Bertolino, Kyle Reynolds, Conner Wilson and Drake Taylor, junior Riley Reynolds and sophomore Hunter Arkebauer.
“We had most of our O-line come back and it’s been great having them upfront,” said Herpstreith, who also plays cornerback. “They’ve gotten to the linebackers and safeties sometimes and it just makes it easy for me.”
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA football: Nolan Herpstreith, Nokomis football surge to 4-0
