OC All Decade – Running Back

1 Derek Brooks/Niko Palazeti (Novi Detroit Catholic Central) – Two equally punishing ball-carriers for Shamrock Nation in the 2000s, each navigating their respective CC squads to state championships (Brooks '03, "Big Poppa" Palazeti '09). If you believe your boy Burney, Palazeti is about to breakout at the college level with the MSU Spartans as the new and improved version of former All-Big Ten and NFL All-Pro fullback, Mike Alstot.

2 Anthony Sherrell (OL St. Mary's) – Toted the rock for the back-to-back state champ Eaglets in 1999 and 2000, before going on to star in the collegiate ranks at Eastern Michigan and then having a solid pro career that is still going in the CFL

3 Deandre Johnson (MH Madison) – This kid was Valdez Showers at Madison prior to Valdez Showers coming on the scene, taking the Eagles to an undefeated regular season and a state title game berth in 2006.   

4 Edwin Baker (Oak Park) – Hit the hole harder and faster than any prep running back I've ever seen. Nicknamed "Rock", he once went for 400+ yards in a game his senior year (2008) against Southfield Lathrup. Baker is currently fighting for the starting tailback job up in East Lansing at Michigan State.

5 Jonas Gray (Birmingham Detroit Country Day) – Workhorse running back that took the 'Jackets to a state championship game appearance as a senior in 2007 in a campaign where he rushed for 2600 yards and 32 TD's. Gray was named a Parade All=American and went for 300+ and 4 TD's in a state semi-final victory in '07 and in that same year was a part of the school's state championship basketball team. Right now, Gray is competing for minutes carrying the ball for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

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