Editors note: This is the second article in the eight-part “YPS Top 50” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 50 of the top returning football players for the 2025 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 50 is an eight-story series that highlights 50 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

The series began on Monday with a look at three of the top returning quarterbacks in the Your Prep Sports area.

The next of the eight position groups being previewed is the running backs as Your Prep Sports looks at four of the top returning ball carriers in the area.

In the next few days six other position groups – pass catcher, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back and special teams – will all be featured.

Here is a look at four of the top returning running backs in the area.

Savion Miller

Junior, Regina

After flashing his impressive potential in a limited role as freshman Miller quickly solidified his spot as one of the top players in the state with a breakthrough sophomore season in which he earned second team Class 1A all-state honors.

Miller rushed for a team-high 922 yards and eight touchdowns and also caught 16 passes for 192 yards during his breakout season last fall helping Regina to a 9-2 record and a spot in the Class 1 quarterfinals.

An explosive athlete, Miller averaged 5.8 yards per carry and 28.9 yards per kick off return last season.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Miller has picked up scholarship offers from Miami, Toledo, Missouri and Iowa State entering his third season of high school football and is the sixth ranked recruit in the Class of 2027 by 247 Sports.

Miller closed last season strong, posting three of his five 100-yard rushing performances in the final four games of the season.

The late-season surge from Miller started with a career-high 143 rushing yards in a week-nine win over Wilton.

Miller followed by rushing for 113 yards and 107 yards in postseason wins over Pleasantville and Woodward-Granger while recording a career-high 21 carries in both games.

Cooper Gates

Senior, West Branch

The Class 1A, District 5 defensive player of the year last season Gates would perhaps be more fitted to land on the linebacker list in this series after a monster season on the defensive side of the ball in which he led West Branch in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks.

In actuality, Gates could be on a number of the position lists in this series and is among several players in the YPS Top 50 that would fall in the ‘football player’ category if one existed.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Gates lands on the running back list for his ability to be a potential workhorse in the backfield for first-year head coach Matt Hughes.

As good as Gates is defensively he has the ability to be equally impactful with the ball in his hands.

Gates rushed for a team-high 492 yards and five touchdowns last season while averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

A state medalist wrestler, Gates has an excellent combination of balance and power and is rarely brought down by the first defender.

Last season Gates showed the ability to be a receiver out of the backfield making 14 receptions for 87 yards.

Gates rushed for 50 yards or more five times last season including a career-high 119 yards in a week-three win over Waterloo Columbus.

Ethan Vice

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

A versatile playmaker on both sides of the ball Vice was a Class 4A, District 3 first team all-district selection last season after leading Clear Creek Amana running backs with 342 yards and two touchdowns.

The 6-foot, 187-pound Vice is a slashing runner with good speed that averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season.

Vice brings a versatile skill set to the football field and to Clipper offensive back field.

A Wisconsin Eau Claire commit, Vice caught eight passes for 60 yards last season and was also a key factor in the return game averaging 18.9 yards on 10 kickoff returns 12.3 yards per return on three punt returns.

Vice also played a key role on defense making 16 tackles, picking off two passes and recovering a fumble from his defensive back spot.

Vice rushed for 72 yards in an opening-round playoff loss to Pella and brings a different dimension to the Clipper back field while teamed with sophomore Noah Collis who rushed for 283 yards and a touchdown last season.

Gabriel Hegelheimer

Sophomore, Regina

While Miller is the lead back at Regina following his breakthrough season last fall look for a similar type of breakout effort from the talented Hegelheimer this season.

Hegelheimer impressed on offense, defense and on special teams as a freshman last season on his way to earning Class 1A second team all-state honors.

A versatile athlete, Hegelheimer rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown on offense.

On defense Hegelheimer made 11 tackles and had 1.5 sacks from his linebacker spot and he made a major mark on special teams averaging 40.2 yards per punt and also converting 38-of-40 PATs and going 2-of-5 on field goals.

Hegelheimer is poised for a big season in an expanded role this fall and should be an important part of the Regal offense.

With one of the best running backs in the state in the backfield in Miller look for Regina to find creative ways to get the ball in the hands of the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Hegelheimer who is a powerful runner with high-end speed.

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