Gold mines from week one

In the Central Section, running backs reigned supreme, including Khai Williams of Edison pummeling the defending State Division I champions with 161 yards at Fresno City College's Ratcliffe Stadium.

Off of Highway 101 and 24th Street in North San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles electrified - and scared - its home crowd with a 41-35 victory behind the big plays of the Bearcats' most dynamic athlete, Bailey Gaither. The victory was during an evening when Paso nearly lost a 28-7 lead.

Here's this week's gold mines from Cali Gold Mine:

KHAI WILLIAMS, RUNNING BACK, EDISON-FRESNO

Looks like Khai Williams' phone, email and mailbox will soon get flooded with messages from college coaches. The senior - who was the third back behind Kevin Nutt (Nevada) and Blake Wright (Colorado State) one year ago - drilled the Drillers with 161 yards on 19 carries and one 80-yard touchdown run in the Tigers' emotional 15-14 victory on Sept. 5.

Williams told me back in April that his success came from watching Nutt and Wright.

"When I came in as a freshman, I was always under their wing. So they showed me lot," Williams said. "They taught me when to make cuts. They passed their game and knowledge down to me."

Williams has been on the NCAA Division I radar since his sophomore year. He's gathered interest from the PAC-12 and currently holds an Eastern Washington offer.

STEVAN JOHNSON, RUNNING BACK, SAN JOAQUIN MEMORIAL-FRESNO

Johnson used his 200-pound frame to rumble past McLane for five touchdowns in the Panthers' 46-18 romp on Sept. 5.

Johnson hasn't been offered yet, but has generated interest from Fresno State, Arizona, Washington and numerous Mountain West programs.

The senior has scored seven touchdowns in the first two games of the season.

ROBERT GRIER, RUNNING BACK, IMMANUEL-REEDLEY

Grier showed Immanuel football fans what he's capable of, as the Edison transfer powered through Lindsay's defense with 215 yards on 40 carries in the Eagles' 13-12 victory.

Grier is built like a boulder at 5-foot-8, 205-pounds. He runs with a low center of gravity and punishes opponents with his shoulders. He's a Montee Ball type runner for the Eagles.

JESUS JIMENEZ, RUNNING BACK, MADERA

Jimenez ran for 289 yards and scored four long touchdowns (26, 55, 92 and 29) in the Coyotes' 58-14 rout over Roosevelt-Fresno.

In Madera's high-octane Pistol Wing-T offense, Jimenez showed off speed, power, balance and a second gear on his touchdown runs. 

JAKE BROWNING, QUARTERBACK, FOLSOM

Browning, the University of Washington commit, picked apart a Clovis North defense with three Division I prospects on the field. The pro style quarterback tossed six touchdowns in the 49-13 rout.

ZACH TAYLOR, QUARTERBACK, BUENA PARK

The rising 6-foot, 187-pound junior threw 517 yards and five touchdowns in Buena Park's 53-6 rout over California High of Whittier. Taylor has 958 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

JOSEPH WICKER, DEFENSIVE END, LONG BEACH POLY

The freakish 6-foot-4, 265-pound senior added two more sacks in the Jackrabbits'  34-21 victory over Narbonne-Harbor City. Wicker, who holds 10 Division I scholarship offers, has eight sacks this season.

KAMRON LEWIS, WIDE RECEIVER, EDISON-FRESNO

Like Williams, Lewis could start heating up on the recruiting trail following his six catch, 152-yard evening against state champion Bakersfield. Lewis caught a 47-yard bomb on a flea flicker for the touchdown. He has 12 catches, 222 yards and two touchdowns this season.

BAILEY GATHIER, ATHLETE, PASO ROBLES

Gathier raised his game to another level against Ventura County powerhouse Camarillo after catching eight passes for 190 yards and scored three touchdowns.

He added an 82-yard kick return for the touchdown in the third quarter, when he dropped the incoming ball, but darted through Camarillo for his score. Only two defenders laid a finger on him during the run.

His highlight score, though, was on a 91-yard bomb that sealed the victory. Gaither drew one-on-one coverage, ran full speed on his streak route, then caught the ball at the 35 and dashed his way to the end zone.

Gaither told me he's added Eastern Washington and Sacramento State offers. The 2015 prospect has six offers on the table.

CHRISTIAN ERICKSON, RUNNING BACK, PASO ROBLES

The sophomore Erickson could be the next highly recruited Bearcat. The 205-pound animal lowered his shoulders and bruised Camarillo's trenches for 21 carries, 107 yards and one touchdown.

His running style is similar to a young Toby Geahart (former Stanford running back).

JAKE CONSTANTINE, QUARTERBACK, CAMARILLO

Despite the loss to Paso, Constantine is emerging as a 2016 quarterback to watch in Ventura County. He went 31 of 44 passing, threw for 310 yards and tossed four touchdowns in the Scorpions' 41-35 loss.

Constantine was intercepted twice and lost one fumble. His ability to throw on the run and escape the pocket impressed me the most.

He has nine touchdown passes on the season. Per his father Charlie, Jake Constantine has received interest from Clemson and Fresno State.