Week three highlights: two running backs join the 300-yard club

Romello Harris of Tulare Union hands the football to the official after scoring one of his three touchdowns against Kingsburg on Sept. 18. Harris had a breakout night of 357 rushing yards in Tulare's 49-28 victory at Bob Mathias Stadium (photo contributed).

This past week saw two Central Section running backs wear down their opponents with more than 300 yards rushing. Down in Ventura County, a tall 6-foot-3 target doubled as a big play wide receiver and clutch cornerback who sealed the victory for his team.

Here's this week's highlight performers:

ROMELLO HARRIS, RUNNING BACK, TULARE UNION

The last few days have been one to remember for Harris. The junior dismantled Kingsburg High with 357 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Tulare's 49-28 victory on Sept. 18. Then, on Sept. 22, he landed his fourth scholarship offer from Duke University of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

MICHAEL WRIGHT, RUNNING BACK, DINUBA

Wright raised his game to a whole new level against El Diamante-Visalia, who entered Claud Hebert Field as the reigning Central Section Division II champions. The senior wore down the Miners with 336 yards on 44 carries and four touchdowns in the Emperors' 28-22 victory on Sept. 19.

FRANKIE TOSTADO, WIDE RECEIVER/CORNERBACK, CAMARILLO

Tostado made big plays when it mattered the most. He started the contest against Simi Valley with a 15-yard touchdown on a swing pass. After adding two more scores, he sealed the Scorpions' 22-20 victory at Carl Thompson Field by using his 6-foot-3 frame and vertical jump to haul down the clinching interception. Tostado had 148 yards on eight catches with three scores, including a 43-yard touchdown.

BRANSIN JOHNSON, ATHLETE, CLOVIS NORTH

Despite the close 21-20 loss to Edison in a possible Central Section Division I playoff preview, Johnson caught six passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, then added an 88-yard kickoff return for the score. Johnson is one of many NCAA Division I prospects on the Broncos with interest from the PAC-12 and Mountain West. He also holds a Weber State offer.

CORT GROATHOUSE, QUARTERBACK, LEMOORE

Playing in a hostile environment and facing its biggest Division II test in Sanger, Lemoore pulled out the 27-22 victory behind Groathouse's big night. The senior went 23-of-30 passing for 258 yards, three touchdown passes and added a 19-yard touchdown run at Tom Flores Stadium.

ANTHONY MARISCAL, ATHLETE, LIBERTY-BAKERSFIELD

The Arizona commit rushed for 181 yards on 12 carries and scored three times during the Patriots' 48-20 romp of Buchanan-Clovis.

HANK WIGGINS, DEFENSIVE BACK, CLOVIS

On his birthday, Wiggins had four tackles, an interception and a blocked field goal, as Clovis High overcame a 20-7 deficit to beat Stockdale-Bakersfield 21-20.

TANNER RICE, INSIDE LINEBACKER, CLOVIS

Rice finished with eight tackles, two stops for a loss and one sack in the Cougars' come-from-behind victory.

KRUZ BASS, WIDE RECEIVER, EL DIAMANTE-VISALIA

Bass caught 11 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns despite the Miners' road loss to Dinuba, the Central Section's defending Division III champion.

TYLER SMITH, QUARTERBACK, VENTURA

It was an efficient night for the junior quarterback, as he completed 18-of-26 passes for 306 yards and threw four touchdowns in the 48-14 rout of Saugus.

KAIZER BUTLER, RUNNING BACK, SIERRA CANYON-CHATSWORTH

Butler carried the ball just five times, but ran for 168 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Trailblazers' 42-13 trouncing of Agoura.

MASON RANDALL, QUARTERBACK, SACRED HART-ATHERTON

Randall led a 13-play, 99-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass on a slant route by Nick O'Donnell with nine seconds left, lifting Sacred Hart to the 27-21 victory over Salinas. The junior quarterback completed 10 straight passes during the long final drive.