Every time a running back gets the ball and heads towards the line there is that split-second to make a decision.

Cut right, cut left, follow your blocker to the outside or power forward and stay inside.

It really becomes an art when executed with perfect timing. The art of playing running back becomes a player's craft, one that they want to hone to perfection with the right combination of power and speed.

Take for instance Nimitz's Jayvon Davis, Aldine Davis' DeMarcus Barlow Jr. and Eisenhower's Sevan Guidry. All three running backs. All three are coming back for their junior and senior seasons, respectively, and are the leading rushers from District 16-6A a year ago that are returning.

"It was fun competition, that's what I like the most," Guidry said. "It's like 'oh he had 100 yards', that means I need to produce as much. It makes me want to work harder to be at the top."

If there was a "rushing title" to hand out, it would have gone to the shifty sophomore Davis in 2018.

The 5-foot-5 back, busted loose for 1,811 yards, averaged 10.23 yards per carry and scored 22 touchdowns to lead District 16-6A rushers in all three categories.

"Speed and heart, most definitely," Barlow said about Davis. "He's kind of little but he can maneuver through the line and through traffic."