The 12 to Watch in 2012: Red Lion RB Jason Milton
This is Part 9 in our continuing blog series, which looks at 12 players to watch during the upcoming YAIAA football season. A reminder, there is one major change from last year's list: In an effort to profile a wider range of teams, I'm only picking one player from each school for the list.
Previous playersRB Alex Cooley, Eastern York
RB/OLB Marquis Fells, Central York
QB James Dougherty, York Catholic
C/DT Brody Kern, West YorkQB Dustin Crouse, Littlestown
RB Dillon Thomas, South WesternRB/WR Jaime Nixon-Alark, York SuburbanDB Dan Hare, Kennard-Dale
RB Jason Milton
Red Lion, Sr.
2011 stats: 137 carries, 1,005 yards, 7.3 avg., 10 TDs
Milton's 2011 season was bisected by a three-game absence; the then-junior missed the Lions' Week 6, 7 and 8 matchups for undisclosed reasons. When he was on the field, though, there was no denying Milton was one of the league's most dynamic runners. He racked up 736 rushing yards through his first five games, along with a 9.1 yards per carry average. And while Milton wasn't quite as effective after returning in Week 9, he did manage 236 yards and a 4.1 average in three games.
Milton is your prototypical tailback -- an explosive runner with good power and breakaway speed.
In Week 2 last season, I watched him almost single-handedly lead Red Lion's come-from-behind effort during an eventual 34-31 loss to Manheim Township. Milton ran for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns that night.
Milton will face one major challenge this season: He'll be running behind a rebuilt offensive line loaded with underclassmen. How fast that group develops will play a large role in determining the success Milton -- and the Lions -- experience in 2012.
Other Lions to watch: Red Lion will have a new quarterback, following the graduation of Tanner Klinefelter. Rising junior Blake Cahill has plenty of talent and an ideal build (he's 6-foot-5). His development could be fun to watch. ... Rising senior Seth Haight was the team's third leading receiver last year with 244 yards. ... Linebacker A.J. Hungerford had 64 tackles as a sophomore in 2011.