Ryan Bass is having a great year, but....

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It was pretty close heading into last week, but I’m convinced Chris Polk, pictured, of Redlands East Valley was the best running back in the Inland Empire this season. I’m sure some Corona Centennial fans are choking on their donut holes about now, and probably even a few Riverside Notre Dame supporters are ready to e-mail Editor Bob.

First of all, Kenjon Barner of Notre Dame must be a talented back, no doubt. Oregon wouldn’t have stuck their Duck necks out if he wasn’t, but the defenses he ran against just don’t compare to those faced by Polk and Ryan Bass of Centennial.

So, it’s down to Polk, who has committed to USC, and the Arizona-bound Bass. In addition to watching Bass play seven games this season and Polk three, here’s some data I found useful.

Against Compton Dominguez: Polk had 15 carries for 239 and three touchdowns in the 44-14 victory; Bass had 25 carries for 214 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-17 victory. Advantage: Polk.

Against Norco: Polk had 24 carries for 216 yards and a touchdown in the 38-7 victory; Bass had 18 carries for 157 yards and four touchdowns in the 43-7 victory. Advantage: Bass.

Against Corona Santiago: Polk had 32 carries for 186 yards and no touchdowns in the 25-10 loss in a rain-soaked game; On a dry field a week later, Bass had 14 carries for 45 yards and a late touchdown in the 42-7 victory. Advantage: Polk.

Polk’s total this season: 234 carries for 2,561 yards (10.9 avg.) and 29 touchdowns (five receiving).

Bass’s total (thus far): 309 carries for 2,472 yards (8.0 avg.) and 45 touchdowns (one receiving).

Advantage: Polk

Now, you’re probably thinking out there in the IE, Bass rushed for 326 yards and four touchdowns in a 51-37 loss to Mater Dei. Well, I say, he needed 43 carries on a night when nobody played defense. Polk had eight games in which he topped 200 yards. Advantage: Polk.

Now, there’s still one game left and, no doubt, it will be the toughest defense Bass has faced this season. Should he go nuts and rush for 300 yards, I might have a change of heart.

In the meantime, I’m sticking with Polk.

-- Dan Arritt

Image by: scout.com