Many saw Duluth Denfeld’s Taye Manns’ potential last year, but not many predicted a season like the one he’s had this year.

“He just shows that he can wreck a game,” said Denfeld head football coach Erik Lofald.

Manns is on a tear unlike anything the Northland has seen before.

Through seven games, Manns has over 1356 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns, and is averaging 193 rushing yards per game.

While Manns has all the star power in the world, it’s the guys up front that pave the way for him, both literally and figuratively.

“They do a really good job of blocking for us, and I just find the hole,” said Manns. “Yeah, it’s off to the races.”

“He broke out last year, but this is his year to put his stamp on his career, his legacy,” said Lofald. “He’s got great teammates. I think he acknowledges that. We knew that we were going to be really good up front. I told the guys, it could be a special year rushing the ball if everybody does their job.”

Manns is never one to use the term, “I”. Every touchdown, pass, and snap, he comes with the “We over me” attitude, even in the offseason.

“We all worked out every single morning during the week,” said Manns. “Even outside of just those workouts, we were also working out. So that’s probably why I put a lot of work in.”

When talking about Denfeld running backs though – the mind goes to just one other all time great. C.J. Ham.

Ham logged 1,873 yards between junior and senior seasons along with 24 touchdowns. Manns is of course short of that in just seven regular season games.

Head Coach Erik Lofald had some thoughts on Ham and Manns.

“C.J. was that bruising back, that north-south kind of guy, punishing running back, punishing offense,” said Lofald. “Taye is faster. He’s more athletic. He really has the total game where he can kind of do everything, catch footballs. I think he’s the best running back. I think he’s the best football player we’ve ever had at Denfeld in the modern era.”

If Ham or Manns is the better back is not for anyone to say, but what is for sure is that Manns isn’t going to stop any time soon.