What’s better than one great feature back? Meet Midwest City’s speedy trio

Lasiera Laviolette started to describe Midwest City’s three-pronged rushing approach as he stood between Jaylan Woody and Derrion Rogers.

“We all go out there; we get the ball,” Laviolette said. “Score a touchdown, get 20 (yards), get a first down…”

Then Rogers finished the sentence.

“And make sure the other brother gets some, too,” Rogers said.

Each of Midwest City’s three feature backs – Laviolette, Woody and Rogers – can complete something the others start. One teammate breaks away for a long run to set up a touchdown for someone else. They take turns increasing carries and conserving energy.

The Bombers used this strategy to defeat Putnam North, 31-13, on Friday night, securing their first victory of the season.

Midwest City coach Darrell Hall understands this is a luxury he doesn’t have every year, so he enjoys the revolving door in the backfield.

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“It keeps everybody fresh, and it makes them work hard in practice,” Hall said. “Because if you’re not having a good practice, you’re gonna get less snaps. It’s kind of like a college program where you don’t have a day off, so those guys understand that those snaps they’re gonna get, they have to earn it.”

The speedy trio hasn’t let competition create rifts in the group. Instead, Laviolette, Rogers and Woody consider themselves a unit nicknamed “Bankroll.”

They’re supplying their team with the ultimate currency: positive yards.

Midwest City (1-2) ran for 330 yards against Putnam North, but no one had to carry an enormous load.

Woody, a junior, tallied 11 carries for 118 rushing yards, including the 15-yard touchdown that capped the victory. Rogers finished with 95 rushing yards, bursting into space for the 40-yard run that paved the way for fellow senior Laviolette’s second touchdown. Laviolette, who reached the end zone twice in the first half, recorded 68 rushing yards and 31 receiving yards.

Senior quarterback Kenneth Colston, who threw for 134 yards and a touchdown, could hand the ball to any of the three and let them show their skills.

“It’s really fun,” Colston said.

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It was also necessary as the Bombers strived to bounce back from a difficult start. Midwest City had marched straight into the lion’s den, opening the season with a 40-13 loss to defending state champion Carl Albert before falling to Del City, 53-14.

After facing their high-powered school-district rivals, the Bombers had a chance to regroup and reduce mistakes. They weren’t perfect against Putnam North (2-2), but pieces started falling into place.

“We got that bad taste out of our mouth,” Laviolette said.

The defense clicked with interceptions from Josiah Johnson and Felix Fuentes. Colston commanded the offense. And when Putnam North made its biggest play of the night with Isaiah Wallace’s 88-yard touchdown reception, Midwest City used its electric run game to immediately respond.

Woody saved his best highlight for the fourth quarter, showing his breakaway speed as he dashed 63 yards to rescue the Bombers from difficult field position – they were pinned at their 1-yard line after a special teams mishap. He capped the drive with his 15-yard touchdown, relying on fresh legs since his teammates had significant carries early in the game.

“I knew I was gonna get out of there,” Woody said. “When I saw how the defense lined up, I knew once I made the safety miss, there was nobody.”

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The accurate read reflected one of Woody’s fortés. Hall said the junior back has “great vision,” while his comrades also have unique strengths.

“Rogers runs with a little bit more force,” Hall said. “... And then Laviolette, he just finds a hole and goes. He’s an angry runner, so that’s a good thing.”

On the final drive of the game, the Bombers turned to a fourth running back. Jahhim Mahmoud, a junior, finished with five carries for 43 yards, staying on his feet and lunging for extra yards as defenders surrounded him.

As Midwest City enters district play, this backfield depth provides a key advantage.

And the running backs are embracing it. As players exited the field after the victory at Putnam North, the synchronized voices of Laviolette, Woody and Rogers were audible.

“One, two, three – Bankroll.”

Then they headed toward the locker room, celebrating their first win of the year.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school football: Midwest City takes down Putnam North