Ironwood Ridge running back Anthony Braunreiter doesn’t pass the eye test.
The senior stands just 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 205 pounds. He doesn’t have breakaway speed or eye-popping athleticism.
But Braunreiter has one of the state’s more impressive stat lines at running back. He has averaged more than 115 yards per game and has scored 21 touchdowns in his first full season as the featured back for the Nighthawks, who take on Tempe Marcos de Niza on Friday in a Division II semifinal.
“Ever since we saw him as a freshman, we knew he was a real tough, hard runner,” I-Ridge coach Matt Johnson said. “I like it because he doesn’t like to juke or anything. He keeps it real simple and does a great job.”
Braunreiter started at linebacker as a sophomore and served as a blocking back for Mitch Fischer as a junior. He said the last two years helped get him up to speed with playing on varsity, but this season has been his favorite.
“I’m not going to lie,” said Braunreiter, who has played tackle football since he was 6 years old. “I like running the ball.”
Read more about Braunreiter in Thursday's Arizona Daily Star.
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