Junior running back in the midst of historic season for BSM

Floyd+breaks+free+against+a+St.+Louis+Park+defender+in+a+game+in+which+he+came+up+just+5+yards+short+of+the+MN+single+game+rushing+record.

Katie Ercolani

Floyd breaks free against a St. Louis Park defender in a game in which he came up just 5 yards short of the MN single game rushing record.

Ricky Floyd, the star Red Knight running back, has been dominant since the home opener against Cooper. In his past three games he has tallied over 675 total yards, including five touchdowns in just over seventy-five attempts. He ranks fourth in the state in total rush yards, and fifth in the state in average yards per game (177.5). Floyd has accomplished this by his massive breakout plays and unmatched speed. In fall practice, Ricky tallied a forty-yard dash of approximately a 4.35 second run. This time is one of the fastest in the history of BSM football.

Recently, collegiate schools have started to notice Floyd’s breakout year as well, with the University of Minnesota recently contacting him. “He contacted me on Twitter after he won MN Football Hub player of the week honors. I am very excited; this only makes me want to work harder to be a better player every week,” Floyd said.

Before every play I will look down the field at the goal posts and think to myself that those posts are my number one priority. [I] need to get to those goal posts no matter what

— Ricky Floyd

Off the field Ricky is known for his calm nature and witty humor.  He often is the slowest walker in the hallway, and he would probably be voted fastest runner at the same time being voted as the slowest walker. In the game, he is considered by the team to have an intense yet impressively cool demeanor. “My number one mindset is to obviously win,” Floyd said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win. Before every play I will look down the field at the goal posts and think to myself that those posts are my number one priority.  [I] need to get to those goal posts no matter what.”

Ricky has had success in many different facets of this season’s games, but he mainly credits his offensive line for his success this season. “My main key to success this year has been my blockers. My line creates the holes and gaps for me to run through and my blockers guide me through the hole. Without the offensive lineman we have, we would be nothing right now offensively,” Floyd said.

Junior captain and offensive lineman Eric Wilson, who currently has a Division I offer from Yale, adds to the praise of the offensive line. “The offensive line has lost a lot of size; however, we have gained quickness and speed which translates effectively to the game style we have with Ricky,” Wilson said.

Floyd displays patience as a tool to succeed as well. “[I strive] to be patient and wait for the opening, and than you are on your way,” he said.

Eric Wilson also metes out plenty of praise for Ricky’s on-field intelligence and work ethic. “He is the fastest player on the field. Once he makes his cut he is gone.” Wilson said. “His awareness of where the defenders are around him is exceptional. This allows for Ricky to avoid many tackles many good running backs usually wouldn’t be able to avoid.”