Bullitt East running back Hunter Perdue is putting up huge numbers in 2016

Hunter Perdue may not be the biggest running back in the state, but few have put up larger numbers. The junior from Bullitt East has rushed for an eye popping 1,443 on only 137 carries, that's an average 10.5 yards per rush, to go along with 19 touchdowns. He also has 86 yards receiving for two touchdowns and has taken a punt return back for six as well.

Perdue is also a hard hitting safety but says that he prefers playing running back.

"I love the feeling of seeing small gaps opening up and somehow breaking to the outside. I feel like running back is the only position on the field to were you have complete control over what you do," commented Perdue, "For safety, I would say I'm more of a run stopper than a coverage safety because I'm big on following my reads, which makes stopping a run almost predictable."

While Perdue has had great individual success, his team has struggled this year, sitting on a 1-6 record. Former Bullitt East head coach Darrell Vincent, who coached the Chargers from 2013 - 2015 was replaced by Mark Sander this season. While they have only won once this year, they have lost tough games to Eastern (Louisville) 36-32, Collins (Shelbyville) 55-52, and Bullitt Central 9-7.

"I think everyone on the team understand that there's a point were a team with a new coach turns the corner, and starts winning the games that go down to the wire. We can feel it coming and we try to prepare ourselves throughout the week for the team on Friday," offered Perdue.

When Perdue isn't darting through defenses you can catch him in a tree stand or a fishing boat.

"My hobbies are hunting and fishing," said Perdue. "I hunt dear with both gun and bow and the other day I caught a 7 and-a-half-pound bass."

I asked Perdue if his mentality as a hunter carried over to football.

"Well so far I've only killed a doe with a .243 but hunting is like football. I think of most things from a football stand point. So, you can go years without seeing a dear, but if you keep your land stocked with feeders you'll finally get a shot at the 10 point mule. So in our case (Bullitt East's) as far as football, going far in the state playoffs."

Perdue doesn't currently have any college offers but Dayton (Ohio) and Davidson (North Carolina) have showed some interest along with some NAIA schools. He also plans to attend camp at Western Kentucky in the off-season, as well as a few other schools but he hasn't set anything in stone with anyone other than the Hill Toppers.