KIMBALL — Iden Myers is making school history, but not without the help of those around him. 

The Kimball/White Lake senior running back/linebacker recently set the program’s career rushing record, currently sitting at 2,845 rushing yards. He needs 204 rushing yards to break Kimball’s all-time rushing record (3,048).  

But Myers said his current and past offensive linemen are largely responsible for paving the way for his record-setting career. 

“I get a lot of credit for the rushing yards I get, but I would like to credit that with the O-line that I have had the last three years,” Myers said. “They’ve made me look a lot better than I am. They make me look really good out there most nights.”

Myers, with the help of his offensive linemen, racked up 303 yards rushing on 26 carries and scored three touchdowns in a 52-8 win over Platte-Geddes on Sept. 13. KWL’s starting offensive line features Graden Holen, Cooper Leiferman, Dalton Deffenbaugh, Asher Krumvieda and Lucas Lenz. 

“Last Friday night for example you are not going to rush for 300 yards and not have an offensive line that blocks really well for you,” Myers added. “That offensive line, they’ve made me look really good over the years.”

Kimball/White Lake's Iden Myers carries the ball against Parkston last season in Parkston. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

This season, Myers has rushed for 734 yards on 62 carries and has six touchdowns. He’s averaging 11.8 yards per carry and 180 yards per game. 

While Myers credits his blockers, he’s also dangerous in the open field and possesses breakaway speed to run past defenders. 

“I like to use my quickness and my vision to get around blocks and read them and be patient,” Myers said. “My big thing is I try to be patient and be quick, but when I need to lower my shoulder and be physical, I want to be physical. I want to be able to hit the guys. I try to be physical and run mean and run hard, but also be patient and use my quickness to my advantage.”

He showed off his speed with a 91-yard touchdown run on KWL’s first play from scrimmage against Platte-Geddes. On the opening play, he found a crease, sprinted into the open field and shook off a tackler 30 yards down the field. 

KWL coach Ryan Skluzak said the play is a reflection of Myers’ improved speed during the offseason. 

“His top end speed has improved and he’s run away from defenders,” Skluzak said. “He’s had two touchdowns over 80 yards this year, which that’s a first for him that he’s been able to outrun and finish on some of those long runs.”

Skluzak also raves about Myers’ natural football instincts, knowledge, and coachability. And at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, Skluzak likes Myers to former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders. 

“He’s not crazy intimidating by stature,” Skluzak said. “But I really compare him to Barry Sanders. He can stop on a dime in the hole. But yet he runs with so much power. Being a wrestler his power comes from his hips. Pound for pound, find me a tougher guy in the hole. I would like to see him. Because he just steam rolls anybody if you are in the way.”

Kimball/White Lake's Iden Myers carries the ball against Gregory last season in Gregory. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

He’s also a playmaker on defense. Myers, who was an all-state defensive back last season, set the KWL record with 10 interceptions in 2023. He currently has 13 career interceptions and 208.5 career tackles.

“He’s always in position,” Skluzak said. “That just speaks volumes to his instincts and just always being there. Defensively, he’s got that ability to play strong safety, linebacker. He flies to the ball.”

While he makes plays on the gridiron, Myers said his football skills are a direct result of his wrestling background. Myers finished second in the Class B 144-pound weight class last season. 

“Wrestling is a huge deal as far as his balance, his moves in the hole, his shiftyness and his power,” Skluzak said. 

Myers, who began wrestling in Kindergarten, took it seriously leading into his freshman year and said it’s helped him develop as a better football player. 

“The mindset, the dedication, the motivation and everything from wrestling to football makes football a lot easier,” Myers said. “Because wrestling is hard and when you go from wrestling all summer to football, football is a lot easier, the conditioning and you are more in shape.” 

Myers’ football exploits have not gone unnoticed by college football coaches. He’s been offered by Dakota Wesleyan University and will visit Concordia University (Nebraska) this weekend. 

“I want to play on Saturday afternoons and not just Friday night lights,” Myers said. “So that’s been a big goal.”

Kimball/White Lake (3-1) will host Bon Homme on Sept. 20 in Kimball.