The 2026 season brings a changing of the guard to the Section VIII backfields. Nassau County graduated several of its most productive runners from a year ago, opening the door for a new group of players to take center stage. But the cupboard isn’t empty. One of Nassau’s biggest stars is back, another proven senior returns after a huge junior season, and a transfer from the CHSFL could become one of the most interesting players to watch on Long Island.
Here are three returning Section VIII running backs ATS Network is watching, plus one new name to know entering 2026.
Luke Martini — Wantagh | Class of 2028
Where else could we start? Luke Martini rushed for 1,968 yards and 21 touchdowns on just 167 carries last season, leading Nassau County in rushing. That’s nearly 12 yards per carry.
And he did it as an underclassman.
Martini’s performance earned him the Thorp Award, given to Nassau County’s top football player, and established him as one of the premier players in the ATS coverage area.
Now comes the encore.
With nearly 2,000 rushing yards already on his résumé, Martini enters 2026 as the standard every other Section VIII running back will be measured against.
Chace Morris — Oceanside | Class of 2027
If Martini is the headliner, Chace Morris has a legitimate argument as one of Nassau’s most dangerous returning offensive players.
Morris rushed for 1,294 yards and 28 touchdowns on 169 carries last season. The touchdown number jumps off the page. Morris found the end zone once every six carries and established himself as a player Oceanside could lean on when it needed points.
Now a senior, he’ll have an opportunity to put together the biggest season of his varsity career.
A Third Spot Waiting to Be Claimed
This is where Section VIII gets interesting.
Several of Nassau’s most productive backs from 2025 were seniors, creating a significant amount of available production throughout the county.
Instead of forcing a third player into this list based solely on limited returning statistics, ATS is leaving this spot open entering Week 1.
Someone is going to take it. It could be an established player receiving a much larger workload. It could be an underclassman whose name isn’t widely known yet. Or it could be someone who explodes during the opening weeks of the season. Consider this the first ATS RB spot that’s officially up for grabs.
We’ll revisit it once the games begin.
NEW FACE TO WATCH: Isaiah Smith — Malverne | Transfer from Christ the King
Now here’s a name Nassau football fans should learn quickly. Isaiah Smith has transferred from Christ the King to Malverne, bringing CHSFL experience with him to Section VIII.
Smith gives Malverne an experienced athlete who has already competed against Catholic League competition and now steps into a program where he should have an opportunity to become a major part of the offense.
Transfers between the CHSFL and Nassau public schools aren’t always easy to project because the environments are different. But that’s exactly what makes Smith intriguing. He’s not arriving as an unknown freshman waiting for his first varsity opportunity. He’s arriving with experience and an opportunity to immediately establish himself as one of Malverne’s featured players. Don’t be surprised if Isaiah Smith becomes one of Section VIII’s breakout names in 2026.
The Nassau RB Race Starts Now
Luke Martini enters the season with the résumé.
Chace Morris enters with the production.
Isaiah Smith enters with something to prove at a new school. And somewhere in Nassau County, another running back is about to introduce himself.
Section VIII football is back. ATS will be watching.
