WASHINGTON — If Oklahoma has turned into “Running-Back-U,” then a school right down the road has turned into “Running-Back-HS.”

For the past half a decade, Washington has turned out some studs at the position. Last year, Tyler Simmons led the Warriors from the backfield, putting up impressive statistics. Simmons led Class A with 2,583 yards and 35 touchdowns on 280 carries.

Now Simmons is playing linebacker for Navy, but Washington hasn’t lost a step in the backfield. In fact, it may have gained one or two.

Josh Zimmer has vaulted into the limelight with a spectacular start. The junior who replaced Simmons has carried the ball 57 times for 533 yards and 16 touchdowns for the 3-1 Warriors.

He’s found the end zone six times in each of the last two games.

“He’s a great athlete, he’s got nice speed, he can carry the ball well and he’s a tough runner,” Washington coach Dennis McCray said. “But what I’m impressed most with about Josh is his vision. He sees the field extremely well. He anticipates where defenders are going to go.”

Zimmer gets at least some of his vision from playing defense.

Like Simmons, he’s a linebacker for Washington.

But his gaudy statistics on the offensive side overshadow his defensive abilities.

“Oh, I definitely feel like I enjoy running the ball more,” Zimmer said.

Most around the state didn’t know much about Zimmer coming into the season. And Simmons’ departure raised questions about just how effective Washington’s offense would be this year.

A week 1 loss at home to Bethany didn’t provide any answers.

Though quarterback Tyler Hancock threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns, Zimmer never really got going. He finished with just 38 yards on 12 carries.

“I was real nervous that first game,” Zimmer said. “I was just jumpy, it being my first start at running back.”

But since struggling against Bethany, Zimmer has exploded.