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Arizona teacher wins running backs position

We should all listen more to our teachers. That was definitely the case at the running backs position in the Fantasy Index Open. Chris Durham – a teacher in Yuma, Ariz. – not only won this position, he blew away all of the other 191 entries by almost 2,000 points.

Hardly seems possible, but it’s true. Durham wanted no part of LeVeon Bell, who was starting the season with a two-game suspension, ranking him only 16th on his board. All but two of the other entries had Bell in at least their top 13, and Bell’s average slot was 4th. He ended up playing in only six games, and created a huge chunk of relative value for Durham.

But that wasn’t Durham’s only smart pick. Attorney Brad Freeman, after all, didn’t rank Bell at all. Durham also put Chris Ivory and Doug Martin in his top 10, and was one of the few who at least mentioned the No. 1 overall back, Devonta Freeman. He took everyone to school at this position, you might say.

Jason Howe, a regional manager in Oakland, finished 2nd, but just 63 points ahead of Michael McAninch, a network engineer in Naperville, Ill. This position was Durham’s all the way.

FANTASY INDEX OPEN (Running backs)
RkNameStateOccupationPoints
1.Chris DurhamAriz.Teacher44,641
2.Jason HoweCalif.Regional Manager42,784
3.Michael McAninchIll.Network Engineer42,720
4.Paul OwersFla.writer42,669
5.John BroadbentPa.Implementation Analyst42,368
6.Rob DammersN.J.Senior Tech Analyst42,354
7.Jon HansenNev.Casino Dealer42,320
8.Daniel MacDonaldCalif.Transportation Manager42,117
9.Richard MeyersAla.Quality Engineer41,978
10.Andrew LeahyN.J.Sales Director41,903
11.Owen KennedyOnt.Student41,837
12.John D. SmithPa.Warehouse Manager41,710
13.Pete CollinsIll.Product Architect41,658
14.Chris WinderCalif.Teacher41,551
15.Stephen McKenzieWis.Books Are Fun Salesman41,550
16.Brett WattsS.C.Product Manager41,543
17.Miguel TamesFla.Retail Manager41,511
18.Matt WeightMinn.Football Enthusiast41,498
19.Cliff ShannonB.C.City Worker41,366
20.Henry GongPa.Chemist41,365

Durham’s big win, however, wasn’t enough to get him into the current top 20. He’s sitting in the No. 21 spot, with now only one position left to go.

Pete Collins (Illinois) is the current leader, with Dave Pizzica (Pa.) dropping to the 2nd and Zach Leavitt (Colo.) and Jason Howe (Calif.) also right there.

The overall winner of this competition wins a humongous trophy from the team at click here." target=_new>Affordable Trophies. They’ve been partnering with us on this venture for the past four years.

The top 2 finishers earn berths in the Experts Poll competition in the 2016 edition of Fantasy Football Index magazine.

FANTASY INDEX OPEN (current overall)
RkNameStateRBWRTEPKSTTotal
1Pete CollinsIll.133428112187,346
2Dave PizzicaPa.772410468187,070
3Zach LeavittColo.733310140187,064
4Jason HoweCalif.223132752186,515
5Gary AllenS.C.1027327517185,457
6Michael O'BrienColo.4919644512185,151
7Jay Harding Ore.12914106532184,469
8Matt WeightMinn.1813146164184,463
9J.Brack VarnonTex.12813274727184,450
10Michael KoltonWis.1313339450184,349
11Greg ResinCalif.3198726116184,318
12Andrew LeahyN.J.1056431306184,169
13Zach NizolekMo.6867754167184,160
14Moishe SteigmannWis.43554010105184,131
15Steve BlenkerN.Y.47101425822184,092
16Michael McAninchIll.3801308713183,825
17Keen JohnsonMich.37381689132183,805
18Jim CoventryIll.8783553114183,767
19Tony HolmIll.741108158136183,730
20Tommy LibrettiN.Y.29157115108183,723

For running backs, this is how they ranked (with contestants in alphabetical order).

FANTASY INDEX OPEN, Running backs (alphabetical)
NameHometownPointsRank
Adam BergeronSalem, N.H.38,854162
Adam LockeLynnwood, Wash.39,702114
Adam SheetsSanta Rosa, Calif.39,507124
Adam TaylorMedia, Pa.38,047182
Andrew LeahyAudubon, N.J.41,90310
Andy RichardsonPort Chester, N.Y.40,81744
Ben MacLeodManchester, N.H.40,19385
Bill D'AllesandroHuntington, N.Y.39,739112
Bill MasonHuntersville, N.C.38,243179
Billy FriedrichRaleigh, N.C.38,414175
Bob AdelmanSt. Louis, Mo.39,059151
Bob TeccaMinneapolis, Minn.39,109147
Brad FreemanGeneva, Ill.41,31823
Brad HendersonLouisville, Ken.41,08833
Brent MilesPasco, Wash.39,892108
Brenton RobertsKirkland, Wash.38,813165
Brett WattsFlorence, S.C.41,54316
Brian SauberHighlands Ranch, Colo.39,671115
Bruce AlwineHavertown, Pa.39,341138
Charles RaifmanShort Hills, N.J.40,91338
Chris DurhamYuma, Ariz.44,6411
Chris HenkleAurora, Ill.40,46666
Chris HertzbergAustin, Tex.39,560120
Chris WeberAppleton, Wis.40,90640
Chris WhitneySan Jose, Calif.39,079149
Chris WinderSan Ramon, Calif.41,55114
Cliff ShannonMaple Ridge, B.C.41,36619
Cory BoniniSan Diego, Calif.40,38872
Craig LeedySacramento, Calif.40,64556
Curt GoldgrabeBoise, Idaho40,06796
Dale GanderSun Prairie, Wis.39,858110
Dana DuffieldRochester, Minn.40,30879
Daniel BowmanLiberty, Mo.40,46765
Daniel MacDonaldTorrance, Calif.42,1178
Dave CohenBrooklyn, N.Y.41,22526
Dave PizzicaSpringfield, Pa.40,35577
Dave WildeMukwonago, Wis.39,398132
David BouchardFort Kent, Maine40,55761
Dennis LyonsElk Grove, Calif.41,32422
Derek IrelanRound Hill, Va.39,609118
Don PavelkaPlainview, Minn.40,45870
Doug BrownFort Gratiot, Mich.40,75448
Doug PaceyTempe, Ariz.38,869160
Drew EnglebrightLondon, U.K.41,16927
Duke DavisMerchantville, N.J.40,028101
Ed BurkePhiladelphia, Pa.39,435130
Ed WeissParsippany, N.J.40,44371
Eric GoetzShoreline, Wash.39,206144
Eric GustitusExeter, Pa.38,528172
Eric ScolnickRedmond, Wash.38,850163
Fabrizio DanovaLos Angeles, Calif.38,572169
Frank RotellaSewell, N.J.41,35621
Frank ShinnickMilford, Mass.40,11391
Gary AllenCharleston, S.C.40,020102
Geoff GreggsRoy, Wash.38,962154
Glen WilliamsColumbus, Ohio37,675187
Greg HeminwaySacramento, Calif.40,67854
Greg ResinHermosa Beach, Calif.41,12431
Henry GoersBartlett, Ill.41,10432
Henry GongState College, Pa.41,36520
Ian AllanSeattle, Wash.39,657116
Ian MacEwenSeven Hills, Ohio39,282141
J.Brack VarnonHouston, Tex.39,441128
Jacques DuggerTaylor, Mich.39,174145
James WimmersLincolnton, N.C.40,88542
Jamie AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.39,530121
Jared RossChampaign, Ill.40,56959
Jason HoweOakland, Calif.42,7842
Jason HowesStewartville, Minn.41,16428
Jason PilonRoseville, Minn.40,77446
Jay Harding Portland, Ore.39,440129
Jeff AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.39,093148
Jeff FossettNewburgh, Ind.38,016183
Jeff FriedrichGreenville, N.C.40,08094
Jeff NoordhoffIndialantic, Fla.39,997104
Jeff RossLake Villa, Ill.39,074150
Jeffery LebeoufCrowley, La.39,353136
Jeremy SchwartzEdison, N.J.40,61058
Jesse McGuiganPittsburgh, Pa.41,24924
Jim CoventryChicago, Ill.40,18487
Jim KangasViroqua, Wis.39,372135
Jim KovacTucson, Ariz.38,223181
John BroadbentPhiladelphia, Pa.42,3685
John D. SmithWillow Grove, Pa.41,71012
John DentAnn Arbor, Mich.39,386133
John DugginsGreenville, S.C.40,56260
John LapertosaBethpage, N.Y.39,126146
John MooreSea Isle City, N.J.39,519122
John RuppeFort Myers, Fla.40,06198
John SmulowitzWilkes-Barre, Pa.38,997153
John StolzmannLas Vegas, Nev.39,915106
Johnny BazzanoSanta Rosa, Calif.39,602119
Johnny PullenTampa, Fla.38,900157
Jon HansenReno, Nev.42,3207
Jon RodningenOmaha, Neb.37,151191
Jonathan MoraChicago, Ill.40,20783
Joseph MichelangeloOceanside, N.Y.38,407176
Keen JohnsonDearborn, Mich.40,94537
Ken NormanChanhassen, Minn.40,25781
Ken ValisGaithersburg, Md.38,842164
Kenneth JonesAurora, Colo.40,31978
Kenneth YuenArlington Heights, Ill.40,89041
Kevin CuozzoConcord, Mass.38,533171
Kevin E. SmithPhiladelphia, Pa.39,951105
Kevin HallAllen, Tex.39,881109
Kyle SoppeRochester, N.Y.39,223143
Larry WeinhauerAndover, N.Y.38,879159
Mark BurnsRunnemede, N.J.40,14689
Mark KundrotasWaterford, N.J.39,495125
Mark StoeckerDallas, Tex.39,905107
Matt WeightMinneapolis, Minn.41,49818
Michael DeSarioLas Vegas, Nev.41,06834
Michael KoltonGreen Bay, Wis.39,425131
Michael LivengoodWard, Ark.38,892158
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.42,7203
Michael McIlraithNorth Hollywood, Calif.40,06397
Michael O'BrienBrighton, Colo.40,75149
Michael StoltzGreat Falls, Va.40,11890
Miguel TamesMiami, Fla.41,51117
Mike BallietMilton, Pa.39,441127
Mike ClayBlandon, Pa.40,80745
Mike CraigKokoko, Ind.40,19484
Mike KnorowskiWesley Chapel, Fla.40,06199
Mike KovacevLynnfield, Mass.39,455126
Mike McIlraithFort Worth, Tex.37,457190
Mike NeaseWest Chicago, Ill.39,795111
Mike RickelIra twp, Mich.40,053100
Mike TaylorMeridian, Idaho40,46167
Mike WellsGood Thunder, Minn.40,45869
Moishe SteigmannMilwaukee, Wis.40,88443
Nathan KlineTopton, Pa.38,336178
Nathan PriestWaynesboro, Pa.38,648167
Nathan RobertsLucasville, Ohio37,458189
Nathan ZanonSan Jose, Calif.40,54664
Nick PetrevskiEl Segundo, Calif.40,30580
Norm ShirkRockford, Ill.37,662188
Owen KennedyMidhurst, Ont.41,83711
Paul McCannHopewell Twp., Pa.37,725186
Paul OwersLake Worth , Fla.42,6694
Paul StaasPompano Beach, Fla.39,281142
Pete CollinsOrland Park, Ill.41,65813
Pete OwersWest Palm Beach, Fla.41,12730
Pete RichmondAlexandria, Va.39,289139
Peter JohnsonFullerton, Calif.40,98336
Rich MaysThe Dalles, Ore.41,04035
Richard FechterCoral Gables, Fla.38,862161
Richard JacksonSan Francisco, Calif.41,24325
Richard LoppnowEphrata, Wash.40,55463
Richard MeadorsSeymour , Ind.40,09693
Richard MeyersGurley, Ala.41,9789
Rob DammersRingwood, N.J.42,3546
Robert MilelliCherry Hill, N.J.38,915155
Rocky PetrellaPhiladelphia, Pa.40,70253
Rudy FloresChicago, Ill.38,238180
Rustin PaulNew York, N.Y.36,226192
Rusty StephensAtlanta, Ga.40,24482
Sam WoodBoston, Mass.40,15088
Scott AndersonLakewood, Colo.40,70252
Scott KopischkeMenomonee Falls, Wis.39,623117
Scott LilesRussellville, Ark.40,55662
Scott SachsCanton, Ohio38,360177
Seamus McGuiganPittsburgh, Pa.39,716113
Sean ChiFlushing, N.Y.40,67255
Sebastian Falsone Philadelphia, Pa.40,61257
Sergio GarciaLake Elsinore, Calif.38,912156
Shane ScottToronto, Ont.39,341137
Stephen McKenzieNew Richmond, Wis.41,55015
Steve BlenkerSloan, N.Y.40,76047
Steve ClarkLas Vegas, Nev.38,006184
Steve HorneNovi, Mich.37,754185
Steve HoytBuffalo Grove, Ill.38,618168
Steve MathAustin, Tex.38,564170
Steve MoyerOakland, Calif.40,74650
Steve TortoraWallingford, Conn.40,017103
Steven AlessandriniFlanders, N.J.39,380134
Thomas AlexanderBristow, Va.38,458173
Tim SmithHayward, Calif.40,18586
Tim WandlingRohnert Park, Calif.40,71851
Todd VoorheesChula Vista, Calif.40,11092
Tom DeskovitzSouth Lyon, Mich.40,91139
Tom MorandeTinley Park, Ill.39,283140
Tommy LibrettiLong Island, N.Y.41,14229
Tony HolmChicago, Ill.40,38474
Tony ZellerDundalk, Md.40,38275
Travis PerryCoeburn, Va.38,442174
Trevor RossEdmonton, Alberta40,07695
Trey QuinnAnnapolis, Md.40,36576
Victor KitzesMaple Valley, Wash.38,700166
Will CarpenterSeven Lakes, N.C.39,015152
William RehorCulver City, Calif.39,514123
Zach LeavittHighlands Ranch, Colo.40,38773
Zach NizolekKansas City, Mo.40,46068

—Ian Allan

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