Hopewell (Aliquippa, Pa.) senior running back
Rushel Shell broke the Western Pennsylvania (WPIAL) career rushing record Friday night when he ran 32 times for 205 yards and three touchdowns during a 27-20 football victory over Mt. Lebanon (Pittsburgh, Pa.).
That gave the 5-foot-11, 215-pound bruiser 7,718 yards for his career, surpassing the record of Mike Vernillo, who ran for 7,646 yards from 1996-99 at Fort Cherry (McDonald, Pa.).
Vernillo and former Hopewell and NFL great Tony Dorsett were present to witness the feat at Tony Dorsett Stadium in Aliquippa. Shell received a standing ovation when the record was announced.
Shell now has rushed for at least 100 yards in 33 consecutive games for Hopewell, which stands 4-0 this season.
He now is on pace to break the state record of 9,027 yards set by Jeremiah Young of Steelton-Highspire (Steelton, Pa.) from 2004-07.
Tom Lemming on Shell
