Jake Browning ties national record for touchdown passes in a half

By Kevin Askeland Nov 17, 2014, 12:00am

Eight touchdowns in first half of win over Stagg ties state and national record.

Jake Browning has spent most of his senior season breaking state records, and Saturday in a 70-14 win over Stagg (Stockton, Calif.) he added a national record to the list.

Jake Browning, Folsom
Jake Browning, Folsom
Photo by Todd Shurtleff
With eight touchdown passes in the first half of a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoff game, the Folsom (Calif.) senior quarterback tied a national record for touchdown passes in a half.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations Record Book, two players have previously accomplished the feat. Chris Redman of Male (Louisville, Ky.) did it on consecutive weeks in 1994 while Thomas Thrash of Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, Ark.) did it in 2001.

Kaylor Sullivan of Fort Bragg (Calif.) also threw eight touchdowns in the first half of a 55-0 win over Encina Prep (Sacramento, Calif.) earlier this year.



Arthur Smith of Cozad (Neb.) likely threw eight touchdowns in a half, or possibly more, considering that he reportedly threw 15 touchdown passes in a game against Overton in 1921. However, his touchdown totals by half have not been reported.

Browning, who has committed to play at Washington, also has 64 touchdown passes on the season, making him the first quarterback in high school history with 60 or more touchdown passes in three different seasons. He had 63 touchdown passes as a sophomore and 75 last year.

With 202 career touchdown passes, Browning is just 17 behind the national career record of 219 by Maty Mauk of Kenton (Ohio). He could play as many as five more games this season.