Hopewell senior now has 7,718 career yards; State record is new goal.
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
