Myles McLaughlin of
Knox broke national records for single-season rushing touchdowns and yards Friday night during his team's 28-21 victory over
Angola in the Indiana Class 3A state playoffs. To top it off, he sealed the victory on the defensive side of the ball by picking off a pass with under a minute remaining.
The first record to fall was 68 rushing touchdowns established by Charlie Spegal of
New Palestine (Ind.) in 2017 and T.A. McLendon of
Albemarle (N.C.) in 2001. After a 52-yard scoring run in the first quarter, McLaughlin's record-breaking trip to the end zone came early in the second on a nine-yard run.
McLaughlin, who finished the regional final win with 53 carries for 372 yards and four scores, would elevate his record total to 71 by the end of the evening.
Pictured here in the end zone on his record-breaking touchdown run, Myles McLaughlin scored three times in the first half Friday night. (PHOTO: Dean Reid)
In the fourth quarter, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior
quarterback broke the single-season rushing record of 4,704 held by Dominick Bragalone of
South Williamsport (Pa.). The record fell on a long scoring drive capped by McLaughlin’s fourth TD of the night that extended Knox’s lead to 28-21 late in the fourth.
McLaughlin's 372 yards Friday put him at 4,768 for the year.
Receiving interest from several Division I programs, McLaughlin holds offers from Ball State and Valparaiso. He admitted that his historic senior year is one he never saw coming.
"Honestly, even last year, I wasn't sure what was going to happen, even with the Indiana rushing record," McLaughlin said before Friday’s game. "I got blessed this year with a great team and a great line, and it helped me out a lot."
Myles McLaughlin cuts up the field during Friday night's Class 3A state playoff game against Angola. (PHOTO: Dean Reid)
The victory for Knox (13-0) victory means McLaughlin has the opportunity to continue to chase Derrick Henry's career high school rushing record of 12,124 yards. He also shattered the Indiana state single-season record for rushing attempts at 462.
"I just want to win," McLaughlin said. "I want to win a state championship for my school. We've never won a state championship here. So my goal is to keep winning. And I think with the winning, the records will come."
