Though playing for one of the smallest schools in Illinois, Lexington senior T.J. Stinde set the state single-season rushing record and tied the touchdown record during a 27-20 victory over Lena-Winslow in the Class 1A state semifinals.
The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder, who bench-presses 350 pounds, rushed for 268 yards and three touchdowns, giving him a state-record 3,197 yards this season. His rushing touchdown total rose to 45, which tied the state record. He has 47 overall touchdowns, just four short of that record.
The previous rushing record was 3,127 yards by Sean Dunning of Decatur St. Teresa in 2005. The record of 45 touchdowns originally was set by Billy Greenwald of Highland in 1989.
T.J. Stinde, Lexington
File photo
This year, he has rushed 338 times for 3,197 yards and 45 touchdowns. While playing outside linebacker, he has made 56 solo and 27 assisted tackles, plus seven tackles for losses.
In his career, he has rushed 603 times for 5,170 yards (an 8.6 average) and 74 touchdowns. He also has made 26 catches for 565 yards and nine touchdowns. Earlier this year, he tied the state record with his seventh kickoff return for a touchdown. He has accounted for a total of 90 touchdowns and 600 points.
"He’s the best running back I’ve ever seen," coach Mike Castleman said. "He’s as good now as some that I played with in college. He’s so strong and fast and breaks tackles. He’s very elusive. People are putting eight or nine in the box. Everybody knows he’s going to get the ball."
Castleman admitted he did not see the records coming, but he pointed out that Stinde’s great offseason work ethic had a lot to do with it.
Thus far, major colleges are not showing much interest, Castleman said, because "a lot of people get scared away due to our 1A competition. I don’t think you’d see any difference (if he played for a large school). The size of the school is irrelevant."
Stinde will have one more chance to add to his records when the Minutemen carry a 13-0 record into the state championship game Friday against Tuscola.
