LITTLE ROCK — Wallace Foote didn’t surpass 3,000 career rushing yards quietly last Friday night at Russellville.
He left a historical footprint.
Benton’s gifted senior utility back ran 38 times for a school-record453 yards and 6 touchdowns in a 53-34 victory in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
Foote, 5-9, 175 pounds, has 3,444 career yards entering tonight’s quarterfinal playoff game at Pine Bluff.
“Unbelievable,” Panthers Coach Scott Neathery said. “I thought maybe he had 250 or 300 yards because you’re in the flow of the game. It was an amazing performance.”
Foote also caught 3 passes for 58 yards, completed a 44-yard pass and had 70 yards in kickoff returns.
His record-breaking night came eight days after he was held to a season-low 36 rushing yards by Pine Bluff in the regular-season finale.
“We kept him under control the first time,” Zebras Coach Bobby Bolding said.
“They do a good job of moving him around. Play him at all the different receiver spots, quarterback, both running back spots. You’ve got to pay attention to where he’s at.”
Bolding praised Foote for his ability to make defenders miss and running with a low pad level.
“He just keeps coming and coming,” Bolding said. “It doesn’t matter if you hit him. He just keeps coming.”
A heralded player coming out of junior high, Foote has been offered scholarships by Henderson State and Arkansas Tech, Neathery said.
Neathery said he had no idea what position Foote will play in college.
“He’s not going wow anybody with his 40 time at a combine,” Neathery said. “He’s just a football player.”
Foote is Class 6A’s leading rusher this season with 1,791 yards and 23 touchdowns on 215 carries.
He ran for 564 yards as a sophomore and 1,089 yards last fall.
Foote has also caught 104 passes for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career.
Sports, Pages 24 on 11/16/2012