STORY -- So. Wayne @ N. Lenoir

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on September 11, 2016 1:48 AM

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La GRANGE -- Manny Walker had the night that few running backs dream about and never experience during their high school campaign.

The Southern Wayne junior rushed for career highs of 436 yards and seven touchdowns during a 63-57, non-conference shootout loss to North Lenoir at Bullock Field on Friday evening.

Walker established two single-game school records, two Wayne County records and etched his name in the N.C. High School Athletic Association record book as well. The 436 yards and seven TDs are the most in program history. His rushing total broke the previous single-game school mark (391) set by Darion Kelly against Kinston in 2002.

The 436-yard output shattered the Wayne County record of 405 yards set by Goldsboro's Montrell Coley in 1996 during a 47-26 win over Wilmington New Hanover.

And Walker's seven TDs -- six rushing, one receiving -- in a single game is not only a Wayne County record, but he shares that mark along with 22 other players statewide, according to the Association record book.

The Saints, who snapped the state's longest losing streak (29 games) just two days earlier against Goldsboro, amassed 563 yards of total offense against a porous Hawks' defense.

Walker scored on touchdown gallops that covered 55, 37, 65, 52, 77 and 35 yards. He hauled in a 23-yard touchdown strike from Quentin Carlton in the opening quarter.

Carlton snagged a 25-yard TD pass from Carlton in the third quarter. Carlton and Eron Ermilus combined for 64 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

Southern Wayne (1-2 overall) is the guest of Kinston next week.