Clemson 2014 commit Jae'lon Oglesby shatters 39-year old record Friday night

Oglesby ran for 385 yards on 23 carries Friday night

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat Oct 27 10:31:23 GMT-04:00 2012

SENECA - Jae’lon Oglesby, have yourself a night.

The Daniel High School junior running back and 2014 Clemson commitment helped Daniel end the regular season on a high note by shattering a school rushing record that had stood for 39 years, carrying the ball 23 times for 385 yards in Daniel’s 35-7 win over Seneca, clinching the Region 1-AAA title.

Oglesby averaged 16.73 yards per carry in breaking the record of 353, set by Miller Dawson in 1973.

Oglesby said after the game that he not only had to give credit to his offensive line, but Friday night’s game was simply an extension of what the Lions work on in practice.

“I just work with my offensive linemen every week and every day,” Oglesby said. “We just take what we learn at practice and put it in the game. Tonight it worked. Our offensive line executed on their blocks. JaMo [offensive line coach Jamie Wilson] just told me to follow them and that’s what I did. “

The Daniel staff knew that Oglesby was nearing the record late in the game – he had 350 yards and was three yards shy – and the offensive line begged head coach Randy Robinson to give Oglesby one more shot at breaking the record.

Oglesby did just that, scampering 35 yards for a touchdown and Daniel’s final points of the evening.

Robinson said he debated whether Oglesby should even be in the game with the Lions up 28-7.

“As a head coach, you feel like you have the game in hand and you are a nervous wreck,” Robinson said. “Do you give him one more touch to try to get a record or keep him on the sideline? He asked and the offensive line wanted it more than he did. We gave him one more touch and he got a record.”

Oglesby had gotten close to the record with some long runs earlier in the evening – he had a 73-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that gave Daniel a 7-0 lead. He then added a five-yard dash to the pylon for a 14-0 lead, and had a 67-yard touchdown run later in the half that gave Daniel a 21-7 lead at intermission.

His most exciting run happened in the second half, however. Seneca was driving for a score, but Bobcats’ quarterback Spencer Brothers’ pass was picked off on the Lion one-yard line, setting up another Oglesby highlight.

Oglesby took the handoff, avoided a safety, broke through the line and raced 99 yards for the touchdown and a 28-7 lead that changed the momentum of the game.