McKinney HS running back sets state record with 599 yards rushing

McKinney High School running back Matt Gadek set the Texas single-game rushing record with 599 yards in a 63-50 victory against Plano East on Thursday night.

With a 31-yard run on the second-to-last play, Gadek broke the record of 587 yards rushing by Somerville's Daryl Ellis in 1998, according to Texas Football magazine.

Throughout the season, the McKinney coaching staff said they knew this performance could happen. They charted where Gadek stood compared to school and state records.

“We knew he would be close if he had a big second half,” said coach Jeff Smith.

It came down to one chance, a 4th-and-1 play, looking to secure the victory. Smith had one last talk with his star running back.

“If you wanna get it, you've got one shot to get 25 yards, go out and get it,” Smith said he told Gadek.

The running back said he “hit it on the outside” and got 31 yards, more than enough to pass the 587-yard record.

Gadek said it’s been a whirlwind ever since the game ended.

“Just getting notifications on Twitter, talking to news people like y’all, never had this much attention in my life,” Gadek said.

Any good running back will always give credit to his offensive line, and Gadek has a nickname for the guys in front of him.

“Pancake platoons... just pancaking everyone,” Gadek said.

With all of these yards and all of these records, Gadek still doesn't have a division i college football scholarship opportunity.  A game like last night could change some minds.

“Somebody needs to offer him something,” Smith said. “There have been people here, but he just keeps doing his thing.”

Gadek broke McKinney's career rushing record held by former Oklahoma running back Donta Hickson, who also held the previous single-game mark at 415 yards in 2000. Gadek, a senior who has 4,371 career yards, tied Hickson's single-game school record with six touchdowns rushing.

The national record is 754 yards by John Giannantonio of Netcong, New Jersey, in 1950, according to the National Federation of High Schools.