Football rushing leaders: Brookville’s Wallen hits 2,035 yards

Brookville running back Bailey Wallen joined the exclusive 2,000-yard rushing club Thursday night.

The senior rushed for 150 yards and one touchdown in a regular-season ending 24-21 Week 10 loss at Franklin in Southwestern Buckeye League high school football. Midway through the fourth quarter he surpassed 2,000 yards rushing for the season and ended his 10-game total with 2,035 yards and 27 TDs.

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Only Sidney senior Isaiah Bowser (2,213) has more yards gained. Wallen is the only area running back to complete the regular season. Most area teams will play Week 10 games tonight, Friday, Oct. 27.

According to available stats, Will Homan of Fort Recovery (1,862 yards) and Eli Gibson of Preble Shawnee (1,719) are the only other area backs to have a legitimate shot at 2,000 yards rushing with one regular-season game remaining.

The loss dropped Brookville (6-4) out of Division V, Region 20 playoff contention, but there is reason to celebrate in Wallen. The 5-foot-10, 191-pounder ends his Blue Devils career among the most prolific backs in area and SWBL history. A three-year starter, he amassed 5,508 yards rushing and scored 80 touchdowns in 40 games from 2014-17.

“Bailey is a great young man,” coach Mike Hetrick said on Friday. “He has been a special player for us and has had an outstanding career. He is the ultimate team player and willing to do whatever it takes to win. It has been a privilege to coach him the last four years.”

As a senior Bailey put a season-high 354 yards rushing and six TDs on Milton-Union in a 49-35 win. He also had 334 yards and three scores in a 63-42 shootout win at Oakwood. His single-game high was 382 yards rushing and an astonishing seven TDs in a 55-28 win at Eaton as a junior.

Brookville had a 28-16 combined won-loss record in Wallen’s four seasons. As a sophomore Brookville (12-1) was 10-0 in the regular season, won a SWBL Southwestern Division title and lost 31-13 to eventual state champ Coldwater in a D-V, Region 18 final. Coldwater (15-0) won its fourth straight championship that season.

Hetrick said Wallen intends to pursue college football and is uncommitted.

Trotwood-Madison senior Ra’veion Hargrove is the area’s all-time, single-season rushing leader. He went for 3,039 yards in 14 games as a sophomore in 2015.

Area rushing leaders through 9 games

• Isaiah Bowser, sr., Sidney: 276 carries; 2,213 yards (8.0 average); 27 TDs.

• Bailey Wallen*, sr., Brookville: 229-2,035 (8.9); 27 TDs.

• Will Homan, sr., Fort Recovery: 219-1,862 (8.5); 19 TDs.

• Eli Gibson, sr., Preble Shawnee: 238-1,719 (7.2); 14 TDs.

• Ra'veion Hargrove, sr., Trotwood-Madison: 109-1,467 (13.5); 26 TDs.

• Kaden Wenger, sr., Beavercreek: 218-1,314 (6.0); 10 TDs.

• John Bivens, jr., Alter: 132-1,308 (9.9); 17 TDs.

* Season completed.

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