TSSAA record: MTCS' Kemari McGowan breaks mark for rushing yards by a quarterback

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

It was a record-setting night for Middle Tennessee Christian senior Kemari McGowan Friday at Grace Christian-Franklin.

McGowan broke the TSSAA record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback, running for 442 yards in a 60-22 Cougar victory.

The previous record was 439, held by Trinity Christian Academy's Andrew Goldsmith (Oct. 23, 2015).

"I don't think it's sunk in yet," said McGowan, of the record.

MTCS coach Fred Shambaugh confirmed McGowan's rushing total Saturday and said he would be submitting the record to TSSAA. The 442 yards would also put McGowan sixth overall in rushing yards for a single game by any player.

He scored seven touchdowns in the win.

McGowan has been a four-year starter at running back for the Cougars, but with the team struggling through several injuries, including three quarterbacks out Friday, he was pressed into Wildcat duty Friday against the winless Lions.

Starting QB Jackson Green missed the game because of an illness. His two backups were out with injuries.

McGowan took 17 snaps, all of which were running plays. He played only three quarters and the Cougars had just 22 offensive snaps the entire game.

"When we got into the fourth quarter, we had a freshman in there, handing the ball off," Shambaugh said. "We used to do a little Wildcat with him when he was younger. with a bazillion carries and a bazillion yards (in his career), he's battle tested now. There were a few bad snaps last night, but he's so athletic he was able to field them and make something out of it."

Added McGowan, "I'm pretty comfortable (in the Wildcat), except for throwing."

MTCS senior Kemari McGowan rushed for 442 yards on 17 carries Friday night at Grace Christian-Franklin, breaking the TSSAA record for yards rushing by a quarterback in a game.

McGowan actually had an 80-yard touchdown run called back for a holding penalty just as the clock was winding down before halftime. 

On top of the seven touchdowns, McGowan added five 2-point conversion runs, as Green is also the team's long-snapper and the Cougars were not able to kick extra points.

McGowan who was a DII-A Mr. Football semifinalist in 2017 and 2018, entered the season with 4,874 career rushing yards and 54 touchdowns. He now has 1,428 rushing yards and 16 TDs this season after a slow start against a tough schedule.

He has no composite ranking nor college offers listed on his 247Sports profile, but Shambaugh said McGowan had an offer from Cincinnati Christian. Shambaugh added that Air Force and Navy were interested, depending on test scores.

"I'm still working on it, though," said McGowan, of the recruitment process.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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