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Derrick Henry breaks Ken Hall's national high school rushing record

Derrick Henry is the new high school career rushing yard record holder, breaking a nearly 60 year old mark with a touchdown run.

Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

Derrick Henry set the national high school career rushing yards record on a touchdown run Friday night, putting six points on the board for Yulee and surpassing a mark set by Ken Hall that has lasted for nearly 60 years. He finished the night with six touchdowns from 482 yards on 58 carries. Yulee defeated Taylor County, 41-26.

The Yulee High School running back entered Friday night's game with 11,130 yards, just 102 short of Hall's record. He averages 327 yards per game and has never rushed for less than 100, so the entire crowd turned out knowing they would witness history.

The 6'3, 250-pound Henry broke the Florida single-game rushing record earlier this season when he posted 510 yards against Jackson. He entered the game tied for the national consecutive 100-yard game record, and with his 45th such game he takes that record. He also ties Emmitt Smith for the Florida record for all-time 100-yard games.

Ken Hall set the record in Sugar Land, Texas during the years 1950 to 1953. Sports Illustrated once called him the best high school football player ever, and when asked about the end of his record, Hall was a good sport. Speaking about himself and his teammates, he said:

"People have asked what would be your feeling [if the record is broken]. Well, we have had fun holding it. I sure hopes he has as much fun as we've had, whoever it is. I hope he feels some honor in it. It's something to be very proud of. Cherish it, protect it, because he'll be the one who has it."

Henry committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide earlier this year.

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Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.