Raleigh-area star breaks NC high school football rushing record Friday
Friday night, Cardinal Gibbons senior Donovan Shepard had a night to remember.
In a 56-14 win over Athens Drive, Shepard ran 19 times for 539 yards, according to Gibbons coach Steven Wright.
Shepard averaged 28.4 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns. He broke the 9-year-old N.C. single game rushing record set by Northern Guilford’s TJ Logan.
Logan set the record in the 2012 state championship game against Charlotte Catholic. He ran for 510 yards in a 64-26 win in the N.C. 3AA final.
Friday, Gibbons won its fourth straight game and improved to 7-2.
Top 10 NCHSAA rushing performances
| Rk. | Name (School) | Year | Yards |
| 1. | Donovan Shepard (Cardinal Gibbons) | 2021 | 539 |
| 2. | TJ Logan (Northern Guilford) | 2012 | 510 |
| 3. | Kenny Purvis (Central Cabarrus) | 2013 | 505 |
| 4. | Akile Jones (Lejuene) | 2011 | 490 |
| 5. | Greg Williams (Enloe) | 2005 | 484 |
| 6. | Cory Hunter (Fuquay-Varina) | 2009 | 463 |
| 7. | Mike Hill (Harnett Central) | 2003 | 461 |
| 8. | Jager Gardner (Charles D. Owen) | 2013 | 459 |
| 9. | Carter Sharpe (EE Smith) | 2004 | 457 |
| 10. | Willie Brown (Murphy) | 1974 | 457 |
Langston Wertz Jr.
The Charlotte Observer