Injury doesn’t keep East Lincoln’s Chazz Surratt from state record in win over East Burke
It took some unorthodox technique, but East Lincoln quarterback Chazz Surratt broke former Independence quarterback Chris Leak’s state total offense yardage record of 16,590 yards in the Mustangs’ 35-14 N.C. 2AA West Regional semifinal win over East Burke on Friday night.
Surratt severely injured his throwing left elbow during last week’s win against Wilkes Central. He received medical clearance to play this week. He played five snaps Friday with a brace and extra padding on his arm.
Surratt entered the game for the first time 11 minutes, 17 seconds left in the third quarter needing 9 yards for the record. He took snaps with his right hand before tapping or flipping the ball forward. He took a high snap and pushed it forward like a volleyball setter to running back Colton Banks, who was wrapped up for a 6-yard loss.
Surratt left the game after one play now needing 15. He returned with 11:51 left in the game and completed four short, off-handed flips to push him past Leak.
“Breaking the record at home was good for me,” Surratt said. “But it wasn’t just for me. I’ve had some great teammates over the last four years, and this was theirs, too.”
Doctors originally told Surratt that the ligament damage to his elbow would require surgery and four to six months of recovery. But Surratt said Friday that at least two doctors, including one at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he plans to enroll in January and attend spring practice, had examined him and said surgery might not be necessary.
Either way, Surratt – also an Associated Press all-state point guard in basketball – played his last high school athletic contest.
“It’s bittersweet,” Surratt said. “I’ve got about a month and a half, and I’ll be gone.”
Worth mentioning: Surratt’s replacement, freshman Marcus Graham, completed 15 of 23 pass attempts for 186 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed five times for 72 yards and a touchdown. Junior defensive back Trevor Childers returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown with 37 seconds left in the first quarter. Childers hauled in another interception on the second play of East Burke’s next drive, setting up a 6-yard touchdown run by Banks. Childers also scored on a 7-yard touchdown pass. East Burke’s Brandon Clark ran 37 times for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Records: East Lincoln is 14-0. East Burke finishes the season 8-6.
What’s next: East Lincoln plays at Monroe.
This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 11:10 PM with the headline "Injury doesn’t keep East Lincoln’s Chazz Surratt from state record in win over East Burke."