Derrick Henry's single-game Florida high school rushing record snapped by Baker's Kayleb Wagner
BAKER, Fla. — Kayleb Wagner is now in the record books.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior running back gashed South Walton's defense to the tune of 535 rushing yards and six touchdowns in Baker's 49-48 win Friday night, breaking the Florida high school single-game rushing record previously held by Alabama Heisman Trophy winner and Tennessee Titans two-time NFL All-Pro Derrick Henry.
Henry, who set the record on Sept. 21, 2012 for Yulee with a 502-yard rushing game against Jackson, still holds the national record for career rushing yards (12,144) and the Florida high school single-season record in rushing yards (4,265).
"It feels kinda good but I need to get ready for next week," Wagner said. "I can't get too ahead of myself. I just need to focus because we play on Thursday. If I live in this too much I might not be prepared."
Wagner's historic evening started on his first offensive snap, turning the edge and rocketing up field for an 83-yard touchdown. But Wagner's night was just getting started in "The Swamp", finding the end zone two more times before halftime on runs of 40 and 73 yards.
The back-and-forth shootout between 1A Baker and 4A South Walton only fanned the flames, the full ferocity of Baker's old-school Wing-T offense taking center stage.
In the face of Seahawk stacked boxes, Wagner only grew stronger as the night wore on Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium. He tacked on touchdown runs of 93, 91 and 68 yards to push Baker past South Walton 49-48.
Kayleb Wagner salutes his Baker teammates on the offensive line
But humble to the core, he deflected the praise to the unmovable force of Kurt Armstrong, Greg Colegrove, Randall Godwin, Ethan Williams, Jace Tolbert and Jared Raybon.
"It's all to my offensive linemen," Wagner said after Baker's win. "They do all the work and I just look good. It doesn't get much better than this."
The banner night pushed his rushing totals to 802 yards and 10 touchdowns on 29 carries through two contests, an absurd average of 27.7 yards-per-carry.
"He's got to (score)," said Matt Brunson, Baker's head coach. "Our offensive line blocks and he runs. Brandon Moss, Ryan Fleming and Garrett McClendon do a great job from the fullback and wingback position blocking for him (Wagner). He is definitely a force to be reckoned with."
But this offensive output isn't unusual by Wagner's standards, who last year rushed for 1,403 yards and 18 touchdowns on 10.8 yards-per-carry as a sophomore despite being second on the depth chart behind Joe Brunson — who rushed for over 2,500 yards.
In a precursor of what was to come as lead back, Wagner took the reins of the offense and rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown in Baker's 2020 state championship win against Hawthorne.
"Without Joe, I wouldn't be where I am at," Wagner said. "He taught me a lot."
Wagner's rushing prowess comes off constant conditioning, high football IQ and rare athletic ability — even in the face of adversity.
Wagner was born with amniotic band syndrome, a rare condition where damage to the amnion during pregnancy can cause congenital deformities to the limbs. Wagner is missing half his left forearm and hand.
The missing appendage has not handicapped the three-sport athlete, who bench presses 315-pounds, power cleans 330-pounds and squats 530-pounds.
"I wouldn't say it was the easiest but I didn't let it get to me too much because I viewed myself as a normal kid and did everything else normal kids do," Wagner said.
Wagner's birth defect didn't stop him from playing the sport he loves, a message he hopes other athletes can relate to.
"No matter what anyone says to you, negative-wise, I just wouldn't take it in," Wagner said. "Take it as motivation and build on it. Go out there and do your stuff. You're you. God put you here for a purpose."
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is Wagner is without a single college offer.
It's record-breaking nights like on Sept. 17 that can change the outlook of a prospect's future.
"I definitely want to play football at the next level," Wagner said. "That's always been a goal of mine since I was a little kid. If I focus on the rest of the season it can bring more attention than just one game."
The man whose record he beat has done well for himself at the next level. Henry moved on to play at Alabama, where he won the Heisman in 2015, before being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2016. He became the eighth player to rush for 2,000 in a season when he amassed 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2020, his sixth in the NFL.
The mentality is all gas and no brakes for Wagner and the Baker Gators, with a chance at a state repeat looming large. Wagner, along with perhaps the best 1A offensive line in Florida, will once again prove threatening during the playoff gauntlet.
Regardless of what happens between the hashes, the future is bright for Wagner.
"There's more to me than just football," Wagner said. "I'm a good kid in general with good grades and a level head. It's all hard work and dedication."
Get ready for the spotlight, Kayleb Wagner. It's about to shine bright.