Nate Thompson, a senior running back at Columbia Falls High School, has been unstoppable through three games on the gridiron this year. Thompson has rushed for 668 yards and four touchdowns on 63 carries, better than 10 yards per carry. Thompson is averaging over 222 yards per game, more than double the next closest rusher to him in Northwestern A.
It’s tough to believe Thompson will keep this pace up for the rest of the season, but it’s never too early to begin hoping for history. According to the Montana High School Association record books, only two rushers have ever averaged more than 200 yards rushing per game in Montana: Dana Knox of Fergus and R.J. Olson of Butte Central. With that said, I’ve found inconsistencies and missing entries in MHSA’s record books before.
Knox’s total, achieved in 2001, is the highest in MHSA’s records at 212.7 yards per game. Olson’s average was 203.3. Even if there have been other runners who have averaged more than 200 yards per game, I doubt there are that many more, especially in Class A.
Again, we’re getting ahead of ourselves, but why not? It’s fun. Let’s cheer for Thompson and enjoy the ride.