Two Arkansas backs set school rushing records
Two of the Natural State's top running backs had record setting nights this past Friday night, as Ryan McDonald set the all-time rushing record for the Charleston Tigers, and Raphael Caldwell set the all-time rushing record for the Rison Wildcats.
On Friday night, McDonald had 25 carries For 269 yards and a TD to become the Tigers' all-time leading rusher with 3,071 yards. He has a career average of 8.74 YPC.
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Travis Prescott was the previous record holder for the Tigers, with 2,957 yards.
McDonald is a college prospect. He is 5-11, 170 pounds and ran a 4.7 electronic timed 40-yard-dash at this past year's FCA Combine. He has picked up interest from Arkansas, Alabama, Ole Miss, Harding University, Southern Arkansas University, and a host of others.
Caldwell broke his second record in two weeks.
He broke Shawn Williams' all-time record of 59 touchdowns at Rison two weeks ago, and to date has 71 total touchdowns.
Friday night Caldwell rushed for over 100 yards and three touchdowns. He has over 4,200 career yards now, breaking Roderick Smith's former record, with five games remaining in the season.
He could potentially break into the state's Top 12 all-time rushing list and could go over 5,000 yards if the Wildcats can make a deep playoff run as they are expected to do. Cabot's Brian Jones (1996-98) sits at No. 12 with 4,796 yards. Next is Mineral Springs' Cedric Smith (2004-06) with 4,970. McGehee's Lenorse Bailey (1998-99) is No. 10 with 5,047.
Caldwell is also a college prospect.
He is 6-0, 175, with a 4.57 electronic timed 40-yard-dash. Schools showing interest in him include Arkansas State, Ole Miss, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana Monroe, Central Arkansas, Harding University, Southern Arkansas University, and a host of others.
A little known fact outside of Rison about Caldwell is that he is the brother of former Rison standout Wayne Wainright, who has several records in the Arkansas Activities Association record books. Wainright was part of Rison's 2004 Class 2A State Championship team.
McDonald and the No. 6-ranked Charleston Tigers will travel to Atkins this week, while Caldwell and the No. 3-ranked Rison Wildcats travel to Genoa Central.
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