Greatest Texas HS Running Back
#1
Posted 14 December 2003 - 01:58 PM
#2
Posted 14 December 2003 - 02:53 PM
#3
Posted 14 December 2003 - 03:04 PM
Sugar Land's Hall remains true Texas folk hero
By MICKEY HERSKOWITZ
Who is Kenneth Hall and why, after no small amount of civic bickering, will a football stadium in Fort Bend County be named after him?
Let the record show we are not licensed to comment on the decisions of the Sugar Land school board. A case had been made for Buddy Hobson, a dedicated coach and administrator who spent his entire career within the system. But the Ken Hall faction won out, indicating memories are not as short as many thought.
So who was he and what did he do?
Kenneth Hall of Sugar Land was the greatest running back in the history of high school football, which might surprise a heck of a lot of people who did not live in Texas in the 1950s. Hall once owned every record worth owning and still holds some of them 50 years later, which is only part of the reason he became a mythic figure in a game that's already larger than life.
Records are only temporary, most of them, but goodness and greatness are forever. Hall had both.
He was more than Hollywood handsome. He had an all-American face, looks that were made for a yearbook or the "after" photo in a dental pamphlet. He was every mother's son, a serious student, happy playing football but just as happy playing the trumpet in his high school band.
As a junior, he left football practice early once a week to work as an usher at the local movie theater.
Sugar Land was once a quintessential small Texas town, a company town, known for its prison farm and fields of sugar cane. The Imperial Sugar Co. employed nearly everyone.
The stadium where Hall worked his wonders no longer exists, and neither does the school. The new one will be in Missouri City with seating for a few thousand. In Hall's heyday, the Sugar Land Gators ran the Notre Dame box and played in a stadium with dim lights and wooden planks that seated a few hundred.
But in the 1950s, the fans understood that stadiums were meant to showcase champions, not replace them. A tailback who ran, passed, punted and kicked, Hall is defined by his high school career because his college and pro experience was fragmented.
This is the reason Hall is not in the pantheon of football icons, ranked with the Doak Walkers or Earl Campbells or Eric Dickersons among the many who trail him on the all-time Texas high school rushing lists.
What keeps this tale from becoming melancholy, or another take on the familiar theme of high promise unfulfilled, is the fact that by all accounts Ken has led a happy and exemplary life, with one wife and two sons, nothing but success in business and a smooth, active retirement. All of which cuts to the heart of the legend. Ken Hall was, always has been, a modest, caring, unselfish, unspoiled, uncomplaining character.
It was as if the football fates had decided he was the perfect high school hero and his golden boy, golden years would end there.
So this is the tradeoff: In his maturity, he was not in the forefront of public consciousness. But for those who consider high school the best years of their lives, Kenneth Hall was in a class of his own.
What a score you could make on one of those sports trivia quizzes if you were asked: What Texan holds the lifetime record for rushing yards? The answer would not be Walker, Campbell, Dickerson, Dick Todd, Billy Sims or Warren McVea. And never mind the rest of America.
The answer would be Kenneth Hall, who had 11,232 yards between 1950 and 1953. No other schoolboy ever reached 10,000. And for nearly 25 years, the answer was Ken Hall in four other major categories: most yards in a season, most touchdowns in a season and a career and most total offense in a career.
His record for 100-yard games, 38, stood for 33 years until a kid from Florida named Emmitt Smith broke it.
As a senior in 1953, against Lutheran High of Houston, he rushed for 520 yards, scored seven touchdowns and kicked seven extra points. Then, with the game in the second quarter, he came out.
Tackling Hall was enough to make a star of an opposing player. "To me, he was a big Doak Walker," said Bobby Williams, who played against him at Missouri City and later was a player and coach at Rice.
Hall was part of the greatest recruiting class Texas A&M ever had, including such coveted prospects as John David Crow, Jim Stanley, Loyd Taylor, Charley Krueger and Bobby Joe Conrad. It was so good the NCAA slapped the Aggies with a two-year probation.
The first time he touched the ball as a freshman, Hall scored, and the recruits were quickly hailed as A&M's Team of Tomorrow. But for the polite Hall, tomorrow never came.
There was no reason to believe Kenneth would not thrive at Aggieland, playing for a coach, Bear Bryant, who loved the running game.
On the varsity, he never started a game or finished a season, a lasting regret to Aggies of that period and the greatest regret of Bryant's career. Years later, he wrote Ken a letter saying so.
Hall wasn't prepared for the ferocious brand of football the Bear favored in those years. Bryant miscast Hall from the start, moving him to fullback and linebacker, positions he never had played. In the middle of his junior year, Ken went home and married his high school sweetheart. Crow would go on to win the Heisman Trophy, but he says if Bryant understood Ken better, "the world would never have heard of John David Crow."
Hall played in Canada and with the Colts, Oilers and Cardinals. He ran back a kickoff 104 yards for the Oilers, even though his knees were ruined. He gave up football at 26. He now lives the retired life in Fredricksburg, about 40 miles northwest of San Antonio, and is still surprised when passers-by ask for his autograph.
One of his Aggies coaches said he looked like "a Greek god." Ken Hall was no quitter, and his attitude was anything but bitter.
"Coach Bryant said I was his biggest mistake," he once mused. "There is honor in that."
#4
Guest_dragondad_*
Posted 14 December 2003 - 03:07 PM
#5
Posted 14 December 2003 - 03:08 PM
#6
Posted 14 December 2003 - 03:59 PM
Can you give us some info on him?....not really that familiar with him.Jacoby Jones is one of the best backs I have seen the last two years
#7
Posted 14 December 2003 - 04:06 PM
The amarillo newspaper at amarillo.com might just have the best little write up about him.
Here is a clipping, this was prior to the 240+ yards yesterday, and may be off just a bit from official stats, I am not positive.
Dragons figure to feed the ball 30 times or more to 210-pound senior Jacoby Jones, who has rushed for 3,027 yards and 27 TDs. The Dragons' backfield also has 245-pound fullback Corey Apple, who has averaged 73 yards rushing during playoffs.
Edit: Jacoby also plays in the defense on secondary most every play, yesterday he had a 58(?) yard int return for a TD that of course is not even in the O stats.
And, I am not saying he is the best ever, but this year for sure(at least hands down in 2a). He is committed to Baylor but had much better/bigger/known schools wanting him.
Edited by BangsFan, 14 December 2003 - 04:11 PM.
#8
Posted 14 December 2003 - 05:14 PM
#9
Posted 14 December 2003 - 05:30 PM
#10
Posted 14 December 2003 - 05:34 PM
Cedric rushed for over 8300 yards in 3 seasons but Kenneth Hall rushed for over 11000 yards in 4 seasons.Well for some reason, Wes Danaher from Calallen name is not a choice. He only set the Texas record for most yardage in his high school carrier of well over 7000 yards (Appx). Those are all well known names up their, but Wes Danaher gets my vote. He got a scholarship to SMU and got injured, never to be heard from again. Those names you have listed did great things after High school, but Wes was the man during high school. I might be wrong, Cedric Benson I believe broke Wes's record, but the white boy from Calallen still gets my vote.
#11
Posted 14 December 2003 - 05:38 PM
Do you have Wes's numbers? I know at the time he graduated, which was around 96 or so, he broke the record. My point was he didn't even make the list. 11,000 yards is unbelievable.Cedric rushed for over 8300 yards in 3 seasons but Kenneth Hall rushed for over 11000 yards in 4 seasons.Well for some reason, Wes Danaher from Calallen name is not a choice. He only set the Texas record for most yardage in his high school carrier of well over 7000 yards (Appx). Those are all well known names up their, but Wes Danaher gets my vote. He got a scholarship to SMU and got injured, never to be heard from again. Those names you have listed did great things after High school, but Wes was the man during high school. I might be wrong, Cedric Benson I believe broke Wes's record, but the white boy from Calallen still gets my vote.
#12
Posted 14 December 2003 - 05:38 PM
Career Rushing Yards
Hall also owns the career rushing mark, which breaks down to 2,808 yards per season and 234 yards per game, in a 12-game season. Hall's mark also stands as a national mark, with only Brad Hocker (Archie, MO, 1988-91) separating Hall from Danaher in the national records. Just below Danaher in the national books is one Emmitt Smith, with 8,804 yards at Pensacola (Fla.) Escambia from 1983-86.
1. 11,232 Kenneth Hall, Sugar Land, 1950-53
2. 8,855 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen, 1992-95
3. 8,441 Rodney Thomas, Groveton, 1987-90
4. 8,418 Cedric Benson, Midland Lee, 1998-2000
5. 8,411 Robert Strait, Cuero, 1985-88
#13
Posted 14 December 2003 - 05:44 PM
#14
Posted 14 December 2003 - 05:49 PM
Single-Game Rushing Yards
The 400-yard plateau seems to get shattered once of twice per season. Here is our top five:
1. 599 Rudy Rudison, Houston Marian vs. Memorial Hall, 1978
2. 587 Daryl Ellis, Somerville vs. Thrall, 1998
3. 525 Tyson Thompson, Irving vs. Hurst Bell, 1998
4. 520 Kenneth Hall, Sugar Land vs. Lutheran, 1953
5. 517 Cleon Williams, Boling vs. Ganado, 1991
6. 514 Phillip Graves, Hutto vs. Thorndale, 2001
Single-Season Rushing Yards
The single-season leader is the 'Sugar Land Express,' Kenneth Hall, who owns and operates Ken Hall BBQ in Fredericksburg. Midland Lee's Cedric Benson moved into the top five after a sensational junior season for the Rebels.
1. 4,045 Kenneth Hall, Sugar Land (12), 1953
2. 3,701 Rodney Thomas, Groveton (16), 1990
3. 3,569 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen (15), 1995
4. 3,526 Cedric Benson, Midland Lee (15), 1999
5. 3,515 Robert Strait, Cuero (16), 1987
Career Rushing Yards
Hall also owns the career rushing mark, which breaks down to 2,808 yards per season and 234 yards per game, in a 12-game season. Hall's mark also stands as a national mark, with only Brad Hocker (Archie, MO, 1988-91) separating Hall from Danaher in the national records. Just below Danaher in the national books is one Emmitt Smith, with 8,804 yards at Pensacola (Fla.) Escambia from 1983-86.
1. 11,232 Kenneth Hall, Sugar Land, 1950-53
2. 8,855 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen, 1992-95
3. 8,441 Rodney Thomas, Groveton, 1987-90
4. 8,418 Cedric Benson, Midland Lee, 1998-2000
5. 8,411 Robert Strait, Cuero, 1985-88
Rushing Carries - Game
1. 62 Steve Williams, Trinidad vs. Oakwood, A, 1977
2. 60 Chris Nelms, Teague vs. Groesbeck, 3A, 1998
3. 60 Scott Hutchinson, Dumas vs. Levelland, 4A, 1976
4. 56 Jack McCleskey, Dalhart vs. Canyon, 3A, 1959
5. 55 Billy Borten, Channelview vs. Liberty, 4A, 1987
Rushing Carries - Season
1. 475 Ketric Sanford, Corsicana, 4A, 1994
2. 441 Jeff Godley, Arlington Houston, 5A, 1990
3. 441 Billy Sims, Hooks, 3A, 1973
4. 422 Jimmy Shelby, Italy, A, 1983
5. 408 Red Bailey, Tahoka, 3A, 1977
Rushing Carries - Career
1. 1,131 Robert Strait, Cuero, 3A, 1985-88
2. 1,128 Billy Sims, Hooks, 3A, 1972-74
3. 1,058 Ketric Sanford, Corsicana, 4A, 1993-95
4. 1,058 Jimmy Shelby, Italy, A, 1980-83
5. 1,037 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen, 4A, 1992-95
100 Yards or More Rushing Games - Season
1. 16 Fred Smith, Sealy, 3A, 1994
(tie) 16 Rodney Thomas, Groveton, 2A, 1990
3. 15 Chris Robertson, Denison, 4A, 1997
(tie) 15 Robert Strait, Cuero, 3A, 1987
(tie) 15 Billy Sims, Hooks, 3A, 1973
100 Yards or More Rushing Games - Career
1. 43 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen, 4A, 1992-95
2. 41 Robert Strait, Cuero, 3A, 1985-88
3. 39 Brandon Reese, Texas School For The Deaf, 1996-99
4. 38 Kenneth Hall, Sugar Land, A, 1950-53
(tie) 38 Steve Worster, Bridge City, 4A, 1964-66
(tie) 38 Billy Sims, Hooks, 3A, 1972-74
100 Yards or More Consecutive Rushing Games
1. 38 Billy Sims, Hooks, 3A, 1972-74
2. 31 Keith Musick, May, A, 1987-89
3. 28 Steve Worster, Bridge City, 4A, 1965-66
4. 26 Wes Danaher, Calallen, 4A, 1993-94
5. 23 Robert Strait, Cuero, 3A, 1985-88
(tie) 23 DaBryan Blanton, Forney, 2000-01
200 Yards or More Consecutive Rushing Games
1. 10 Wes Danaher, Calallen, 4A, 1995
2. 5 Jamal Smith, Clear Brook, 1998
3. 4 Yamar Washington, Houston St. Pius, 1998
200 Yards or More - Career
1. 20 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen, 4A, 1992-95
200 Yards or More - Season
1. 12 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen, 4A, 1995
300 Yards or More - Season
1. 4 Cedric Benson, Midland Lee, 5A, 1999
2. 3 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen, 4A, 1995
3. 2 Chris Harris, Elysian Fields, 1998
(tie) 2 Cedric Benson, Midland Lee, 5A, 2000
300 Yards or More - Career
1. 6 Cedric Benson, Midland Lee, 5A, 1998-2000
2. 4 Wes Danaher, CC Calallen, 4A, 1992-95
Edited by Gp83, 14 December 2003 - 05:54 PM.
#15
Posted 16 December 2003 - 11:22 AM
#16
Posted 16 December 2003 - 11:58 AM
So does that mean Hall was so great he was able to play in his Freshman year on Varsity?Cedric rushed for over 8300 yards in 3 seasons but Kenneth Hall rushed for over 11000 yards in 4 seasons.Well for some reason, Wes Danaher from Calallen name is not a choice. He only set the Texas record for most yardage in his high school carrier of well over 7000 yards (Appx). Those are all well known names up their, but Wes Danaher gets my vote. He got a scholarship to SMU and got injured, never to be heard from again. Those names you have listed did great things after High school, but Wes was the man during high school. I might be wrong, Cedric Benson I believe broke Wes's record, but the white boy from Calallen still gets my vote.
Do you really think Benson would have gotten 2,814 yards in his freshman season?
#17
Posted 16 December 2003 - 04:50 PM
Gp83,Well for some reason, Wes Danaher from Calallen name is not a choice.
You're right about Danaher. When I researched this I noticed his name was prominent in many of the rushing records. I also asked myself; who's he? Maybe it's my ignorance, but I didn't say that about any of the other names on the list. Also I noticed he was only the 76th highest rated recruit in Texas his senior year, and I don't hear that many publications talking about him, and saying what a great back he was. Also his dad was his coach and he could have been somewhat of a bi-product of the system (I noticed Woody Chambers who was his successor gained 1899 yds. the year after Danaher left). Make no mistake, he would've been listed had I had a few more options, but with so many great ones you're bound to leave someone off. Doak Walker and Curtis Dickey are a couple of others that come to mind. In my opionion though, Kenneth Hall (The Sugarland Express) was the greatest Texas High School running back of all time. By all accounts he ran the forty somewhere in the 4.3-4.4 range and had the prototype running back frame. In addition to the records previously stated he holds the state and national records for average rushing yds. per game in a season (337.1), most total offense per game in a season (428.8), and most points per game in a season (32.9 per game). Earl Campbell would have to be next for me. He started as a defensive end and would have had much higher numbers had he been a running back his entire HS career.
Speaking of this year, Justin McNeese of NS was about as good as I saw. I believe the top returning RB's next yr. (with apologies to the lower classifications) will be:
James Aston-Katy
Jamaal Evans-Irving
Javorskie Lane-Lufkin
Aaron Luna-SL Carroll
Sorry for writing a book!
Edited by LPanther, 16 December 2003 - 05:56 PM.
#18
Posted 16 December 2003 - 05:12 PM
#19
Posted 16 December 2003 - 07:18 PM
No, that wasn't the claim I was making. I was just making it clear that Kenneth Hall did not average over 3000 yards per season. He would have outrushed Danaher and Benson, etc..., anyway but not by NEARLY as wide a margin as those rushing yards might indicate.So does that mean Hall was so great he was able to play in his Freshman year on Varsity?
Cedric rushed for over 8300 yards in 3 seasons but Kenneth Hall rushed for over 11000 yards in 4 seasons.Well for some reason, Wes Danaher from Calallen name is not a choice. He only set the Texas record for most yardage in his high school carrier of well over 7000 yards (Appx). Those are all well known names up their, but Wes Danaher gets my vote. He got a scholarship to SMU and got injured, never to be heard from again. Those names you have listed did great things after High school, but Wes was the man during high school. I might be wrong, Cedric Benson I believe broke Wes's record, but the white boy from Calallen still gets my vote.
Do you really think Benson would have gotten 2,814 yards in his freshman season?
#20
Posted 16 December 2003 - 07:32 PM
Career Rushing Yards
Hall also owns the career rushing mark, which breaks down to 2,808 yards per season and 234 yards per game, in a 12-game season. Hall's mark also stands as a national mark, with only Brad Hocker (Archie, MO, 1988-91) separating Hall from Danaher in the national records. Just below Danaher in the national books is one Emmitt Smith, with 8,804 yards at Pensacola (Fla.) Escambia from 1983-86.
Now, Kenneth Hall had only 12 games in a season to accomplish his feat, but times were much different back then. There were fewer schools, fewer players and segregation, to factor in, as well as differences in rules, etc.... Kenneth Hall deserves all the accolades he has ever received, but things were very different in that day.
I wish that Cedric would have had the opportunity to play on the varsity in his freshman season. But, because freshmen have their own campuses completely on the other side of town, in Midland, they are not afforded that opportunity. Cedric did rush for over 2200 yards, in 12 starts, his sophomore season including 255 yards and 5 TD's in the 5A Division II Texas Bowl. So, I would shy away from predicting anything less than 10000+ yards for his high school career had he been able to play as a freshman.
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