Notre Dame legend's son breaks Derrick Henry's Florida HS touchdown record

Notre Dame legend's son breaks Derrick Henry's Florida HS touchdown record originally appeared on The Sporting News

Xander Edwards delivered a night that stamped his name into Florida high school football history. The Bolles (Jacksonville) running back rushed for 517 yards and eight touchdowns on 38 carries, powering the Bulldogs to a 73-49 victory at Baldwin and shattering a single-game record once held by Derrick Henry.

Edwards’ performance eclipsed the six-touchdown mark set by the now Baltimore Ravens star during his decorated career at Yulee in 2012. No player in the state’s 11-man football history had previously recorded eight rushing scores in one game. Edwards crossed the goal line from all distances—44, 22, 32, 41, 77, 59, 35 and 1 yard—combining explosive breakaways with tough short-yardage finishes.

Edwards wasted little time setting the tone. He hit the 100-yard mark before seven minutes had elapsed, scoring twice in the opening quarter. By halftime, he had surpassed 220 rushing yards. Edwards’ third-quarter outburst included touchdowns of 50 and 75 yards, giving Bolles breathing room in a track-meet style contest. His sixth score, a 75-yard sprint up the middle, matched Henry’s record before two late touchdowns secured the new standard.

Edwards was credited with 39 carries for 522 yards, which would also top Henry’s Northeast Florida single-game rushing record of 502, set against Jackson in 2012. Only Baker’s Kayleb Wagner, who ran for 535 yards in 2021.

The son of former Notre Dame and NFL fullback Marc Edwards, who won Super Bowl XXXVI with New England, has gotten some more national attention. He led the region in rushing through five weeks and previously logged 558 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman. Edwards has early interest from Memphis, Pitt, SMU, Syracuse and South Florida. He'll likely pick up a few more offers after Friday night. 

Edwards etched his own legacy and has two more years to secure his future in Duval. 

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