State RBs in line for 6,000 yards
Arkansas high school football has been graced by some elite rushers.
From the all-time leader, Little Rock Christian’s Michael Dyer (8,097) to Elaine’s Vernon Hicks (7,122) and Osceola’s Jonathan Adams (6,714). From Glen Rose’s current head coach and all-time leading rusher Steven Kehner (6,387) to Carlisle’s Jason Sullivan (6,122) last season, 13 running backs in the state have reached the 6,000-yard mark in their careers.
In the next couple of weeks, there will likely be two additions to that group: East Poinsett County’s Dennis Gaines and Malvern’s Jalen Dupree.
Gaines is a three-year varsity starter with four years of varsity playing time. Last season, he set the state record for singleseason rushing yards with 3,232. He also finished with the second-most rushing touchdowns in a season with 44.
This season, Gaines has rushed for 817 yards, giving him 5,923 for his career. East Poinsett County will play Marianna on Friday, with Gaines needing 77 yards to reach 6,000.
Dupree wasn’t far behind Gaines last season rushing, totaling 2,827 yards and 38 touchdowns as he led Malvern to the Class 4A state championship. For his career, Dupree has rushed for 5,906 yards and 78 touchdowns.
This season, Dupree has rushed for 1,472 yards and 22 touchdowns and is on a higher pace than last season with 10 yards per carry and 210.3 yards per game. Dupree is also 19 touchdowns away from matching Pocahontas’ Connor Baker for the state career rushing touchdown record, set last season.
“It’s special,” Malvern Coach J.D. Plumlee said. “Jalen Dupree, he’s definitely stamping his legacy in not just Malvern football history but in Arkansas football history, and it’s pretty neat to be along for the ride. I’m just humbled and blessed to be able to coach him.
“I tell Jalen all the time, I could walk away and stand down there and be a fan and watch him run, and he’d be just fine because he’s a student of the game, he’s a coach on the field. And it’s just a testament to how hard he works and the focus he has. He just loves the game.”
Malvern has two regular season games remaining, playing Nashville on Oct. 27 and Arkadelphia on Nov. 3, with Dupree needing 94 yards needed to reach 6,000. The Leopards (5-2, 3-0 4A-7) have clinched a playoff spot and will look to repeat as 4A champions.
“If we’re going to keep winning games, he’ll keep climbing that leaderboard,” Plumlee said. “He knows that and everybody knows that. He’s our guy.
“The longer the season goes and the weather gets cooler, he kind of gets better. And that’s kind of scary from some of the numbers he’s put up.