Last Friday, Buchholz’s Myles Graham rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries (22.7 yards per carry), including a career-long 97-yard TD run, as the Bobcats (4-0, 1-0) defeated visiting Creekside (St. Johns), 49-20, in the 4S-District 3 opener.
The University of Florida commit, who also had scoring runs of 25 and 67 yards, has been recognized as the Pavlik Orthodontics Athlete of the Week for the week of Sept. 11.
“This is my best offensive game so far,” Graham said. “Ninety-seven yards, that’s my longest run I’ve ever had in my career.”
With starting running back Quinton Cutler still recovering from an injury, the 4-star linebacker according to 247Sports was called into action on the offensive side of the ball.
“I didn’t expect to play offense, but he got hurt, so I had to step up,” Graham said. “I had to fill in. Those were some big shoes to fill.”
After Creekside closed the gap to eight at the half, 28-20, Graham helped cap an 80-yard drive on the Bobcats’ first possession of the second half for a 35-20 lead.
“Myles probably played at least half our snaps on defense,” said Buchholz coach Chuck Bell. “We knew without Quinton going that we needed a little help at running back. Obviously, we’re a pass-heavy team so if there is no threat of the run, that closes some things down in the passing game…so Myles did a lot for us.”
Buchholz will host Vanguard (Ocala) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The game will be broadcast on 106.9 FM “I am Country” and online (audio only) at IamCountryRadio.com beginning at 7 p.m.
Graham’s selection marks the fourth athlete that has been recognized for the award.
Last week’s winner was Alvon Isaac of Hawthorne. The USF commit scored four TDs, including an 80-yard kickoff for a score, as Hawthorne defeated Class 3M Terry Parker (Jacksonville), 46-6.
Newberry volleyball player Hailey Tharp was named the inaugural Pavlik Orthodontics Athlete of the Week after averaging a double-double in five matches the week of Aug. 21.
Coaches can email their nominations each week, along with stats, no later than Sunday night to mike.ridaught@mainstreetdailynews.com.