Dyer Breaks State Career Rushing Mark

There were plenty of reasons to celebrate at Warrior Field Friday night. Little Rock Christian beat Hot Springs Lakeside 47-14 for a big conference homecoming win, and senior running back Michael Dyer broke the Arkansas prep career rushing record.

Dyer needed 24 yards to break Elaine’s Vernon Hicks’s mark of 7,122 yards. Dyer broke the record on a 22-yard touchdown on the Warriors’ first drive. There was a pause in the action while Dyer was recognized and his uncle, Andre, received the game ball.

“It was special,” Dyer said. “It was a good night. We won, it was homecoming, and I broke the record. We celebrated it, embraced it and (Saturday) we’ll move on. It was a big relief.”

Dyer, who appeared on the first two covers of the VYPE Arkansas Football Preview magazines, now has 7,266 yards with a game at Magnolia next week and a home game against Pulaski Academy, which ESPNU will televise, in the regular-season finale.

The 5-foot9, 205-pounder could crack the national all-time Top 40 list by season’s end. He now stands at No. 46 all-time.

Before the season Dyer’s status among great running backs like Pine Bluff’s Basil Shabazz and Pulaski Oak Grove’s Darren McFadden was debated. Breaking the rushing record may have swayed some.

“I’m honored to be mentioned with guys like that,” Dyer said. “I’ve looked up to McFadden, and now that I’ve broken the record maybe someday somebody will look up to me.”