Caden Durham, LSU commit, runs for 200 yards in first half of Texas high school football title
In a fitting end to the high school career of Caden Durham and the 2023 high school football season for Duncanville (Texas), the LSU running back commit led the Panthers to their second consecutive state title with another dominant performance on the ground.
Durham ran the ball 22 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers' 49-33 victory over North Shore in the UIL 6A Division 1 state championship Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
The senior racked up more than 200 yards and all three of his touchdowns in the state finals on 10 carries in the first half, helping the Panthers build an 18 point lead over the nationally-ranked Mustangs by halftime.
"We think he's one of the best in the country," Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples said after the game.
This marked the fourth 200-plus rushing yards game of the playoffs for Durham, who also surpassed 2,000 rushing yards on the season in the state championship.
In six playoff games this season, Durham racked up 1,236 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns (20 rushing, three receiving) for the Panthers, who entered the postseason ranked the No. 3 team in Texas and No. 10 team in the country.
Durham rushed for 220 yards and five touchdowns in Duncanville's area round victory against Rockwall-Heath. In the Panthers' regional semifinals win over The Woodlands, he went for 323 yards and one touchdown. Last week in the Panthers' state semifinals victory over North Crowley, Durham rushed for 225 yards and five touchdowns.
The next time Durham takes the field, he will be suited up in purple and gold.
Durham committed to LSU in August, choosing Brian Kelly and the Tigers over his other finalists Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
-- Zach Shugan | zshugan@gmail.com | @SBLiveTX
(Feature photo by Tommy Hays)
