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| Whaley, a senior, has 4,324 career yards after rushing for 289 in Salem's first two games. (The Virginian-Pilot file photo) |
By Jami Frankenberry
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH
Kevin Whaley is poised to break a prestigious record, but becoming South Hampton Roads career rushing leader is drawing a collective shrug.
From Whaley, his coach and tonight's Beach District opponent, Cox.
The second-ranked Sun Devils (2-0) visit the Falcons, and Whaley needs 177 yards to pass ex-Princess Anne star Mike Majette on the all-time list.
Whaley, a senior, has 4,324 career yards after rushing for 289 in Salem's first two games. He also has five touchdowns this season and needs 13 points to break South Hampton Roads' career scoring record.
While coach Robert Jackson likens breaking the rushing record to New Year's Day - "you know it's coming" - Whaley is thinking about other numbers - 3-0.
"It's still there," Whaley said of the record, emphasizing that his main concern is his team improving each week.
Whaley has rushed for 100-plus yards in two of his three games against Cox, including 124 last season. Jackson calls 177 "a lot of yards to get on anybody," although Whaley has rushed for that many or more eight times.
Cox (1-1) hasn't defeated the Sun Devils since Whaley's freshman season, so an upset tonight is more important than putting off a broken record.
"We don't want him to get too many yards, but we don't want to get out of our game just to stop him," cornerback Chandler Fenner said.
Linebacker Jeff Roenker added: "Our No. 1 goal is to beat them."
Cox's new-look passing offense has resulted in 31 completions for QB Troy Ruediger, but the Falcons have scored just 14 points in two games.
Salem, meanwhile, has rolled up more than 700 total yards.
Tonight, the game plan won't change to get Whaley closer to the record.
"We're not doing anything special like trying to run him 100 times," Jackson said. "He'll get his usual amount of carries."
Jami Frankenberry, (757) 446-2295, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com
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