aAfter carrying the ball only 13 times in his first three games, Kendarius Fritts reminded the fans in Linden why he was the ASWA Class 1A Back of the Year a season ago. He had 11 carries for 265 yards and an eye-popping seven touchdowns in the first half Friday night. He also added a two-point conversion run.
To put that performance in perspective, Fritts had 43 total points. That is good enough to tie him for eighth all time on the AHSAA’s list of points scored in a game. He also tied with 13 others who have scored seven touchdowns in a single game. That mark is one off the state record of eight, a feat accomplished by five others.
But exactly what does that performance mean on a local level? From a season-long perspective, very little. But on a Friday night in which no fewer than four other Marengo County players turned in Player of the Week caliber games, Fritts’ two quarters of play was the most remarkable.
He out gained the A.L. Johnson offense by 282 yards despite not playing the final two quarters of the game. Of his 265 yards, 203 of them came on touchdown runs. He averaged 24 yards per carry and 11 yards per minute. He scored at an average of once per every 1.5 carries. Fritts rushed for more than 100 yards on just two carries.
His seven touchdowns Friday night are four more than A.L. Johnson has scored all year. He alone outscored every other high school team playing in Marengo County Friday night by 12 points.
In the end, it was still one game and one win. But Kendarius Fritts’ Friday night feats are enough to put him in elite company statewide and cements his Linden legacy just a little more.