This weekend, ESPN.com featured a link on its front page with the exploits of high school running back and Oregon recruit Thomas Tyner, who set the Oregon state record for rushing yards in a single game by going for - get this - 644 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Talk about a Madden-like total.

Some weeks, at the pace on which he is currently this fall, it's hard not to wonder around our area if South's Kareem Hunt could challenge the Ohio state record - 532 yards by Williamsburg's Jason Bainum in 2001.

While 644 yards by Tyner is impressive, and if Hunt were able to make another charge at 500 yards, it would be talked about for years around here, everyone has a long way to go to catch the top performances nationally.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, including Tyner, there have now been six games around the United States all-time with a running back recording more than 600 yards.

No. 1 will be tough to track down.

In a 1950 game in New Jersey, a running back named John Giannantonio apparently ran for - hopefully you're sitting down - 754 yards. If you have a moment, check out this NFHS feature story on Giannantonio - it's a great read about his record-setting exploits.

So while we rightfully marvel at our area's premier running backs through the years when they break 200-, 300- and even now 400-yard games, amazingly there's a long way to go to even break into the national conversation.

- Chris Lillstrung | @CLillstrungNH