He is a long shot of overtaking Amphi legend Mario Bates for the most rushing yards in a season in Tucson, but he is well on his way to reaching the Class 4A state record for career rushing yards.
Salpointe’s Bijan Robinson, who will face Sahuaro’s defense Friday night (7 p.m.) in a Class 4A state semifinal game at Mountain View High School, is making the claim to be Tucson’s best-ever football talent.
Robinson, a junior, missed the opportunity to play against the Cougars in the teams’ first meeting Sept. 28, won by Salpointe 28-12 at home, because of an ankle injury. He had only three carries against Tucson the previous week because of the injury.
Salpointe junior Bijan Robinson, has rushed for more than 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Despite the lost opportunities in those two games to mount his rushing attempts and yards, Robinson has eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark for the second straight year.
He has 2,084 yards on 133 carries with 30 touchdowns. Last year, Robinson rushed for 2,023 yards on 189 carries with 26 touchdowns. He had 378 yards as a freshman.
With one more season to go, his career total is 4,485 yards on 364 carries with 60 touchdowns.
The 4A state record is 5,878 yards set by Tolleson’s Marcus Thomas from 2000 to 2002. If he remains healthy, Robinson is well on pace to pass that record.
Bates has the most rushing yards for a running back in Tucson with 2,740 yards with Amphi in 1990.
Robinson is 656 yards shy of that mark with potentially two games remaining. Seems too far out of reach but Robinson has the ability to break a 300-yard rushing game at any time.
If he did not get hurt this season, the record would be more realistic of achieving.
CAREER RUSHING YARDS RECORD
Source: Arizona Interscholastic Association
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