Michael Head of St. Aloysius powers through a Mount Olive defender during the Flashes’ blowout win on Sept. 14. Head rushed for 205 yards in St. Al’s victory on Friday. (The Vicksburg Post/Melanie duncan)

[09/24/02]Taken individually, the efforts of St. Aloysius running back Michael Head and Porters Chapel Academy running back Wesley Purvis on Friday night would have been remarkable enough.

When taken together, however, it was astounding.

The two backs had more than 600 total yards between them and accounted for 11 touchdowns, all despite playing only three quarters each.

Head ran for 218 yards and five touchdowns against Stringer with 205 of his yards and all of his touchdowns coming in the first half while Purvis “only” ran for 195 yards on 10 carries against Greenville Christian. He had five rushing touchdowns and 182 yards on punt and kickoff returns, including a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown. Another punt return for a touchdown was wiped out by a penalty.

“I don’t know anything about (PCA’s) kids, but to gain that many yards, they’re doing something right,” St. Al coach Jim Taylor said.

Purvis scored three touchdowns in the first quarter on runs of 20, 20, and 6 yards as PCA raced out to a 20-0 lead. He added a 51-yarder in the second quarter and put a cap on the game with a 36-yard TD run in the third as PCA cruised to a 55-14 win.

“They were blocking real well. That was one of the things we did,” said Purvis, who transferred from Chamberlain-Hunt this summer.

He also showed his versatility and explosiveness in the the third quarter with the punt return. It was the second time this season he’s returned a punt for a touchdown, and he has also had several touchdowns called back because of penalties.

“That’s my favorite thing to do,” Purvis said of returning kicks. “Just get out there one-on-one. I like returning kicks, I always have.”

After his outburst Friday night, Purvis has 604 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns this season. Seven of his touchdowns have come on the ground, but he also has the two TDs on punt returns and a receiving touchdown.

“I just think he’s a great all-around threat. You can throw it, run it, return it with him,” PCA coach Bubba Mims said. “I’ve had harder runners, but none so well-balanced. All the things it takes to be a great running back, he’s got them all.”

St. Al’s dominating rushing game hasn’t allowed Head to show his receiving skills this season the Flashes have attempted only three passes in their first four games but he showed his explosiveness against Stringer.

Head took a sweep off the right side, cut through a crease and broke a 64-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game. He added three more scores, from 13, 29, and 19 yards, and had 180 yards on only eight carries before the end of the first quarter.

“He has outstanding cutting ability, and he sees the field well. He’s getting better and better for us,” Taylor said. “I expected big things out of him all year.”

Head added a 20-yard TD run late in the second quarter and had 205 yards at halftime as the Flashes built a 49-0 lead. He had only three carries on St. Al’s only offensive series in the third quarter before being pulled, and finished with 218 rushing yards along with a 27-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

“I had holes about a mile wide,” Head said. “This is the best I’ve ever seen our offensive line and our team play.”

Head almost didn’t see it, however. He was hobbled last week with a stomach virus that made it difficult for him to keep food down and kept him out of practice for several days.

“I was just feeling bad, and Coach let me take the day off. That gave me enough time to recuperate,” Head said. “I was feeling weak the whole time (during the game).”

He didn’t play on defense during the game, and said he was still feeling a little ill on Monday. Taylor joked that that was fine with him.

“Maybe I need to give him the virus again,” Taylor said with a laugh.

Head now has 433 yards and seven touchdowns in four games, tops on the team despite rarely playing in the second half of any game. Greg Smith isn’t far behind with 421 yards and six TDs, and Taylor said the multiple threats are serving the Flashes well.

“If you don’t have but one threat, then you have no threat,” Taylor said, adding with a laugh, “What we need now is to develop our passing game.”