NEW MADRID -- It was a fitting way for New Madrid County Central senior G'Darius Stevenson to go out.
A do-it-all player for the Eagles, Stevenson ended his high school career in record-breaking fashion in NMCC's 63-40 win over the Kennett Indians on Thursday night at New Madrid.
Stevenson, who ran for 347 yards on 22 carries, scored 50 of NMCC's 63 total points in just two-and-a-half quarters of play. According to the latest edition of MSHSAA's Records & Yearbook publication, that feat is the third best outing in Missouri history.
He also tied a state record of eight total touchdowns as well.
Stevenson led the Eagles to a 50-12 lead at halftime in what would end up being his last game in an Eagles jersey and NMCC's last game of the year.
"It's just an outstanding career all-around," NMCC head coach Arlen Pixley said about Stevenson. "He's had a lot of support over the last few years and this year going in, we knew things were going to be rough and he took that with a grain of salt and was a trooper for us every week."
Although Stevenson shined most weeks, the efforts by the Eagles did not result in many wins this season. NMCC finished the year 2-7 after a 9-4 season last year which ended in the state quarterfinals.
And even though his gaudy stats speak for his playing abilities, Pixley was impressed with the way Stevenson stuck with the Eagles in his last season, despite their win-loss record.
"There were opportunities for him in every ball game to be frustrated with the success that he's had in the past," Pixley said. "And I know deep down inside it burnt him a little bit. Physically and mentally he stepped in there and got into practice and was a great leader for us."
Pixley, who inherited a lineup filled with young players and key losses to graduation, thought his first losing season since 2004 was a learning process for the players he has returning for next season.
"We explained this season to them as being an excited disappointment," Pixley said. "We had a chance to get back within a score of a good team like Farmington, we had chances in our district of beating Fredericktown and Dexter. It was a matter of a few plays here and a few plays there of being in some of the ball games we lost.
"Our kids will hopefully take something from that this off-season and work hard in the weight room and try to carry that into next season."