When is a record not really a record?

The Malden Green Wave football team has been putting up video game numbers this season. With each game, Malden continues to rack up points and yards in what is arguably their most impressive season in school history.

So far this season, Malden has scored 681 points in 11 games for an average of 61.9 points per game. Very impressive by any standard. But how does this season rank in the history of Missouri?

That is where things get sketchy. According to the MSHSAA record books, the most points in a season belongs to 2011 Concordia who finished with 764 points. Malden is just 83 points shy of tying that record with more games to play. But is that the record?

Actually it isn't. Last season, Lamar, which could be an opponent of Malden in the Class 2 semifinals if both teams make it that far, scored an astounding 883 points in 15 games. That easily tops Concordia's 764 in 2011 but it isn't in the state record book.

Lamar also averaged 58.9 points per game last season, also bettering the listed record of 56.4 set by Wellington-Napoleon in 2006. Malden's current 61.9 is better than both those records.

But the issue comes in knowing what is truly the record. It is impossible for MSHSAA to track every stat for every school in every sport. With that MSHSAA has an application process for the schools to send in records. The problem is every school doesn't send in the records, as evidenced by Lamar's point total from last season.

It would be great if Missouri high school athletics was like the NFL and every record was there but that is just too great a task for MSHSAA or anyone to take on.

Still, whether the record for points in a season is 764, or 883, or even some other number that isn't known, the fact that Malden is even in the conversation proves what a terrific season they are having. Maybe when all the ink settles Malden will be at the top the record book, or even better, have their name listed as the 2014 Class 2 state champion.