Bainbridge-Guilford senior running back Dakota Vandermark is drawing a comparison to the school’s all-time leading rusher. It’s pretty heady company for the speedy Bobcats tailback.

“He reminds me of Johnny Stevens,” said B-G fifth-year coach Tim Mattingly. “John was a little bigger, but maybe Dakota is a little bit quicker.”

Stevens set single-season and career rushing records for the school during his three-year career. Stevens’ career numbers may be out of reach, but Vandermark has the single-season record of 1,332 yards within his sights.

Vandermark had his fourth straight 100-yard rushing day last week in a 24-6 victory over Oxford. He capped his strong day with the type of run Mattingly has grown used to. He took the pitch on an end sweep, hit the corner, and sped down the sideline untouched. He received tremendous blocking from his teammates, and once he was in the clear, no one was going to touch him.

“Oxford keyed on him the whole game and wanted to shut him down,” Mattingly said. “He got us some really tough yards. He kept pounding them, and eventually he broke it. Whether it’s an inside trap or a pitch to the outside, (Dakota) is a threat to go all the way every time he touches the ball.”