Historic Season Ends for Knox’s Myles McLaughlin in Playoff Loss

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WNDU) – Knox senior quarterback Myles McLaughlin‘s remarkable football season came to a halt Friday night as the Redskins fell to Bishop Luers 35-0 in the semi-state championship. This loss not only ended Knox’s playoff run but also negated McLaughlin’s quest to become the nation’s all-time leading rusher.

Despite the disappointing finale, McLaughlin’s season was historic. He set national records for rushing yards and touchdowns, finishing his career as the second all-time leading rusher in high school football, trailing only NFL star Derrick Henry.

“It was a great season; I’ll look at that the rest of my life and be super grateful for it,” McLaughlin said. “It just sucks we went out this way.” He credited the close-knit bonds formed during his years at Knox, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie with his teammates.

McLaughlin expressed how special high school football has been for him, stating, “Just the brotherhood, man… I’ve played with these kids since I was really little, probably elementary school, and I’m just really going to miss these guys for sure.”

Before the semi-state clash, Knox enjoyed an undefeated run, backed by a disciplined defense that held strong throughout the season. They had advanced with a 28-21 victory against Angola in the regional final on Nov. 14.

However, in the match against Bishop Luers, McLaughlin struggled, managing only 78 rushing yards. He finished the season with a total of 372 yards and four touchdowns in the regional championship game alone. His pursuit of the national rushing record fell short by 364 yards.

Knox ends the season with a strong 13-1 record, a historical achievement for the program as they have never reached the semi-state finals before. The community rallied behind the team, with local decorations celebrating their season and record-breaking accomplishments.

McLaughlin, who holds Division 1 offers from several universities, mentioned he will announce his college commitment soon, signaling the next phase of his football journey ahead.