Nick Singleton focused on Berks rushing mark — and a state championship
Nick Singleton pondered the number for a moment.
“Twenty-four hundred?” he repeated, when told the Berks single-season rushing mark.
“That’s a lot,” the Gov. Mifflin running back said. “It’s possible, but it’s a lot.”
The Mustangs, of course, would need a lengthy playoff run, similar to last season when they reached the PIAA Class 5A semifinals, to give Singleton a good shot at the record.
A return to that level would require at least 15 games. Do the math, and that’s 160 yards per game – roughly a good first half for Singleton.
He went for 157 or better five times during Mifflin’s eight-game, COVID-shortened season a year ago. All but the last of them was a blowout, meaning he got no or few touches in the second half. (He had more than 14 carries just twice, in the season opener against Wilson and in the state semis against Pine Richland.)
Despite the shortened season Singleton still put up PlayStation-like numbers. He averaged 15.8 yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns.
He’s the only player in Berks history to top 1,000 yards in his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, putting himself in close range of the all-time Berks record.
Most could only dream of challenging David Gilmore’s long-standing Berks record of 2,403 yards, but for someone as fast and powerful as Singleton, it’s a possibility.
With a full schedule last season he likely would have run down Iggy Reynoso’s Berks career mark of 4,778 yards, set in 2017.
He’ll take the field Aug. 27 against Central York just 511 yards short of that mark.
It’ll take something even more powerful than the coronavirus to stop that chapter of history from unfolding.
“It would mean a lot,” Singleton said of claiming the all-time title. “All the hard work since I was young to get to that point, it would feel great. I’m close to that, so I’m trying to get that. Most importantly (my goal is to) get to the state championship.”
Since ending his long college recruitment by announcing his decision to attend Penn State, Singleton has been able to focus solely on the Mustangs and his senior season.
It’s shaping up as another great one.
The backfield will be loaded again. Singleton will be surrounded by weapons such as Trey Rock at fullback, Ayden Martin possibly at a wing and Aiden Gallen, a transfer from Berks Catholic, at fullback.
Berks career rushing leaders
| Iggy Reynoso | Hamburg/Wilson | 4,778 | 2014-17 |
| Nate Romig | Daniel Boone | 4,492 | 2002-05 |
| David Gilmore | Central Catholic | 4,288 | 1981-83 |
| Nick Singleton | Gov. Mifflin | 4,267 | 2018-21 |
| Tyler Emge | Fleetwood | 4,097 | 2011-14 |
| Julio Pellegrini | Central Catholic | 3,867 | 1972-74 |
| Brian Roth | Boyertown | 3,861 | 1975-77 |
| Codie Butler | Conrad Weiser | 3,741 | 2006-09 |
| Jason Reinhart | Muhlenberg | 3,703 | 1997-99 |
| DJ Robinson | Conrad Weiser | 3,667 | 2007-10 |
Singleton was an all-league pick at cornerback, as were Rock and Gallen at linebacker. Eden Johnson and Martin return to the defensive backfield.
Singleton could become an even bigger force on defense this season. Mustangs coach Jeff Lang is toying with the idea of moving him around, to take advantage of his size and power.
“He’s a big, thick strong kid,” Lang said. “We could use him at inside linebacker. Or bring him off a weak end for pass rush. We’re looking at multiple things.”
The idea of being a pass-rusher excites Singleton.
“We lost a lot of people (on defense),” he said. “I’ll probably be moving around, to see where I can best help the team. When I was young I was a pass-rusher: Just go get the quarterback.”
Singleton is also excited about his recruiting class at Penn State, which continues to pick up elite players by the day. Recently the Nittany Lions picked up four-star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, the No. 1 player in Maryland. He’s the 23rd commitment for a recruiting class that ranks No. 2 in the nation, behind only Ohio State.
“We’re building this class to be a great class,” Singleton said. “I’m aiming for first (in the nation). It’s been going good.”
About a week after Singleton committed the Nittany Lions added another four-star running back, Kaytron Allen from IMG Academy.
Singleton said he wasn’t bothered by that one bit. He said Penn State running backs coach JuJuan Seiders had been telling him that Allen was in the mix, and that he thought the two would work well together.
“I like competing,” Singleton said. “He’s a good player, too, so it’s good.”
Berks single-season rushing leaders
| David Gilmore | Central Catholic | 2,403 | 1983 |
| Tyler Emge | Fleetwood | 2,000 | 2014 |
| Angel Cruz | Conrad Weiser | 1,885 | 2012 |
| Jason Reinhart | Muhlenberg | 1,883 | 1998 |
| Joey Rys | Central Catholic | 1,835 | 2010 |
| Rodney Gillin | Wilson | 1,829 | 2010 |
| Brian Roth | Boyertown | 1,825 | 1977 |
| Julio Pellegrino | Central Catholic | 1,814 | 1974 |
| Pete Gilmore | Wilson | 1,810 | 1999 |
| Nate Romig | Daniel Boone | 1,805 | 2005 |
| Isaac Ruoss | Gov. Mifflin | 1,789 | 2017 |
| Jeff Niedrowski | Wilson | 1,788 | 1991 |
| Dave Dykie | Boyertown | 1,781 | 1990 |
| Ben Ortiz | Muhlenberg | 1,748 | 2013 |
| Marc Panepinto | Boyertown | 1,705 | 2002 |