Hester surpasses 5,000 career yards rushing (See Photos)

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Amid one of the longest losing streaks for Arnold stood Jeremy Hester on Friday.

The senior running back took his pads off after his final home game, as teammates waited to congratulate him on a stellar career. He amassed only 69 yards on 18 carries in his team’s 28-18 loss to Pensacola Washington, but the 67th was most important on the cold Mike Gavlak Sports Complex field. It gave him 5,000 rushing yards for his career, marking the first time any Bay County running back has achieved the measure.

“This feels good and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates or the grace of God,” Hester said. “No one has ever done this before.

“I wanted to set the bar high for others to have to pass. But it’s disappointing we couldn’t win.”

Arnold fell to 4-5 overall and 2-5 in District 1-3A, losing for the fifth straight time after starting 4-0. Washington improved to 3-7, 3-4 behind quarterback Joseph Franzone’s 135 yards rushing and a touchdown pass.

Hester’s only score of the game, from 4 yards on the first play of the second quarter, drew Arnold within 7-6 after Franzone started the scoring with a 4-yard TD pass. It was the closest Arnold would get.

It moved within two points on Jahad Ibrahim’s touchdown reception from Ashton Lewis, who was 7 of 13 for 92 yards, and within 21-18 on a 38-yard fumble return by Dylan Petro, with both tallies in the third quarter.

Patrick Hall added 100 yards rushing and three touchdowns, including Washington’s final two scores. The first came in the third quarter, a series after Arnold had closed within 14-12. The second capped the scoring in the fourth quarter.

Hester had only six carries in the second half, as Arnold’s offense struggled. He said not only the outcome, but the way the season turned was disheartening, but he said he’s enjoyed his time in a Marlins’ uniform.

He also received a surprise when he was informed before the game that 14 members of his family from the New Orleans area came to see him play in his last home game. Hester, who came to Bay County in 2005 with his parents as Hurricane Katrina evacuees and stayed on to live with his sister, said playing at Arnold made him grow up.

“I came here and it and changed my life,” Hester said. “Meeting new people and seeing different perspectives made me who I am today and it was for the best.”

Hester and Arnold have one more game left this season, a matchup against Mosley next week at Tommy Oliver Stadium. He will undoubtedly add to his record rushing total against the Dolphins.

“Whoever comes close to that record will have to work hard like I did,” Hester said.

• Washington 7 7 7 7 – 28
• Arnold       0 6 12 0 – 18
• First quarter
• WHS – Adams 4 pass from Franzone (Reed kick), 7-0 WHS, 1:57
• Second quarter
• AHS – Hester 4 run (kick failed), 7-6, 11:51
• WHS – Hall 7 run (Reed kick), 14-6, 8:26
• Third quarter
• AHS – Ibrahim 11 pass from Lewis (run failed), 14-12, 10:24
• WHS – Hall 3 run (Reed kick), 21-12, 7:56
• AHS – Petro 38 fumble return (pass failed), 21-18, 1:04
• Fourth quarter
• WHS – Hall 1 run (Reed kick), 28-18, 9:23