El Reno tailback Malachi Nicholson wants to play football at the next level

Nicholson coming off record-setting performance of 521 yards and 8 TDs

El Reno senior tailback Malachi Nicholson is a star flying under the radar and has had many tremendous games. 

In his most recent game against Noble, the Indians found themselves in a shootout and made many plays to stay in the game. El Reno won, 68-67, and the Indians needed every play made by Nicholson. He scored eight touchdowns and rushed for 521 yards on 37 carries.

“It was a crazy game and I did not expect it,” Nicholson said. “It was fun and it is a blessing to be part of this football team. It is nice to be able to be counted on and it's fun playing for El Reno.”

With his 521 yards rushing, Nicholson broke the previous single-game 11-man record, set by Sand Springs' Peyton Scott in 2017, as Scott rushed for 507 yards. They are the only two running backs in state 11-man history to rush for at least 500 yards in a single game.

El Reno (2-3) trailed 54-36 midway through the third quarter before Nicholson scored three unanswered TDs to put the Indians in front.

Noble regained the lead early in the fourth quarter, 61-60, before Nicholson reeled off a 56-yard TD run, followed by a two-point conversion to make it 68-61, El Reno. Noble got a TD with less than a minute left and went for two, but the Indians made the stop to preserve the win.

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Nicholson is the Indians' team captain and is their leader. Head coach Russell Cook remarked the entire team and town believes in Nicholson on and off the field.

“He is a great kid and is deserving of this game,” Cook said. “He works so hard and runs the ball well.

"Noble could not stop him and put his team on our back to get the win. Off the field, he always does the right thing and is a friend to everyone he comes into contact with.”

Nicholson also plays linebacker, but Cook said he did not play much on defense against Noble to be ready when the offense needed him. But Nicholson made two big sacks towards the end of the third quarter.

“I knew we had to get some stops,” Nicholson said. “I pursued the football and used my athletic abilities to get to the quarterback.”

He rushed for 1,300 yards during his junior year. Against Elgin earlier this season, Nicholson rushed for more than 200 yards in the first half, but sat out the remainder of the game for medical reasons as a precautionary measure.

“He is a workhorse,” Cook said. “Our quarterback, Riley Fisher, and freshman Caleb Blackwolf make plays for us, too.

"The future definitely looks bright for El Reno football, and Malachi is a big part of this.”

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Nicholson is a three-sport athlete, as he also is a powerlifter and runs track and field. He takes care of business in the classroom as he maintains a 3.8 grade point average.

He currently has no college offers, but has competed in some combines at Northeastern State in Tahlequah and Emporia State, located in Kansas. Nicholson wants to take his talents to the collegiate level.

“I just have to keep working hard in practice,” he said. “I have to go 110 percent in the classroom and on the field. I keep putting my name out there for sure and just have to keep working hard.”

Photo of El Reno tailback Malachi Nicholson by Glen Miller, El Reno Tribune

-- Josh Jennings | @SBLiveOK