The primary running back for the Columbus Wildcats (2-1 overall) football team hit an early season milestone Friday evening versus Highland.

Senior Mauricio Ramirez rushed for a team-high 124 yards and collected five total touchdowns (3 rushing, 2 receiving) in the Wildcats’ 51-18 victory over the Huskies. Ramirez, KCII’s Hedge Above Lawncare Athlete of the Week on September 2, has recorded 525 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through the first three games of the season. He is one of only three running backs in Class A football to achieve 500 rushing yards this season and trails only Madrid’s Michael Santi (11) in rushing touchdowns.

With six regular season games left in his football career, Ramirez has a chance to hit some significant career rushing marks. He is 752 rushing yards away from 4,000 and five rushing touchdowns away from 40. He is also 475 yards away from rushing for over 1,000 yards for a third straight season, and is three touchdowns from three straight 10-plus rushing touchdown seasons.

Ramirez and the Wildcats return to the gridiron this Friday, hosting their annual homecoming game versus the Wapello Indians(1-2 overall).