By Collin Brooks

Correspondent

As the curtains slowly close on Dave Rider Field, it’s possible that the spotlight has never been any brighter, thanks in part to Elizabethton senior running back Ethan Thomas.

It was on the aging field, which Thomas has trampled since seventh grade, that he became the Northeast Tennessee all-time leading rusher, surpassing Dalton Boles of West Greene with 5,597 career yards against Happy Valley on Friday night.

“It still hasn’t set in all the way yet,” said Thomas, sitting in the empty stands where less than 48 hours before history was made. “It is still kind of sitting with me a little bit, but it is a great feeling to have.”