One of the best running backs in the state for the past four years, Anthony Landrum finished his career at Sweet Water High School on a chilly night in Birmingham last Thursday at the Super 6 in familiar fashion &8212; running head-down, hard football &8212; as his team recorded its third state championship in four years against Talladega County Central 42-7.

Landrum entered the game on the heels of being named a 1A running back finalist for the second year in a row for the Alabama Sports Writers Association&8217;s Mr. Football Award. In the state championship game, Landrum showed why he has twice been considered for the award by rushing for 212 yards on 31 carries and recording three touchdowns. His performance also earned him a third Most Valuable Player title at the Super 6 &8212; one for every appearance.

Landrum found the endzone for the first time with 4:45 left before halftime, with a 17 yard run to the left side of the Bulldog line. He made his other two trips to the endzone in the third quarter, both head down, feet churning, 1-yard runs.

In the game, Landrum was six carries shy of tying the 1A record of 37 set by Lynn&8217;s Lee Cagle in 1996, and he was one touchdown short of tying his own record for rushing touchdowns set last year in the Bulldog&8217;s shutout of Hubbard.

Landrum finished Sweet Water&8217;s 14-game season with 261 carries for 2,104 yards and 39 touchdowns.

&8212; Brandon Glover