Chambliss surpasses 1,000 rushing yards in senior season
SYLACAUGA, Ala. — Sylacauga senior running back Zakorien Chambliss has eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the 2026 football season, adding another accomplishment to his final year with the Aggies.
Chambliss has rushed for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns on 154 carries this season, averaging seven yards per attempt. He reached the milestone Friday night after rushing for 186 yards and three touchdowns in Sylacauga's 42-40 win over Anniston.
The senior has been the primary ball carrier in head coach Chris Smelley's offense, handling a significant portion of the Aggies' rushing attempts throughout the season.
At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Chambliss has the size to run between the tackles but has also been effective getting to the outside. His ability to find running lanes and pick up additional yards after contact has been evident throughout his senior campaign.
His production has been especially important for a Sylacauga offense that has dealt with injuries at several positions this fall.
Chambliss has averaged nearly 120 rushing yards per game through nine contests, with his 10 touchdowns accounting for 60 points on the season.
The 1,000-yard milestone comes in Smelley's third season leading the Sylacauga program. Chambliss was part of the coach's first group of freshmen when he arrived at the school and has spent his high school career developing within the program.
His performance has also come against a schedule that included region opponents Leeds, Alexandria, Moody and Clay Central, along with non-region matchups against several other Class 4A programs.
Chambliss and the Aggies have one game remaining in the 2026 season. Sylacauga, now 5-4, will travel to Montgomery to face St. James on Friday, with an opportunity to finish the year with a winning record.
The senior will enter that contest with 1,076 rushing yards and an opportunity to add to his totals before closing out his high school football career.
