Union Local’s Brody Perzanowski Soars To All-Time OVAC Rushing Mark

MORRISTOWN - Union Local's Brody Perzanowski will never forget Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.

The Jets' senior running back not only surpassed Weir's Quincy Wilson for the all-time Ohio Valley Athletic Conference rushing yardage lead at 6,165 yards, but he also set a new school single-game record with 316 yards against Buckeye Local.

To top it off, he selected the odd-colored flower at halftime to be the Homecoming King while his twin sister, Emily, was Homecoming Queen.

"It means a lot. I've put in a lot of hard work during my career and I think it's awesome to see my name atop the list," Perzanowski said. "Being higher up than Quincy Wilson really says a lot."

Perzanowski has now rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons, while Wilson set the old mark, basically, in two-plus seasons as he ran for 3,262 during his senior season of 1998 for the Red Riders and nearly 2,400 yards his junior year.

"It's amazing because he's such a hard worker," Wilson, who finished with 6,161 yards, said Friday night while attending the Barnesville-Martins Ferry game. "He plays football and he wrestles. In football he's had longevity. I only got to play my junior and senior years. I'm happy and excited for him. Hopefully, his record lasts as long as mine did."

"I felt like there was a lot of pressure on me to break the record, but coming into the season no one had heard of the record besides me and my dad, but once it got out I could feel the pressure building," Perzanowski added.

Union Local head coach Bernie Thompson couldn't be happier for Perzanowski.

"I've been around Brody for many years now. I treat him like my own son. I love him dearly," Thompson said. "First and foremost, he's a great young man. He's a great teammate. He's a kid who works extremely hard and who cares deeply. He's worked very hard the past four years to get where he's at today. It's really cool that he leaves Union Local as, not only the all-time leading rusher here, but the all-time leading rusher in OVAC history.

"It (the record) means many things to our program," Thompson continued. "It means that Brody is surrounded by kids who care. He's surrounded by coaches who care. He's surrounded by guys who uplift him. That resonates, not only for our high school program but our junior high program, as well. Brody is a very likable guy who is well-known, not just in the school, but the entire community. It couldn't happen to a better kid because I see all the work and effort that he puts into his craft. He shows up and lifts before school. He stays late to make sure he's getting in some extra work and he does all the things that you want out of a young man."

Perzanowski admitted he never thought of, or even knew, about Wilson's record until his father, Barney, told him about it during wrestling season his junior year.

"My dad keeps all my stats. He has everything on his computer," the younger Perzanowski said. "He told me about the record probably back in the wrestling season of my junior year."

Had he ever heard of Wilson, as he wasn't born when the record was set? "My dad used to talk about him all the time. We've talked about the record, but before this year, I hadn't heard much about him."

When asked about his records, Perzanowski said none of them are his top memory.

"I think rushing for more than 1,000 yards in all four seasons is pretty neat," he noted.

Perzanowski said the records wouldn’t come without the play of his offensive line.

"I can’t take all the credit because none of this would be possible without my offensive line. I'm a hard, physical runner," he said. "My line works very well together. Everybody has their off days and against (Martins) Ferry I think it showed. I had an off day. I thought my line blocked well, but Ferry was well prepared. The line has worked really hard over the winter in the weight room. They want to win. That's the most you can ask from anyone. Work hard and have the will to win."

To look at Perzanowski you wouldn't think he has the speed to break the long runs, but he has continually surprised people.

"I think I lack speed, but if I get around the corner nobody is going to catch me," he said. "I've always been kind of fast, not the fastest kid, but, thanks to my genetics I've always been around some fast runners. My cousins Natalie, Jamie and Kelly Perzanowski were pretty good runners in cross country and track."

Despite his success on the gridiron, the 5-10, 190-pounder isn't receiving any college looks.

"No, none at all. I would like to play football in college, but if I don't get any looks from colleges, I'd like to wrestle. However, football is my No. 1 sport," he stressed. "Going to a small school like Union Local, I don't expect a lot but breaking the records that I have broken, I'm not a small running back but it does stink that no schools are looking at me. That fuels my determination. I feel that I can help a team somewhere."

Perzanowski is also a three-time Ohio Division III state qualifier and state placer on the mat, placing fourth at 190 last winter after taking sixth at 175 and 157, respectively, as a sophomore and freshman.

"Wrestling definitely helps football 100%," he admitted. "You have to be tough to wrestle and that pretty much helps you in any other sport. If you pick a sport, someone can pick something out that wrestling can help you with."

His favorite running back?

"Le Veon Bell. I'm a big Steelers fan and he was their running back when I was growing up," he said. "Once I was able to comprehend what was going on in football, I learned my running patience from watching him run. Another one is Christian McCaffery."

He is also thankful of his coaches.

"I look up to each and every one of my coaches here," he said. "I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am without them. They are always there to push you. At Union Local nobody is better than anyone else. We all have the same standards."

And Perzanowski is all about standards.