He did the same thing Saturday. He did the same thing Sunday.

He earned the break.

Hunter rushed 40 times for 253 yards and a touchdown in the Thoroughbreds' 26-13 win against Midland Valley in the season opener.

Hunter wasn't only the Thoroughbreds workhorse. He was their mule as well.

"It was a lot of carries," said Hunter, The Augusta Chronicle Player of the Week. "But coach (Dan Pippin) told me before the game that I was going to get a lot of carries. It was up to the offense and the offensive line to do the job. But I can't take all the credit."

South Aiken running back Rashad Hunter has big goals for himself - and bigger goals for the Thoroughbreds in 2002. JONATHAN ERNST/STAFF

On cue, left tackle Sekeli Anderson walked up behind Hunter after Monday's practice and announced the offensive line should "get a shout-out."

Pippin was happy to provide it.

"The line did a really good job of blocking," said Pippin, whose squad travels to Airport tonight for a 7:30 game. "We're a one-back offense, so Rashad is going to get a lot of carries. (On Friday), he made a lot of things happen."

As long as South Aiken is winning, Hunter is happy. He claims he doesn't care how many yards he gains - although he would like to break the 300-yard mark in a game. His primary goal, Hunter said, is to help the Thoroughbreds to the postseason.

"The playoffs," he said. "I don't have any individual goals. Stats, to me, are not an important part of the game. I just want to make the playoffs."

Player of the week

Name: Rashad Hunter

School: South Aiken

Position: Running back

Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 200

Last week: Rushed 40 times for 253 yards and a touchdown in South Aiken's season-opening win against Midland Valley

Reach Josh Katzowitz at (706) 823-3216 or josh.katzowitz@augustachronicle.com.