EDMOND — Around this time last year, Edmond Santa Fe running back Demarius Robinson was at home recovering and nursing a sports hernia.

The injury came during a 105-yard performance in a close loss to Norman. Days after feeling sore and believing he'd be able to suit up again before the season's end, he received the bad news. The Wolves' training staff was shutting him down for the remainder of the season.

Robinson was devastated.

"Last year was tough, I'm not going to lie," Robinson said, "but a night like this shows me that all the work I put in during the offseason to get back is paying off."

Fast forward a year later, and he's back — and playing the best football of his young career.

Robinson had a career night in fourth-ranked Edmond Santa Fe’s 54-7 win over Class 6A-I rival Edmond Memorial on Friday night. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound junior put on a show against the 10th-ranked Bulldogs, rushing the ball 20 times for 349 yards and six touchdowns as the Wolves improved to 2-1 on the season.

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Edmond Santa Fe won just one game a year ago. The Wolves' struggles a year ago can largely be chalked up as being due to Robinson's absence for most of the season.

"Demarius is the heartbeat of our team and has been ever since his freshman year," Edmond Santa Fe coach Kyle White said. "He's always had a huge impact on us by the way he plays and how he carries himself as a leader. Just to have his presence back on the field with us is a blessing."

Robinson kicked off the Edlam rivalry game Friday night with two quick goal-line touchdowns following back-to-back forced turnovers by the Wolves' defense while the Bulldogs were on their own 20-yard line. On the ensuing possession, he found the end zone once more on a 23-yard run to extend the Wolves' first-half lead.

By the end of the first half, Robinson claimed responsibility for all 26 of Edmond Santa Fe's points while rushing for 174 yards and four touchdowns.

However, his night was nowhere near finished.

Robinson burst out the gate with a 74-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second half to put the Wolves up 33. On the immediate Edmond Santa Fe drive, Robinson got loose again for a 75-yard touchdown run that extended their lead to 40. Both electric touchdown runs slammed the door on any potential second-half comeback for Edmond Memorial.

"I know my guys are going to come ready to do their job each week. We're going to ball out regardless, honestly," Robinson said. "It makes it so much easier when you're surrounded by a bunch of dogs who aren't running from the action. They motivate me more than anything, I love going to war with them every week."

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Following the win, Robinson's teammates hounded him with spirited hugs and constant words of affirmation.

"I love having Demarius back man, having him is like a cheat code," said Edmond Santa Fe junior defensive back Rahnel Slaughter, who also had a big day of his own with two interceptions, seven pass breakups and six tackles. "Whenever we get a stop, I'm always expecting him to come back in and score for us. I don't know if people know it yet, but that's the best running back in the state right there."

Robinson was named an Under Armour All-American two years ago after running for 1,482 yards and 16 touchdowns as a freshman. Since returning from injury in 2023, he's run for 657 yards and 10 touchdowns on an astonishing 10.1 yards per carry.

He received his first major-college scholarship offer from Tulsa in June. Following a game for the ages, expect to see more Division-I interest drawn in favor of the Edmond native.

"As long as we maintain staying humble and keep working hard at practice every single day, I'm pretty sure nobody can stop us," Robinson said. "I can't afford to be comfortable at any point. Right now, I play for my mom and dad so that they won't have to work in the future. That mindset is what motivates me most to keep this train moving."

Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school football: Edmond Santa Fe beats Edmond Memorial