Hayes standing out from the crowd in South Fayette’s offense
Hunter Hayes
Ryan Schmider (13), Brett Beltz and Hunter Hayes (8) congratulate Nick Ponikvar (2) after his 87-yard touchdown reception against Aliquippa last Friday in the WPIAL Class AA Championship game.
Hunter Hayes’ sophomore season took an unexpected turn during the WPIAL and PIAA Class AA playoffs last year.
After playing sparingly throughout the regular season, the South Fayette running back was suddenly thrust into a prominent role in the Lions’ postseason run.
In the WPIAL title game, Hayes’ 49-yard run late in the third quarter set up a touchdown to give South Fayette the lead.
After defensive back Roman Denson was injured on the opening kickoff of the PIAA semifinals against Hickory, Hayes was inserted as the starter opposite senior Conner Beck.
When the Lions defeated Imhotep Charter, 41-0, to claim the program’s first state title, Hayes was starting in a secondary that allowed just 125 passing yards.
Entering this season, Hayes knew he would have an opportunity to help the Lions repeat as WPIAL and state champions after earning the starting running back job. He envisioned being a key cog in the Lions’ offense. It has come to fruition.
In four WPIAL playoff games, he gained 454 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging more than six yards per carry. Against Aliquippa at Heinz Field Friday night, the Quips attempted to disrupt South Fayette’s prolific passing game by stacking the line of scrimmage and blitzing relentlessly.
Although Quips head coach Mike Zmijanac feared it would be Lions senior quarterback Brett Brumbaugh’s arm that would dismantle Aliquippa’s defensive game plan, it was the first-year starting running back that quickly gave South Fayette the lead.
On the Lions’ fourth play from scrimmage, Hayes avoided the blitz, ran up the left sideline and cut back to midfield on his way to a 46-yard touchdown run. He finished with 109 yards on 22 carries in the 31-22 victory.
“It was awesome. Last year, I could have scored a touchdown possibly, but when I got into that end zone (Friday night), I was so excited to see my teammates run at me and celebrate with them,” Hayes said.
Hayes is hoping to carry his strong performance into the PIAA playoffs, which begin Friday night. South Fayette (13-0) will face Karns City (11-1) at Clarion University in the quarterfinals with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. The two teams faced one another in the quarterfinals last year with the Lions winning, 56-21.
“I’ve been waiting for this my whole high school career,” Hayes said. “All I’ve ever wanted to be is a starter. I worked hard for it and I think trying to get another state championship – one that means more to me for being a starter on both sides of the ball – there would be more sentimental value to me.”
During South Fayette’s 29-game winning streak, the Lions received memorable performances from several players. There was Denson’s key interception against the Quips in last year’s title game, Ben Berkovitz’s forced fumble against Hickory in the state semifinals and Beck’s interception returned for a touchdown against Imhotep Charter.
The one aspect of the Lions’ offense that is often overlooked is the running game. Last year’s starting running back, Grant Fetchet, rushed for 1,389 yards and 21 touchdowns. JJ Walker also rushed for 20 touchdowns last season. Hayes has kept South Fayette’s offense multi-dimensinal.
“We knew last year he was going to be a tremendous player,” Rossi said. “When Roman went down, he was playing in the state championship game. At Heinz Field last season, we threw him in as a change-of-pace back and he ripped off a 50-yard run. That experience helped him, but he has gotten better each week and that’s because he works so hard in practice.”
While Brumbaugh executed the WPIAL’s top passing attack the past two seasons and is 303 yards away from becoming the state’s all-time leading passer, it was the running game that lifted the Lions to Hershey last December.
In the semifinals against Hickory, the Hornets dropped as many as 10 players in coverage to combat Brumbaugh and the passing game. It forced the Lions into errors and with the game on the line, Rossi turned to Fetchet, who ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in the fourth quarter. Hayes has had the same affect on opposing defenses trying to scheme against Brumbaugh.
“After a few of his big games, I’ve seen him gain confidence week by week,” Brumbaugh said of Hayes. “He knows how good he is and how great he can play. He’s done a phenomenal job for us.”
With Karns City waiting and a possible rematch with Hickory in the semifinals, South Fayette will need its versatile running back to repeat as state champions.
Starting in the state title game a year ago and gaining invaluable experience on offense as a sophomore has Hayes ready for any challenge to come with his one goal in mind – bringing another state title to South Fayette.
“We were excited about winning WPIALs, but now we have to get back on track, stay focused, survive and advance to Hershey,” Hayes said.