This story originally appeared in the Oct. 6 edition of the weekly LINK Reader. To get these stories first, subscribe here.
Clay Hayden takes a quick snap from center at Beechwood High School’s Edgar McNabb Field. The junior quarterback drops back and stands in the pocket. He fires a short pass into the waiting hands of a receiver. He then rifles a midrange rocket right at a moving target. Later, he lofts a long laser to a deep route runner, hitting him in stride.
Jay Volker is watching Hayden do his thing during practice. He has seen him throw nearly 200 game passes in his first season as Beechwood head coach. Volker likes what he sees.
“He is a true pocket passer. He is a really good athlete and can run when he needs to, but his arm is special,” Volker said. “There are not many quarterbacks that can make every throw, especially in high school. But Clay is one of those guys. He has a cannon for an arm and knows how to put touch on it when needed.”
The 6-foot-1 Hayden isn’t just strongarming his way downfield with finesse for the three-time defending Class 2A state champion.
“One of the biggest attributes is his ability to read a defense both pre- and post-snap,” Volker said. “We throw the ball a ton, but the way we have attacked defenses with Clay’s accuracy has felt like an extension of the run game. He works hard on knowing defenses and prides himself in that part of his game. This is the part that people don’t see on Friday nights.”
What people are seeing on Fridays is a winning quarterback who has won over Beechwood fans. Why do they love the talent-laden Hayden so much? Let’s count the ways.
Hayden is already a seasoned veteran. He began playing quarterback for Beechwood when he was a freshman. He has appeared in 20 career games for the Tigers.
Hayden has already helped Beechwood win important games. In his first action last year, the Tigers beat Dixie Heights to right the ship after a tough loss to Covington Catholic and didn’t lose another game.
Hayden is already a state champion. Beechwood defeated Mayfield, 14-13, in last year’s Class 2A championship. Hayden completed seven passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in that contest..
He’s also proved his mettle. Hayden missed last season’s first five games with a knee injury. He returned and played in 10 games while wearing a protective brace on his left knee. He passed for 1,822 yards with 21 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
“It’s great to finally be out here injury-free,” Hayden said.
Hayden has a bit of mystique surrounding him. The Tigers won 14 straight games after he returned from injury. They won last season’s final 10 and stretched the streak into this season’s fourth game.
“He is cool and confident,” Volker said. “Nothing really seems to faze him. That’s what you need at that position. Off the field, he is the same way.”
Hayden put up some big numbers in September. He passed for 433 yards and five touchdowns with the Tigers needing everything he had in a 58-54 home win over Simon Kenton. He exploded for 479 passing yards and seven touchdowns when Beechwood needed all he could muster in a 49-48 overtime win at Dixie Heights.
Hayden ranked among state leaders in virtually every major passing category at the end of September. He amassed 1,909 yards, 22 touchdowns and two interceptions with a 72.3% completion rate, pushing his career totals to 3,900 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Beechwood’s offense switched to more of a passing-oriented spread attack under Volker. But most offensive plays and terminology remain basically the same under the direction of returning offensive coaches Greg Hergott and Brandon Berger. That provided continuity for Hayden, allowing him to up his game. The quarterback averaged 182 passing yards per contest last season. This year, he’s averaging 318.
“With his work ethic, he will only get better,” Volker said.
Eastern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State are among colleges that have shown Hayden interest. His stock should rise as the season progresses, because he has all the protection and weaponry needed to keep the air raid going.
A strong offensive line features tackles Xavier Campbell, Brody Waddell and Mattox Kelly, guards Nick Alexander and Jack Meier, and center Chance Baugh. The top five receivers — Tyler Fryman, Luke Erdman, James Cusick, Talon Linder and leading rusher Chase Flaherty — are solid.
“I’ve got the best supporting cast in Northern Kentucky,” Hayden said.
He also has some heartfelt thanks from his coach.
“I appreciate him and the rest of the upperclassmen for welcoming me into the Beechwood football family,” coach Volker said. “They never questioned any adjustments or changes. They bought in and went to work from the very start. Clay was right there leading the way the entire time. I can’t thank them enough.”