BRYCE IS RIGHT
Hayes living out dream as senior QB leading Lincoln-Way Central
When Bryce Hayes was in third grade, one of the class assignments was an “all about me” assignment.
One of the questions: “What do you want to do when you get older?”
Hayes’ response?
“I want to start on Friday nights like my brother at Lincoln-Way Central.”
Ten years later, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Hayes has brought those words to life. The senior quarterback will be at the controls for the Knights (3-1, 3-0) at 7 p.m. Friday against SouthWest Suburban rival Lincoln-Way East (4-0, 2-0).
“To start at quarterback for Lincoln-Way Central has been a dream of mine,” Hayes said. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”
It’s been worth the wait. He has completed 41 of 63 passes for 514 yards and one touchdown.
Hayes’s contributions, however, extend well beyond the statistics, according to Lincoln-Way Central coach Jeremy Cordell.
“Bryce is an incredible leader who is wise beyond his years,” Cordell said. “He’s very smart, calculated and inquisitive about his daily progress and the progress of the Knight Train (offense).
“He leads the offense with poise and composure. The Knight Train (offense) feeds off him and his ability to lead.”
So far, a 22-14 win over LincolnWay West in Week 2 has been the highlight.
But the big fish in the pond awaits in defending Class 8A state champion Lincoln-Way East.
“They’re a great team,” Hayes said. “We have to stay calm and finish, finish, finish. This is going to be a special week.”
It’s been a special experience attending Central for Hayes.
His grandmother, Bobbie, is a 1963 Lincoln-Way graduate. Bryce Hayes’ father, Steve, and mother, Vicky, are 1988 Lincoln-Way grads.
Bryce Hayes’ two older brothers, Cale and Nolan, are Central graduates who played football. Cale Hayes was a quarterback, Nolan Hayes a wide receiver.
Bryce Hayes’ sister, Marla, is a freshman at Central.
Their grandfather, Don, coached girls basketball, baseball and boys golf at Lincoln-Way and Lincoln-Way Central.
That’s a ton of family history. Bryce Hayes, however, was never intimidated by that. He has embraced it. “Growing up, there’s a picture of me and my two brothers at a Central football game when I was 1,” he said. “To say I bleed Lincoln-Way Central is not an understatement. It’s been a blessing. My family is who I look to when I need support.”
No rest for Mustangs: With a lack of depth, Evergreen Park coach Jerry Verde made a decision that the best players must be on the field at all times.
The Mustangs (3-1) have eight players going both ways, and the strategy has worked.
“We knew the two-platoon system wouldn’t work this year,” Verde said. “We’re putting the best kids on the field who give us the best chance to win.”
Verde praised the performances of senior two-way lineman Reggie Bracken, senior running back/linebacker Robert Streater, senior wide receiver/linebacker Karlton Carpenter and junior free safety/wide receiver Sean Wilkinson.
Streater rushed for 157 yards and a TD in a Week 4 win over Reavis.
Wilkinson and Carpenter also play on the punt and kickoff return teams.
“The guys going both ways have a certain toughness and aren’t willing to back down,” Verde said. “The team has fed off this. We’re pulling close games out. Now we have to focus Friday on Oak Lawn.”
Did you know? HomewoodFlossmoor graduate Kendric Pryor has five catches for 62 yards and one TD for Wisconsin. A sophomore, Prior finished with 13 catches for 179 yards last season.