Blue Chip Chat ’ 19

Dayon Hayes I Westinghouse I OT- DE

Dayon Hayes is the best prospect to come out of the City League in years.

( Second in a series on top high school football players in the area.) THE SCOOP

One of the hottest prospects to come out of the City League in a number of years. Is coming off super junior year when he had 26 sacks and 11 forced fumbles. Those statistics are almost too hard to believe, but Westinghouse coach Donta Green said they are documented on film. With Hayes and a number of other returnees, Westinghouse figures to challenge for a City League title this season.

COLLEGE TALK

Hayes made a verbal commitment to Pitt in June. He was recruited as a defensive end. Pitt was the first power five conference school to offer a scholarship to Hayes in January. Ohio State was Hayes’ other top choice.

OUR QUESTIONS, HIS ANSWERS

Should we really believe those 26 sacks from last year, when you missed three games? Listen, I didn’t know it, either ( laugh). But coach [ Donta] Green showed them to me.

So what should we expect this year? I think I’m going to have 30- plus. Well, definitely 30. I know it’s crazy because 26 is a lot.

Are you bigger, faster, stronger? Correct. I ran track last spring.

I would suspect you haven’t lifted weights all that much?

Honestly, not a lot.

Should Westinghouse be ranked No. 1 in the City League this year? Oh, yeah.

Over Allderdice? Allderdice has won two championships in a row? This is what I have to say. People don’t realize our

whole secondary was fresh last year. We had a lot of players who

played and weren’t supposed to play. Coach [ Green] has done a good job going into the school in the spring almost every day. He and his wife did a lot of different things to help get kids eligible. More kids are playing.

What should we expect from

you this year? I expect to do some very good things. But the only goal I really have is to go for a state championship. I want a ring. That’s the goal.

Is that realistic? I think it is.

We have the talent.

But only one team from the City League has ever made to a state championship game. Perry did it twice. What makes you think you guys can do it? We’re really a team. I just think the talent is there, we’ve got the best bond, our best size and we’ve got some really good athletes. I think we’re going to make a run.

AND FINALLY …

Who’s the best City League player ever that you know of? I do know City League history. There was a really good linebacker years ago at Brashear who went to West Virginia, but I can’t remember his name.

Mike Booth? Yes, him.

Wow, that’s impressive you know him. He was the late 1980s. Do you know the great Brashear QB before Booth who almost won the Heisman Trophy? No, I don’t.

Major Harris. I thought you would know him. Do you know … Curtis Martin from Allderdice? No, never heard of him ( laugh).

Curtis Martin is the fifth- leading rusher in NFL history and in the Hall of Fame. How do you not know him? I guess I need to learn some more history ( laugh).