WILDCATS’ ‘X-FACTOR’
Haessly breaking records in his first season as the starting RB for Hanover Central
Kyle Haessly has seized his first opportunity as Hanover Central’s primary running back.
The junior set the program record for rushing yards in a game, gaining 260 with three touchdowns on 32 carries in the Wildcats’ 41-0 win against Benton Central in a Class 3A sectional semifinal on Oct. 29. Haessly also is on the verge of breaking the program’s single-season records for both yards and TDs.
He prepared to assume this role after three-year starter Adam Graham graduated. But he didn’t exactly envision being this productive.
“This year, it was my turn to take the job on offense,” Haessly said. “It just went from there.
“I wouldn’t be able to do anything without the offensive line. They open those holes, and I just have to be the athlete, run through them . ... We just kept putting up numbers.”
With Hanover Central (11-1) coming off the first sectional title in program history and preparing to face Mishawaka Marian (9-3) in a regional, Haessly has racked up 1,317 yards and 24 TDs on 190 carries. Dustin Lindley ran for 1,330 yards and 25 TDs as a senior in 2016, establishing the program records.
Haessly rushed for 158 yards and two TDs on 24 carries in limited time as one of Graham’s backups last season, but he started at safety each of the past two seasons. He has shifted to outside linebacker and has 27 tackles with 12.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks, tied for the team lead.
Hanover Central coach Brian Parker described Haessly as “the most explosive athlete we have in our program,” given his metrics in terms of speed, vertical leap and weightlifting. Haessly also
competes in sprints and the long jump in track and field.
“A lot of people get caught up in the points that we score, the impact plays through the air,” Parker said. “But Kyle with the power running aspect of our offense has really allowed us to put defenses in pretty tough situations with our ability to run the football and getting the ball outside to our receivers and down the field.
“He’s been great. He’s been awesome. He’s been a huge element to what we do.”
Before sixth grade, Haessly moved from Ohio, where Parker’s family is from, and the two bonded over their common roots.
“He holds a place near and dear to my heart — he’s an Ohio State fan, I’m a die-hard Ohio State fan,” Parker said. “That’s what first endeared Kyle to me. When I first met him, he was always wearing Ohio State stuff.”
Parker taught physical education at the middle school when he first arrived in the district. In his first year, he had Haessly in class as an eighth grader, along with other current junior standouts like wide receiver/defensive back Gannon Howes and two-way lineman Ryan Hildeman.
“Going to their games, Gannon would flash, (quarterback Matt) Koontz was in seventh grade, Hildeman was huge, but Kyle was the one who stood out,” Parker said. “You look at his legs. He was in eighth grade, and he had these legs that looked like a man.
“He’s fast. He’s a high academic kid. We’ve really seen him mature as a runner the last month. He’ been that X-factor for us.”
Haessly wants to help Hanover Central continue to make history against Marian, which has won seven straight sectional titles and three regionals in four seasons.
“I’m just glad to be a part of this program, especially with it taking off,” he said. “I’m glad to be part of the team that could first win sectionals. We’ll forever be remembered here, hopefully.”
Rushing record: Lavarion Logan became Merrillville’s career rushing leader with his performance in a 42-14 win against Lafayette Jefferson in a Class 6A sectional final last week.
The senior ran for 223 yards and two TDs on 25 carries, pushing his career total to 3,608 yards. Denzel Pierce, the team’s running backs coach who graduated in 2011, had 3,572 yards in three seasons from 2008 to 2010.
Logan has amassed his yardage in just two seasons after returning from Joliet Catholic. He has 1,981 yards and a program-record 33 TDs on 238 carries this season
after accumulating 1,627 yards and 24 TDs on 287 carries last season. Those two seasons rank second and third in Merrillville history, behind only James Aldridge’s 2,109 yards in 2004.
Logan tweeted Tuesday night he decommitted from South Dakota State, having announced his commitment Oct. 24.
He will try to add to his totals when the Pirates (11-0) play Penn (6-5) in a regional on Friday. Rushing record redux: Hayden Vinyard set Valparaiso’s single-season rushing record last week.
The senior running back has 1,996 yards and 25 TDs on 230 carries after recording 164 yards and a score on 14 carries in a 42-0 win against Munster in a Class 5A sectional final.
Don Clark, an assistant coach on Valparaiso’s staff, had 1,863 yards in 1998.
Vinyard and the Vikings (10-1) will play Duneland Athletic Conference rival Michigan City (8-3) in a regional on Friday.