By Blake Chadwick

Class 3A powerhouse Andale ended the 2022 season for Brody Hayes and the Clay Center Tigers – a fact that Hayes hasn’t forgotten. 

Hayes, a senior running back and safety for the Tigers, is coming off a year where he had 105 tackles, eight pass breakups, 1,499 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. His numbers helped him earn first team All-League and All-District selections as a safety and a running back. He was named All-State as a safety.

With the offseason grind ending and practices coming to the forefront, Hayes knows he has done his fair share of work with and without the team over the summer. 

“I have prepared for the season by lifting weights and doing speed and agility sessions with Sharp Performance in Salina,” Hayes said. “Team workouts have been very intense this summer. We know what we are capable of, so the coaches are hard on us to get the best out of us.” 

Like all teams, the Tigers have state championship dreams. Hayes has plans to get them there. 

“I have very high expectations for myself as a leader and a player this year,” he said. “In the past, I have led by example. This year, though, is different. I am going to have to become a vocal leader.”

Hayes expects to ball out. 

“I expect to lead this team to victory,” he said. “Winning games will really bring Clay Center together as a community.”