By Cooper Chadwick
As one of the very few returning two-way starters for Garden Plain, senior Emrick Hays is ready to get back on the field.
Hays plays running back and linebacker for the Owls. Last year he racked up 1,157 rushing yards on 197 carries and 18 touchdowns and on the defensive had 77 total tackles and 8 tackles for loss with two sacks.
Hays spent a lot of the offseason getting better and chasing his goal for the season; to just win.
“I have been showing up to morning weights everyday all summer. Also going to team camps to get as much of a game experience as possible during the summer,” Hays said.
As a senior, Hays is forced into a leadership role, and he is ready to lead his team to all the goals they have set for themselves.
“I’m most excited about seeing what we can do as a team and seeing how far we can go in the playoffs. Also excited to see if I can improve off of last season,” Hays said. “Currently I am one of six leaders on the team. Because of this I need to lead the team and show the team what it takes to win.”
Hays has specifics he wants to improve on as well, and he spent this offseason doing just that.
“I am mainly wanting to improve on the defensive side of the ball. Specifically my ability to read the play and make open field tackles,” Hays said. “I have watched my film from last year and studied what I could’ve done better and also how I’m going to play teams differently this year.”
