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Alumni Report: Rocky Hayes
by Chad Barnett
hat began as a rather inconspicious start to a college football career, has
turned into one of the surprise talents of the 2012 recruiting class. Heflin's
own Rocky Hayes was listed as merely a two-star athlete coming out of his
senior season of high school. He enters his senior season with the Arkansas
State Red Wolves already being named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List,
an award that honors the best defensive back in the nation.
Due to a liteny of high profile recruits coming out of East Alabama
during his tenure at Cleburne County, such as Kwon Alexander (signed with
LSU) and Trae Elston (signed with Ole Miss) to name a couple, Hayes'
signing with the Sun Belt Conference program didn't get as much press as
his local counterparts. Yet from the moment he stepped foot on the Arkansas
State campus, Hayes strived to prove he belonged in the upper echelon of
college football prospects.
Hayes started four games as a Red Wolve freshman under Head Coach
Gus Malzahn. He thrust onto the scene and finished second on the team in
rushing for the 2012 season with 538 yards on just 58 attempts. The 9.3 yards
per carry average remains a school record. His performance led to him being
named "Best Athlete in the Sun Belt" according to Lindy's, a top-tier college
football preview magazine.
"Different coaches see different thing in different
players. You have to show them what you can
do. Because they may see it in the next guy, or
the next guy or in the recruits."
- Rocky Hayes
"My freshman year it really kicked my career off," said Hayes during
Sun Belt Media Days. "I really appreciate Coach Malzahn for allowing me
to play running back. It helped me get my name out there as a guy that can
make plays."
But just when a healthly career at running back was about to unfold,
changes happened. Gus Malzahn, the man who put his faith in Hayes
with the ball in his hands, left to take over the Auburn football program. It
would be the 4th head coaching change in four years at Arkansas State. The
program would see another change the next year as well when Bryan Harsin,
Malzahn's replacement, left after one-year to take over at Boise State.
"Having new coaches come in you have to reassure yourself in their
eyes," said a resilient Hayes. "Different coaches see different things in
different players. You have to show them what you can do. Because they may
see it in the next guy, or the next guy or in the recruits."
Continued on page 23.
BB Comer - Mike Battles, Sr.
You can’t keep a coach from doing what he loves. Mike Battles Sr. got his first headcoaching job in 1973 at Pell City High School. Forty-two years later he begins his first
year at BB Comer and only needs 20 wins to get to 300 for his career. He has won 209
in the state of Alabama.
Former Heflin Running Back Rocky Hayes
Handley - Larry Strain
One school’s loss is another’s gain. After one year at White Plains, Larry Strain left for Handley High
School. Strain looks to rekindle a spark Mike Battles Sr. was able to ignite when he first took over the
program in 2004, eventually leading them to a state title in 2011. Handley has suffered back-to-back
losing seasons in 2013 and 2014.
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