FRIDAY NIGHT REWIND: Ill Hayes has no problem carrying load

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

YORKVILLE – Several times during Friday's game at Yorkville, Sycamore senior running back Marckie Hayes came to the sideline and told his father, Marcus, "I don't think I can do this."

Every time, when his number was called, Hayes did.

Hayes missed most of the week of school and practice last week with the flu. He was treated for the H1N1 virus as a precautionary measure, but lab tests – sent to Atlanta – have yet to confirm whether Hayes had that particular strain of the virus.

His fever broke and, following more than 48 hours of isolation at home and medication, Hayes no longer was considered contagious and went to the required classes Friday so he could play in the Spartans' (6-2, 4-2 Western Sun) 27-3 win over Yorkville on Friday night.

He rode to the game with his parents and then was accompanied by his father on the sideline during the game – when he rattled off touchdown runs of 65 and 70 yards – as he finished with 206 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns, an average of 13.7 yards a carry.

After carrying the ball 26 times the week before, Hayes was more than happy with his increased role in the offense, running for more than 800 yards in the past three weeks.

"It's something I've wanted since the beginning of the season," Hayes said. "No knock on what we were doing at the beginning of the season, I just always felt I could contribute more to the offense. Now I'm getting the opportunity."

The 180-pounder has been getting plenty of interest from Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Harvard this fall. But as his season has progressed, several other Division I schools have started to show more interest.

Hayes credited assistant coach Curt Countryman and the school's weightlifting program for helping him gain 20 pounds of muscle over the past year.

"It helps the durability when I can run the ball like I can," Hayes said.

Defense wins: Sycamore was playing without defensive lineman Taylor Dillon on Friday night but still was able to hold Yorkville to three points, meaning they have outscored 82-10 the past three weeks.

The Spartans lead the Western Sun in points scored (231) and points allowed (81). Senior defensive lineman Harlan Johnson picked up two more sacks Friday night, pushing his season total to nine.

Playoff hosts? After clinching a playoff berth Friday night, Sycamore is up to 18th in the IHSA's playoff outlook in Class 5A. The top 16 teams host a first-round playoff game while 17-32 will be on the road.

With a win against Glenbard South (6-2, 5-1 WSC) on Friday night, the Spartans most likely would jump up the rankings and host a first-round game.

"We'll be really tested by a good Glenbard South team," Sycamore coach Joe Ryan said. "But the way our defense has played has given off offense a bunch of chances."

Players of the Week: Offense – Running back Marckie Hayes ran for 206 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns while battling the flu.

Defense – While Harlan Johnson got two more sacks, linebacker Stave Nayman found his way into the backfield for seven tackles for loss on Yorkville running backs. His closing speed was evident as he came in unblocked on several plays.