Maine South senior wide receiver and linebacker Rory Hayes is extra motivated to help the Hawks defend their state title.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Hayes contributed at receiver and linebacker as a junior, but he broke his right leg while playing on defense in a Week 7 loss to New Trier and missed the rest of the season.
Hayes watched from the sidelines with his leg in a cast, and for a few weeks wheeled around on a scooter, as the Hawks bounced back and won seven straight games en route to a Class 8A state championship.
Hayes was a presence on the sidelines and in the locker room for the entire postseason and said he was thrilled to be a part of it. However, he admitted he may not have fully experienced the playoff run as a non-playing member of the team. That’s why Hayes said he’s determined to help lead the Hawks back to the summit again this season.
“It just makes me want this year to be even better and for us to win state again, because (last year) I was a part of it, but at the same time, I wasn’t a part of it. It just motivates me,” said Hayes, a Park Ridge resident who said he unsuccessfully tried to convince Hawks coach Dave Inserra to let him play in the title game versus Loyola.
Hayes caught eight passes for 154 yards and a touchdown on Friday, but it was not enough as the Hawks suffered a 28-26 loss to Lincoln-Way East in Park Ridge. The game was a rematch of a state quarterfinal a year ago, which Maine South won by three points.
One of the positives to come out of the game for the Hawks was the connection senior quarterback John O’Sullivan developed with Hayes and fellow senior receiver Cam Stacy.
O’Sullivan completed 30-of-46 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw an interception with just over 2 minutes remaining in the game and the Hawks driving for a go-ahead score.
Stacy (eight catches, 142 yards, three touchdowns) and Hayes were dangerous all night, and appear ready to replace last year’s top wide receivers Luke Hinkamp and Matthew Holbrook, who both graduated.
The passing game needed to be on point because Lincoln-Way East (2-0) shut down Northern Illinois-bound running back Fotis Kokosioulis like few teams prior, holding the senior to 15 yards on 15 carries. Kokosioulis caught nine passes for 50 yards.
More Top Picks Best Phonics Programs For Early Readers
Hayes made timely catches throughout the game. His 61-yard, third-quarter touchdown reception — a short pass over the middle that he took to the end zone — came on the first play from scrimmage after the visiting Griffins had opened up a 28-13 lead. Four of Hayes’ other catches were third-down grabs that picked up a first down.
“(Hayes) is just always the best athlete on the field, whenever he’s on the field,” said O’Sullivan, who lives in Park Ridge. “He has that big-play ability. You see it when he gets the ball in his hands and makes big plays when we need him.”
Hayes, who also played outside linebacker, made his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball as well. He was part of a team sack in the second quarter and made an important solo tackle on Lincoln-Way East superstar receiver A.J. Henning in the third quarter, limiting the sophomore to a short gain.
“(He made plays) on both sides of the ball,” Inserra said. “He played outstanding on defense and made some big catches and runs. Rory is a little bit of (an athletic) freak. He plays his butt off non-stop. You like having him on your side.”
Hayes, a captain, said he’s also taking his role as a team leader seriously. He’s an experienced player on a team with many new faces. He also said good leadership was a major factor in Maine South’s postseason success a year ago.
“Throughout the (2016) playoffs, a bunch of kids stepped up as captains and helped out everybody,” Hayes said. “That really helped us (as a team).”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press