Wilde Lake coach Doug DuVall has a simple explanation why Ashton Hayes has emerged as one of the state?s best running backs.
“He?s gotten where he is because he works hard,” DuVall said. “He?s always training. We?ll finish practice in the summertime and everybody else is going home, I?ll see Ashton head over to the stadium to run stairs or do something extra to make himself better. And like anything, the harder you work, the more it pays off.”
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It certainly has. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior has rushed for 1,256 yards and 18 touchdowns to lead Wilde Lake (10-2) into tonight?s 3A semifinal at Damascus (11-1) at 7. The Wildecats are one victory away from advancing to their first state final since winning their Howard County-best fifth state title in 1997.
“It?s exciting going to the playoffs,” DuVall said. “It?s like going to the amusement park with the kids and at the end you find out that you get to stay for another day.”
Hayes has teamed with Jerrel Epps (1,186 yards, 10 TDs) as the driving force behind the Wildecats extending their season. The duo powers an offense that has rushed for more than 4,000 yards and averages 28 points per game ? nearly 10 more than last season, when the Wildecats finished 8-2.
“I think to be successful you gotta be hungry. You have to want to work and you have to want to get better,” Hayes said. “If you think you?re already there, then you aren?t going to get any better. So you have to stay hungry and keep working.”
But pushing himself is something Hayes hasn?t always done ? until his stepfather, Anthony Jenkins, forced him to changehis work ethic.
“My stepfather instilled that in me when I was young because I used to not want to go outside and train,” Hayes said. “He used to tell me, ?Go outside; don?t waste time in the house. Why be inside all the time??”
Jenkins no longer has to prod Hayes off the couch. His motivation? The state title.
“I?ve been playing on Wilde Lake varsity since my sophomore year and we?ve never really made it,” Hayes said. “My sophomore year we were 5-5, junior year we were 8-2. It means I?ve learned a lot from those years. It?s really significant to the school. That?s what this school is about: football.”
WILDE LAKE (10-2) VS. DAMASCUS (11-1)
» Kickoff: Tonight, 7
» Where: Damascus High School (25921 Ridge Road in Damascus)
» To the winner: A berth in the state final against Hereford or Lackey at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
» Directions: Take I-95 to I-695 W to I-70 W heading toward Frederick. Take exit 68 for MD-27 S toward Damascus/Mt. Airy. Merge onto Historic National Rd. Turn Left at MD-27 S (Ridge Road). Turn Right at High Corner St. Turn Left at Lewis Dr. Continue on MD-27/Ridge Road until you reach the school.
» Leading passers: Wilde Lake: Danny March (30-of-64, 576 yards, 7 TDs). Damascus: Kyle Frazier (86-of-128, 1,381 yards, 19 TDs).
» Leading Rushers: Wilde Lake: Ashton Hayes (147 carries, 1,256 yards, 18 TDs); Jarrel Epps (145 carries, 1,186 yards, 10 TDs). Damascus: Evan Zedler (193 carries, 1,822 yards, 29 TDs); Joey Laurienzo (46 carries, 309 yards, 2 TDs).
» Leading Receivers: Wilde Lake: Chaz Cousin (9 catches, 231yards, 4 TDs). Damascus: Lee Hertel (31 catches, 604 yards, 8 TDs); Zedler (16 catches, 185 yards, 2 TDs)
» Leading Tacklers: Wilde Lake: LB Daniel Foust (68); CB Danny March (64). Damascus: DB Brian Wittenberger (121); LB Josh Frederick (107)
