FAYETTEVILLE — Dylan Hale isn't about to give up on making 2009 a season to remember for the right reasons. Fayetteville's junior tailback is showing there's more than one way to make a contribution to the team.
Hale is developing into an explosive offensive weapon for the Purple Dogs and he's quickly learning that danger can derive from many forms. Hale was expected to be one of Fayetteville's most apt running backs in recent memory. Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton dubbed Hale as "the best we've seen sinceI've been here."
Considering that Brent Phillips and Renardo Mahone both played for Patton and both own multiple school rushing records, that was a bold assessment, especially since it was made before Hale had played a single down of his junior season.
But Hale isn't playing behind the same offensive lines that Mahone and Phillips were. Those two backs helped Fayetteville lead the 7A-West in rushing in consecutive seasons.
"I wouldn't trade my line for any other line," Halesaid. "But I think instead of just executing what we practice, sometimes we're thinking too much out there. But I think we could all do a better job in the running game. I think we need to quit thinking and start coming off the ball harder and hitting people in the mouth like I know we can, especially when we're trying to run inside."
Hale's damage isn't being done via the traditional tailback method. Fayetteville's smallish, inexperienced offensive line doesn't permit the brand of attack Hale would relish as a speedy bruiser.
Hale is averaging 5.06 yards per carry but has only rushed for 233 yards on 46 totes with two rushing touchdowns for the Purple Dogs (1-2-1, 0-1 7A-West). Hale has been most valuable in the passing game where he's rapidly becoming one of quarterback Brandon Allen's most utilized targets. Hale has snared 11 receptions for 164 yards.
Hale has been key in Fayetteville's short passing game, particularly in disguising screens and netting yards after the catch. Hale logged the bulk of that production last week, registering six catches for 79 yards against Bentonville. Both stats were team highs. Hale also ran a kick back 63 yards against Bentonville to set up a field goal.
"Obviously, I enjoy getting the ball anyway I can," Hale said. "I'd love to be able to take the handoff and run over teams but I'm just as content making plays in the passing game and laying down blocks in pass protection. I know I can help the team running tunnel screens andsideline screens because teams aren't picking up on it real well, especially when I'm out there in a quad or empty set."
But it isn't Hale's stats that Patton is most impressed with.
"I've been most pleased with his effort," Patton said. "If we could get 11 guys to play with his effort on every snap, we'd be a lot better. The other night against Bentonville, he ran out on a hitch pass, knocked down the end and then ran out and knocked down the corner. He plays hard, 100 miles an hour. He has great hands out of the backfield and does a great job in pass protection. He's an all-around good player."
Right now Patton is focused on finding ways to attack Springdale High this Friday. Hale will play a vital role in that plan.
"He's going to be huge for us if we want to get this turned around," Patton said. "We've got to get him the ball more in situations where he can be successful and we've got to do a better job run blocking and getting yards on the ground. But we're not going to sit there and hand it to him 25 times because that's just not our offense."
Patton said his ideal distribution for Hale would include 12-14 handoffs and another five or six touches through the air.
"Twenty touches would be a good number for Hale," Patton said. "He can do a lot of things and we need to give him more chances. But there are a lot more ways for him to help us other than taking the handoff. Dylan's a guy who can take it to the house on any catch or kick and he hurts you in so many different ways. We just need to give him more opportunities to do that."
Sports, Pages 9, 10 on 09/29/2009