BENTONVILLE -- The U.S. Naval Academy just didn't have enough Moerhings as placekickers these days.
Hayden Moehring decided to follow the footsteps of his older brother Bennett and made it official when he signed his letter of intent to play football for the Midshipmen during Wednesday's ceremony at the Tiger Athletic Complex.
"That definitely played a part of it," said Moehring, who chose Navy over offers from the other service academics and Southern Methodist. "My brother played a big role in the whole recruiting process, teaching me everything I know about kicking and other stuff.
"It wasn't the deciding factor, but I think it played a big role in it. I think it's really going to be cool being on the team with him again."
Hayden Moehring, an all-state selection and a member of the all-NWADG football team last fall, hit all 48 of his extra-point attempts and 9 of 11 field goals, with his long being a 47-yarder against Fayetteville. He put 57 of 66 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.
Now he will join Bennett Moehring in Annapolis, Md., and Hayden said he may consider becoming his brother's holder. The older Moehring became Navy's starting kicker this season and hit 8 of 10 field goals -- including a long of 40 yards -- and 65 of 68 extra-point attempts.
"We kind of feed off each other," Hayden said. "Everything I know about kicking, I learned from him. He comes up with the routines that we both do, and I'm able to give him some tips on his form because we know each other really well."
The younger Moehring was one of six Bentonville athletes to sign on the first day of the latest signing period. The group included three football players -- Jack Short with Central Arkansas, Jacob Clark with Harding and Clay Barganier at Ouachita Baptist -- while soccer players Lauren Hargus and Emma Welch also signed letters with UCA and Harding, respectively.
Short, who started high school football as a tight end before starting the last two seasons on the Tigers' offensive line, will return to his original position with the Bears. He kept true to the verbal commitment he made last summer and is now preparing for his new position.
"It's been a relief to be able to settle down and know where I'm going," Short said. "I was counting down the days, and it's finally here. It's been a great day.
"I was rock solid with UCA. They gave me an opportunity many schools wouldn't have given me with the opportunity to play tight end. I've been working on strength and gaining weight to where I can play at the college level and getting ready for tight end."
Clark, who was the 7A-West Conference's leading rusher with 1,317 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, will join a run-heavy Harding team that won the Great American Conference title last fall. Barganier, who had 25 receptions for 339 yards and two scores, made Ouachita his choice Tuesday night before signing with the Tigers.
Meanwhile, Hargus signed her soccer letter after toiling between UCA and Harding and chose soccer over basketball. She also wanted to get it done and over with so she could concentrate on her senior season and getting the Lady Tigers another state title.
"I want to finish this senior season off strong -- with a ring," Hargus said. "I'm super excited about UCA. It's close to home, and the team chemistry is good. I really like the coaches, and I think it's a good program for me."
Welch gives Harding a capable offensive player as she scored two goals in two different matches against Springdale High last spring.
Sports on 02/02/2017