By Tom Bragg, For Lootpress.com
FALLING ROCK, W.Va. – A lot was expected out of Herbert Hoover sophomore quarterback Dane Hatfield in 2022, and despite a rocky start to the season he has made some history and is on the doorstep of even more.
Hatfield’s No. 9 Hoover squad will take on unbeaten No. 2 Independence on Friday in the Class AA state championship game – the Huskies first trip to the Super Six in program history.
As a freshman, Hatfield helped lead Hoover to an unbeaten regular season the school’s first since 1977 – and No. 1 seed in the state playoffs. Once there, the Huskies quickly crashed out to eventual state champion Fairmont Senior, but still, the young quarterback made an impression on people around the state and the bar of expectations was set high for him going into his sophomore season.
Hoover began the 2022 season highly ranked but opened with a loss to Scott followed by another loss to Winfield and quickly fell out of the statewide spotlight in Class AA. Several key players were injured early, and other players were still getting used to their new roles on this team. Once the injuries began to heal and the player acclimated to their roles, Hoover was hard to stop.
“Before the season started, I really don’t think we were doing the right things,” Hatfield said. “Then we come out and just with injuries and cramping. We didn’t take care of our bodies. It really shocked us and we realized that we’ve got to get it in gear. That’s what we did, and that’s why we’re where we’re at.”
The Huskies come into Friday’s title game at Wheeling Island Stadium riding a 10-game win streak dating back to early September, and Hatfield – listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds – has been leading the way in that success with both his arm and his legs.
In 11 starts prior to last week, Hatfield had run for 1,415 yards and 23 touchdowns while throwing for 1,367 yards and another 20 touchdowns. He was the hero in the 27-26 quarterfinal round win at No. 1 Winfield two weeks ago, and last week at No. 5 Frankfort Hatfield ran for 185 yards on 36 carries with his pair of rushing touchdowns leading Hoover back from a 10-3 deficit at halftime in a 17-10 win.
“His biggest growth throughout this season has been leadership,” Hoover third-year coach Joey Fields said. “He played well last year, but he didn’t have to lead. As the season went on he got better and better at that. He’s got a short-term memory then it’s on to the next play. He can throw five interceptions – and unfortunately he did that one game – then he’ll throw five touchdowns and it’s the same personality. Sometimes that’s hard and I have a hard time dealing with it, but also I enjoy it on Friday night because he has to go make a play and he responds the right way.
“He’s even-keeled with all of our guys. They rally behind him and know he’s going to lead them.”
It also certainly helps that Hatfield and Fields have a great relationship. Dane is the third of four Hatfield brothers, and both of his older brothers also played for Fields. Drew Hatfield was a freshman at Mingo Central in 2016 when the Miners, with Fields as offensive coordinator, won the Class AA state title and would go on to win the 2019 Moss Award as the state’s top receiver. Devin Hatfield began his high school career at Mingo Central before finishing as a standout receiver/defensive back at Hoover, where last season he was selected as the defensive captain of the Class AA All-State first team.
Now it is Dane Hatfield’s turn in the spotlight with Fields guiding the way, just like both of his older brothers had.
“[Dane] is the third [Hatfield brother],” Fields said. “There is one more – I wish there were a couple of more. I’ve coached all of them, and Dane – last night me and his brother were watching the ‘Kings of Coal’ [video highlights from Mingo Central’s 2016 title team], and Dane was in there back in the background when he was in the fifth grade.
“He’s been around how I like to run a program and we’re like family. You can kind of feel that dynamic at practice and in the game.”
Hatfield’s family actually goes back even more with Fields, as Hatfield said his father was one of Fields’ coaches when he was growing up back in Mingo County.
“I’ve known Joey since I can remember,” Hatfield said. “He has just always been around. My dad was actually his coach, so I’ve known him since forever. The bond is there, so we talk back and forth and are comfortable with each other. It makes me a better player that he is able to trust me more to do what I do.”
