The go ball is one of the most beautiful plays in football. All fans know the feeling – the quarterback launches a ball well past the screen and into the empty void, until the camera pans to a WR streaking down the sideline with a CB trailing him, attempting to prevent the big play. Until the ball re-enters the frame, we don’t know what the result will be. That split-second of suspense ties knots in the stomach of every football fan in the country. Luckily for Archbishop Hannan, their fans haven’t had that same worry, because Hayden Alonzo comes down with the go ball seemingly every single time.
Hayden Alonzo is a WR built from a lab to maximize the potential of every go ball that gets sent his way. He’s got the size, hands, and toughness needed to catch ever contested opportunity he gets when in traffic. He’s got the route running polish to gain separation when the deep pass is thrown, and the speed to break away from defenders and be a monster threat after the catch. He’s the real deal.
Hands
The most important part to any passing play as a receiver is the ability to catch the football, and Hayden Alonzo is more than proficient – a real strength of his game. He’s great catching the ball in any situation, but he is especially great at the contested catches that constantly come up when a go ball is thrown his way. His combination of height (6’2″) and experience as a basketball player gives him the ability to high point the ball and concentrate to the end of the catch at an extremely high level.
You can’t overstate how fun his jump ball film is to watch. He looks like a man among boys going up and getting the ball, simply embarrassing the poor DB that has to try to stop him. It’s truly like he’s going up for a rebound, boxing out the opposing player, and catching the ball, and he is so good at it.
Route Running and Speed
Hayden Alonzo combines that great contested catch ability with a lot of polish as a route runner. When it comes to the go ball in particular, it’s his speed that shines. He isn’t just someone that goes up and gets the jump ball. He’s also someone who has the speed to complete the play and be lethal as a touchdown threat. Whether it’s coming down on his feet after the contested catch and outrunning all the other defenders, or avoiding the contested catch entirely by generating separation with his speed in the first place, Alonzo is liable to find himself streaking down the sideline with the ball in his hands, changing the game in one play.
He rounds out his game with the ability to effectively run more than just the vertical route. His speed and contested catch ability forces opposing defenders to give him tons of cushion, which he exploits with crisp cuts on a shorter route like a curl. When the defender is on skates having to bail immediately to not get beat deep, it gives Alonzo plenty of space to turn around, catch a quicker route, and then have plenty of room to continue to be a threat with his speed after the catch.
Hayden has a well rounded skillset as a receiver that makes him a true vertical threat and the work ethic (3.2 GPA) to use it. He has everything needed to become a really good wide receiver at the college level.
What got you into football in the first place? What makes you love it?
I learned it from my brother. He played football, and I try to follow in his footsteps because he’s a big motivator.
What’s your favorite football memory?
Playing in my sophomore year with my brother, in a game where we both scored touchdowns. That’s just a big memory for me.
What parts of your basketball background help the most when playing Wide Receiver?
Just aggressiveness and knowing where the ball is at. Being able to keep my head on a swivel.
What is your biggest strength on the field?
I’m best with my hands. Every ball that is close to me, I’m going to catch it, no matter how close it is. Also my speed, I can run away from defenders as well as anybody can.
What kind of work do you do to make that such a strength for you?
Every practice, I stay after for about an hour getting work in with my brother. Sometimes the QB stays and we work on routes together, getting timing down. During the summer, every day I was doing drills on the cones, getting ready for my senior year.
Which NFL player do you try to emulate the most with your own game?
Calvin Johnson, Megatron. His game is perfect .I look at it, and I just want to be it.
What are some goals for yourself and your team this year?
I had 600 yards, so I’d like to pass that and get to 800 or 1,000. I had 6 touchdowns, I’d like 8 or 10. And then, of course, All-State as well. For the team, we had a rough stop, but we just beat St. Thomas Aquinous by 40 points. I’d like for us to win some games in district, make the playoffs, and make a run.
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