BLACKSVILLE – Sophomore running back Caleb Hall was a late bloomer in the offense for the Clay-Battelle High School football team last season, bursting onto the scene in the backfield for first-year head coach Aaron LaPoe and the Cee-Bees.
Caleb says being in the weight room and spending time with his teammates in the offseason has been a key focus for him.
“Doing that has definitely made all of us better,” he said. “Getting in the weight room and seeing the progress from everyone is motivating. I am most excited about how our team chemistry is coming together, especially with Coach LaPoe and everyone having a better understanding of what it truly means to be a team.”
Hall got the call as a freshman and delivered for his team with strong perfomrnaces late in the season. He rushed for 97 yards and two scores against Tygarts Valley in a one-point defeat. Then, ran for 91 yards and two more touchdowns on nine carries in a 35-13 victory over Hancock (Md.). He capped his inaugural season in Blacksville with a 136-yard effort against Magnolia in a 14-12 loss.
“It all starts with my line,” he said. “If it weren’t for those guys our offense wouldn’t go anywhere. I am especially grateful for them for my success and also for Coach LaPoe helping me understand my assignments better and getting a better feel for the position.”
Ironically, the beginning of Hall’s career in Blacksville slightly mirrors that of LaPoe’s, who is Clay-Battelle’s all-time leader in rushing yards and attempts.
LaPoe entered the backfield for then-head coach Ryan Wilson as a freshman, eventually running his way into the record books.
“I was actually telling the guys that story the other day,” LaPoe said with a chuckle. “Caleb is just a true running back. He can make his cuts without losing speed or balance, and he has playmaking ability and vision. He ran track for the first time in the spring to help his speed and he’s gotten a little bigger in the weight room. He’s been as committed as anyone on the team.”
Despite only being a sophomore, LaPoe says Hall has emerged as a leading voice on the team and that he’s showing the signs of being a staple on the team.
“We obviously have our senior guys like Braden Ponceroff and Kooper Statler who are the leaders we all know,” LaPoe said. “But that’s also the role I see Caleb playing at times too. He’s getting an early start to his career, so who knows where he could go.”
Hall says his team is confident in its chemistry and ability to win games this season.
“If we are consistent as a team with what we do every day, and do it the right way, we will reach our goals,” he said. “My goals for this season are to focus more on my health and recovery, and simply to improve on what I did last season. I want to help my team win games however I can.”
