High school football: Valin Hedden finds role as West Lafayette's leading tackler
WEST LAFAYETTE - Valin Hedden didn't have a natural position.
As a junior last season, West Lafayette coaches assigned him to the defensive line as a reserve to spell seniors Nate Brown, Mo Omonode or Connor Barket.
With that trio gone, it seemed Hedden might be in line to assume a starting role.
He was, just not on the defensive line.
"Most of the time last year he spent on the D-line sort of as a backup," West Lafayette coach Shane Fry said. "But it is nice to have guys who are versatile and can go play with their hand down or without."
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"This year we didn’t know where to go coming in. The way it unfolded over the summer it was pretty clear he was going to be one of the linebackers. He has done a great job."
That is an understatement.
Hedden currently equals fellow senior linebacker Matthew Richardson with a team-high 57 tackles.
His 27 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks all lead the Red Devils.
"Me playing on D-line last year helped me face bigger guys," Hedden said. "Last year I was a little bit shorter, but a lot smaller. I was maybe 5-9, 160 and now I am 5-11, 180 or 185 so I think that helped facing bigger people and not being scared to go against anyone."
Hedden also carries a no-nonsense approach.
Go out, don't overthink and deliver a hit.
He brings an attitude and a skillset that offsets being undersized, some of that technique that's carried over from the wrestling mats, where he was a semistate qualifier at 160 pounds last winter, and some just quickness and athletic ability.
"He would do a good job getting in there last year and using his athleticism to get around guys and do his job," Richardson said. "He is still doing that, plus he is a senior now. He is doing a good job with all his assignments using his athleticism, his nastiness and his tenacity to just get around guys and make plays.
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"That is where being a D-lineman last year helps. He is not a big guy, but you don’t need to be a big guy to be nasty and get the job done."
It began from the season opener in Lucas Oil Stadium. Harrison led 14-7 at halftime, but Hedden (along with Richardson) helped spearhead a second-half shutout. Hedden finished with 10 tackles. A week later against McCutcheon, he'd rack up a career-high 11 with two sacks.
He's one of the headliners for a defense allowing less than 14 points per game for the top-ranked team in Class 3A.
"Going into Harrison, the first second drives I was a little bit nervous but I feel like I have helped a lot," Hedden said. "Me and Matthew on the team together have 114 tackles. That is just us two. It’s not all just me, it’s him too. He is one of the biggest aspects of our defense. I think us two working together brings it all together."
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
Cass (5-1) at West Lafayette (6-0)
Time: 7 p.m.
Sagarin ratings: Cass 49.95, West Lafayette 81.86
Series history: West Lafayette has won 16 of 21 meetings, including the last two after winning 42-0 last season.
About Cass: The Kings average 23.3 points and allow 10.3. ... Cass is ranked ninth in the Class 2A coaches poll. ... The Kings have allowed more than 14 points in a game just once, last week's 28-6 loss to Western. ... Stat leaders - Passing: LJ Hillis (46-80, 484 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT). ... Rushing: Haden McClain (106 car., 708 yards, 8 TD), Cooper Frey (74 car., 342 yards, 4 TD). ... Receiving: Tyson Good (9 rec., 140 yards, 2 TD), Luke Chambers (9 rec., 104 yards, 1 TD). ... Tackles: McClain (28), Dalton Lowe (27). ... Sacks: Keaton Lewellen (4), Chambers (3). ... Interceptions: Good (4). ... Kicking: Chambers (3-5 PAT).
About West Lafayette: The Red Devils average 45 points and allow 13.7. ... West Lafayette is ranked first in the Class 3A Associated Press and coaches polls. ... The Red Devils have now allowed more than 21 points in a game this season. ... Stat leaders - Passing: Max Mullis (88-127, 1,180 yards, 14 TD, 3 INT). ... Rushing: Mullis (49 car., 468 yards, 13 TD), Dawson Martin (60 car., 298 yards, 2 TD). ... Receiving: Liam Burton (41 rec., 445 yards, 4 TD), Wyatt Curl (6 rec., 192 yards, 2 TD). ... Tackles: Valin Hedden (57), Matthew Richardson (57). ... Sacks: Hedden (5), Chase Taylor (2). ... Interceptions: Curl (3), Michael Lynch (3). ... Kicking: Niko Roumbakis (30-34 PAT, 1-1 FG, long of 28).
Coach Fry's take: "With how much respect we have for (Hall of Fame coach) Scott (Mannering) and now his son (Clayton) is coaching and Scott is assisting, it’s a sideline full of Mannerings, which is a great thing for Lewis Cass. When Scott was there the first time, they had 100 kids out and they had it rolling and they are getting it back there."
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: IHSAA football: Valin Hedden leads West Lafayette high school defense
