From the Bench: All-State to All-Conference - An End to Hayden Moore's Football Days that May Not End
By Jeff Toquinto on November 24, 2024 from Sports Blog
Glenville State College Coach Mike Kellar remembers the first time he saw Bridgeport High alum Hayden Moore during his playing days with the Indians. It was during the COVID-shortened season when Moore landed on the GSC recruiting radar.
The date was Sept. 17, 2020, at Fairmont’s East-West Stadium with Kellar and veteran line coach Rick Trickett in attendance at a 44-33 win vs. Fairmont Senior. Here is the thing: they were not there to see Moore.
“We were there to see (Devin Hill) who ended up going to West Virginia State,” said Kellar. “Hayden was playing one of the safety spots
and we immediately could tell he was a good player.”
and we immediately could tell he was a good player.”
That led to Kellar contacting then BHS assistant Coach Jed Reed. Kellar and Reed were friends, leading to the conversation.
“Jed assured us we would like him, and that he thought he’d be a good addition for any team,” said Kellar. “After that, me and Coach Trickett went to Jed’s house and met with Hayden and Devin, watched a football game, and it all clicked with Hayden.”
It clicked to the benefit of Glenville State University. And it clicked to the benefit of Hayden Moore. How it happened, however, probably did not go the way anyone scripted, which we will return to shortly.
This week, Moore finished up his college career for the Pioneers. GSU finished the year at 7-4 with a five-game winning streak and a runner-up finish in the conference.
The 2021 BHS graduate, who started every game his senior season, played more than just a casual part in that. He was good enough that he was named this week to the All-Mountain East Conference Second Team.
For those wondering, here is where the script changed from Moore’s 2020 prep season. It was not that Moore was not a quality prep football player. He was. In fact, he played a key part in the Indians’ last state championship in 2019 and was on the 8-1 COVID-shortened year where BHS was technically the Class AAA runner-up.
Moore earned Class AAA All-State second team defensive back honors. You can’t do that without ability. His team knew it. His coaching staff knew it. Based on his second team honors, media and opposing coaches knew it too.
Kellar and Trickett also knew it. But there was one thing. Moore’s 6’1, 170-plus pound frame featuring long arms and legs coupled with his speed was good enough to play in the secondary at the high school level. The question Kellar had was whether the speed would translate to the college level.
Kellar never got a direct answer. As it turned out, the answer was to move him to linebacker and have him put on weight.
“He told me the plan was to move me to linebacker, and it didn’t alter my decision at all,” said Moore. “I trusted Coach Kellar and if it was going to help the team, I was all for it.”
Did it work? Roughly 50 pounds added, a ton of game starts, and all-conference honors later, the answer to that is direct, and it is yes.
“The key was putting on weight, which was something I had never done before. I would eat two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a day and two protein shakes,” Moore said. “I also was working out twice a day and getting a lot of cardio. It worked, and it took a while for it to all turn into muscle. In fact, I finally felt good with everything by my junior year.”
Even before his 2023 junior year, Moore was seeing action. The player that had 50 tackles, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries his senior year at BHS in the secondary, got his first linebacker start in 2022 against West Virginia Wesleyan College. And that came after seeing action even as a freshman.
“There were some injuries, and we were light in the linebacker room, so my sophomore year was a real eye-opening season. In week two, I was thrown to the wolves, and it helped me and the team out eventually,” said Moore.
As a junior, Moore started on and off. As a senior, he started all 11 games. Even more critical, he was calling out the defense for the Pioneers.
“It felt good to have that confidence of the coaches. The big thing was with signaling the plays is it helped my confidence big time,” Moore said. “If I knew what the safeties and the line had to be doing then I knew I know what I’m doing.”
Kellar said the play he got from Moore was everything a coach could ask for. He said the fact he transformed himself into that player makes it even better.
“If you would see him, you aren’t going to see any fat on him. He’s the right kind of guy coaches want because they’re willing to put the work in, willing put in the elbow grease,” Kellar said. “The important thing is the fact he did it away from Glenville. He trained all summer with Wes Brown and was always working out. You have a few, but it’s a bit rare to see someone dedicated to their craft all year.”
There were a few other things Moore did that set himself apart. One, Kellar said, was his high football IQ, which led to him to be one of 
two calling out the defense. The second is something that really provides coaches with peace of mind.
two calling out the defense. The second is something that really provides coaches with peace of mind.
“I can tell you I never had a sleepless night worrying about what Hayden was doing. It’s hard to get into trouble in Glenville because you’ve got to want it,” said Kellar with a chuckle. “It wouldn’t matter where he was. He’s not going to be trouble whether here or anywhere else in the future.”
The future may include more football. Moore will be graduating in the spring with a degree in sports management. Before that, he’ll be helping assist with Glenville State’s Spring football session.
“Right now, I’m looking at possibly coming back as a graduate assistant on the defensive side and getting my master’s degree,” said Moore. “Coach Kellar has talked to me about it, and suggested spring would be a great trial run. Part of me wants to come back and help the team get a conference title.”
This year that did not happen. The key reason was a slow start and a daunting non-conference schedule that led to a 2-4 mark before winning the final five games for a runner-up finish.
“I wish we could have got it done,” said Moore. “Considering how we started, I’m really proud of the team.”
It is a team he could still be a part of. Kellar said the opportunity will be there.
“Spring will be where we’ll see if he wants to go in that direction,” said Kellar. “It’s not for everyone, but he’s got the intangibles needed if he feels that it is what he wants to pursue.”
The intangibles, said Moore, were planted at BHS. He didn’t play his freshman and sophomore years before getting some snaps as a junior. By the time he was a senior, he was playing on both sides of the ball – in fact, he finished his senior year with 554 rushing yards
with 11 touchdowns and caught five passes for 132 yards and two more scores.
with 11 touchdowns and caught five passes for 132 yards and two more scores.
“I came to college expecting the same opportunity that I got in high school,” said Moore. “That’s what happened.”
Moore thanked all of his Bridgeport coaches for the platform that set him up for college. He thanked Coach Reed for the introduction to the GSU staff and former Bridgeport assistant coach Adam King for always pushing him to be better.
“There was a big difference from my freshman year at Bridgeport to my senior year, and those guys were a big part of it,” Moore, who said he’ll be dropping weight to get back to around 205 pounds in the future.
There was also a difference at Glenville.
“He came in quiet,” said Kellar. “He left as a more vocal team leader.”
He leaves a sport he has played since he was six and lived in Virginia. The same sport he played when he moved here and went immediately to the BHS freshman program. The playing days are over, but the career may not be.
“It’s super sad to see it end, but I don’t regret it because I put a lot of work into football and football gave me a lot back,” he said. “I know my playing days are over. We’ll have to see if coaching is next.”
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Hayden Moore in the Class AAA playoffs against Washington in a 55-7 win in the Class AAA playoffs, while in the bottom image he is shown during the 2020 season with then assistant Coach Tyler Phares. All middle images are of Hayden Moore during his time with the Pioneers. BHS file photos are by Ben Queen Photography, while GSU image are courtesy of Hayden Moore.
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