ELLETTSVILLE — Nobody moves until Carter Hayden says so.
Edgewood’s senior center is in charge of the cadence this year, barking out blocking assignments, getting everyone set, and snapping the ball on his command to quarterback Braylon Linerode.
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“He enjoys that a lot,” Edgewood football coach Scott Fischer said. “Because it’s like a foot race. If I get to say, ‘Go’, I’ve got a little bit of an advantage.”
They’re the kind of responsibilities the four-year varsity starter has earned.
“He’s definitely been through the wars on Friday nights for four years,” Fisher said. “He does everything for us in terms of communication.”
The irony is that Hayden once fancied himself as a 5-10, 225-pound freshman, as a potential high school quarterback.
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“It got to a point in junior high, we lost a couple guys, and we had low numbers anyway,” Hayden said. “And I get thrown in there. I enjoyed it. Had a lot of fun with it.
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“But part of me thought I’d set myself up to play quarterback in high school, and then I come in and there’s a spot where I can get on the field immediately. That’s where I wanted to step into.”
That spot was in the middle of Edgewood’s offensive line.
“I went in there and I had to grow up quick,” Hayden said. “I was 14 years old and playing against kids a lot older than me, veterans on the field. I had to learn technique first, especially being undersized a little bit. I had to up my footwork.”
Edgewood’s Carter Hayden (56) and Lincoln Getts (53) bring down Beech Grove’s Bishop Moore (15) during the football game at Edgewood on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
Hayden multi-sport athlete
That wasn’t a problem for an athlete who plays varsity baseball, manning third base, and has been a starter in the post for the JV basketball team.
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“I like staying busy,” Hayden said as Edgewood prepped for their sectional opener at Scottsburg on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. (WGCL 98.7 FM; WCLS 97.7 FM).
“Definitely what we call a big skill guy,” Fisher said. “He can throw the football a little bit. He can punt. He’s got great hands. He’s the middle guy on the hands team. He was an eighth-grade quarterback and looks just like he does now.”
Now listed at 40 pounds heavier than he was four years ago, Hayden still moves well as a three-sport athlete. That should give college coaches something to think about. But it was more than just a resume enhancer.
He loves the camaraderie that comes from team sports and the idea that teammates pushing each other er individuals makes the whole team better. That’s something he’s seen happen this season in football.
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“I’ve always been big on multisport athletes,” Hayden said. “I think it’s important to be able to learn the balance with school and athletics early, especially for later in life.
“I have a lot of buddies who I play a lot of sports with. Those friendships, that’s the stuff that brings me back. Baseball is all about failure, so it’s really good on the mental side to really challenge myself. And with teams, too, I don’t play any individual sports. So I like working together and getting through all those challenges.”
Edgewood’s Grant Coffey (1) waits for the snap from Carter Hayden (56) during the football game between Edgewood and Mitchell at Edgewood on Friday, August 18, 2023.
Entrenched on the front lines
Hayden has held up well through all the challenges, though he was sidelined a bit with an AC joint issue last season. That first season was tough, but his approach was basically, “Bring it on,” with the idea that the lessons would be learned the hard way.
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“I kind of knew I was going to get beat up every night,” Hayden said. “So it was overcoming that mentally and really starting to trust things that were out of my control. Understanding this is all part of it, playing varsity football as a freshman.
“My IQ bumped up a lot being able to learn and see those things as a freshman and watching film. That’s when I started separating myself from other people.”
In his second year, Fischer came on board and earned his trust as well. This year, he’s also helping out at defensive tackle. The offense is moving the ball better than it has in years, and he has 26 tackles, 3½ for loss, 1½ sacks, and eight quarterback hurries for a 5-3 squad.
“I think Coach Fischer’s done a great job putting us in situations where if we put the work in, we’re going to succeed,” Hayden said. “That with everyone else getting in the weight room and working together, I think that’s been super important.”
Edgewood third baseman Carter Hayden (12) fields the ball during the baseball game against Indian Creek at Edgewood on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
‘Touchdown, Mustangs!’
Hayden’s football journey is just part of who he is.
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“He both sides of the ball,” Fischer said. “He’s part of our student-athletic council. He does PA for the middle school games. He’s the most popular kid at our youth camp every year.
“He’s a great leader on the field and off the field.”
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His sunny personality is infectious.
“I always try to lighten things up a little bit,” Hayden said. “There’s times you have to get on people, but also times you have to let them understand it’s a game. You fall and you get back up again and keep working hard.
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“I’ve always prided myself to be someone can ask question to, so I put in the time early to understand what’s going on, so I can help my teammates out.”
Hayden hopes to have a future in college football, as he talks with Wabash and other schools. Before he goes, he wants to ensure that everything this senior class has done to reignite Edgewood football is passed along, which explains the enthusiastic welcome he receives during those youth camps.
“I love the community and I love all the kids and knowing they’re going to be like me someday,” he said. “I love how we can go out and put them in the best situations possible, getting them in the game early, learning things not a lot of people learn until they get to high school.
“It’s just important to continue the culture.”
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Edgewood football’s Carter Hayden a center worth paying attention to
