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This is what everybody, Nick Hall included, expected from the Bellmont senior after the splash he made at last year’s state championship game. It just might not have been in this particular position.
Hall, who scored all four of the Braves’ touchdowns in the 28-14 win over Evansville Memorial in Class 3A state title game last November, has overcome a groin injury that delayed his season and also has moved to quarterback the last couple of games to give the offense a spark.
“It is definitely different than the slot,” Hall said of his previous position. “It is a lot more responsibility and reads at quarterback and making sure everybody is on the same page. So far, it has gone pretty well. I like it a lot more than I thought I would.”
Hall was the backup quarterback to the graduated Joel Bone the last two years while also playing running back.
“It was to get a little spark into it,” Bellmont co-coach Greg Meyer said of moving Hall to quarterback. “Nick probably could have been the quarterback at the beginning of the season if he hadn’t gotten injured.”
While rushing for 1,139 yards and 12 touchdowns, Hall showed off his arm last week in a 30-0 victory in the sectional semifinals over Heritage. On five attempts, Hall threw three touchdown passes.
“He knows the offense, and he gives us an extra threat with the athletic ability he has,” Meyer said. “He also gives us that extra threat in the passing game and you put him on the edge and with his reads, not everyone can key on Daniel (Meyer).”
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Hall is simply happy to even be on the field after suffering a groin injury playing summer baseball that caused him to miss the Braves’ scrimmage and season opener. Eventually, he visited physical therapist Andy Vogel in Bluffton and saw almost immediate results.
“We are starting to see the old Nick Hall come back,” Meyer said.
Hall said he has been around 100 percent healthy for the last two to three games.
“At the beginning of the season, it was really frustrating,” Hall said. “I was going to play through it, but during two-a-days it wouldn’t let me extend my leg all the way out and gave me a lot of problems.
“As the season has gone on, it has gotten stronger and stronger. Then I ended up going to Andy Vogel, and he gave me some treatments, and it helped a lot. It is sore sometimes, but it is OK.”
After beating their first two postseason opponents by a combined 80-0, the defending 3A state champion Braves (8-3) take on their biggest test in No. 4 Eastbrook (11-0).
“My goal coming into the season was to lead our team back to Lucas Oil (Stadium),” Hall said. “As a senior, you want to win the last game of your season. That was my biggest personal goal coming in.”
Some things never change.
