Former Arrow kicker has stellar year at Northwest CC

By Danny C. Davis

The Clinton High Arrows have a long history of place kickers excelling at the next college level. Hayden Wolfe is the latest to joint that group.

Wolfe was the kicker and punter in 2022 and 2023 for CHS. His senior year, he earned a spot as the Mississippi kicker in the 2023 Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game.

He signed with Northwest Community College (NWCC) in Senatobia earlier this year.

Wolfe helped lead the Rangers not only to the Mississippi JUCO-Community College Championship, but also a spot in a national playoff game at Council Bluffs, Iowa, against Iowa Western.

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His season at NWCC could not have gotten off to a better start. In the Rangers’ season opener, he kicked a 52-yard field goal in the rain against Pearl River Community College. It was the longest field goal kicked in Ranger football history. He also punted in the season opener five times for a 46.2-yard average with no returns. Following the opening game, Wolfe was named MACCC special teams player of the week.

The Rangers lost the opening game, but then reeled off ten straight wins, with the help of Wolfe’s kicking and punting.

He also kicked the game-winning field goal against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the opening round of the MACCC playoffs.

For the season, the freshman kicker from Clinton made twelve of fourteen field goals. He was six of eight on field goals attempted between 40-49 yards. Wolfe finished the season having made 87% of field goals attempted. That was the best nationally in Division 1 NJCAA. He also punted fifty times on the season for a 40.42 yard average. That included a season long 60-yard punt.

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He was also named MACCC special teams player of the week in the MACCC championship game at East Central CC by making 2 for 2 on field goals and punting 4 times with a 40.3 yard average.

Wolfe said his dream was always to be a college football kicker, and Northwest was a great place to start his journey.

“I thank God for giving me a chance to play college football,” said Wolfe. “I felt like we got off to a really good start in my first game, with a Northwest program record 52-yard field goal.”
“Our operation this year was really good for kicking,” said Wolfe. “Our long snapper from Northwest Rankin High School, Joey Colella, was solid all season long; and my holder, Jack Wright from Warren Central, always gave me something to kick. Those guys really gave me confidence when the coaches called my number.” “One of the reasons I chose to go to Northwest CC was because they are not afraid to kick field goals. It seems that they always have the most field goal attempts on a season in the MACCC.” Said Wolfe,” I really need some good recruiting tape for the next level, and I feel like I was able to get that this year.” “I am excited to see how God leads me to enjoy this game for the next few years. I give Him all the glory!”