Caleb Hall Aims for Consistency as Clay-Battelle’s Rising Star

Caleb Hall, a sophomore running back for the Clay-Battelle High School football team, is focused on enhancing his performance and building consistency as the 2025 season approaches. After making a significant impact last season under first-year head coach Aaron LaPoe, Hall aims to further develop his skills and team dynamics during the offseason.

Hall attributes much of his improvement to time spent in the weight room and bonding with teammates. “Doing that has definitely made all of us better,” he remarked. “Getting in the weight room and seeing the progress from everyone is motivating. I am most excited about how our team chemistry is coming together, especially with Coach LaPoe and everyone having a better understanding of what it truly means to be a team.”

Impressive Freshman Performance

Last season, Hall emerged as a key player for the Cee-Bees, delivering strong performances that showcased his abilities. He rushed for 97 yards and scored two touchdowns against Tygarts Valley in a narrow one-point defeat. Following that, he recorded 91 yards and two additional touchdowns on just nine carries in a decisive 35-13 victory over Hancock. Hall concluded his freshman campaign with a notable effort of 136 yards against Magnolia, despite a close 14-12 loss.

Reflecting on his success, Hall stated, “It all starts with my line. If it weren’t for those guys, our offense wouldn’t go anywhere. I am especially grateful for them for my success and also for Coach LaPoe helping me understand my assignments better and getting a better feel for the position.”

Building on Legacy

Interestingly, Hall’s journey mirrors that of Coach LaPoe, who holds the record for the most rushing yards and attempts in Clay-Battelle’s history. LaPoe began his own career in the backfield as a freshman under then-head coach Ryan Wilson. “I was actually telling the guys that story the other day,” LaPoe recalled with a chuckle. “Caleb is just a true running back. He can make his cuts without losing speed or balance, and he has playmaking ability and vision.”

To enhance his speed, Hall participated in track for the first time last spring, alongside his commitment to strength training. LaPoe has noted Hall’s dedication to improving his performance, stating, “He’s been as committed as anyone on the team.” Despite being only a sophomore, Hall has already begun to take on a leadership role. LaPoe further commented, “We obviously have our senior guys like Braden Ponceroff and Kooper Statler who are the leaders we all know. But that’s also the role I see Caleb playing at times too.”

As the team looks to the upcoming season, Hall expresses confidence in their development. “If we are consistent as a team with what we do every day, and do it the right way, we will reach our goals,” he said. His personal ambitions include focusing on health and recovery while aiming to build on last season’s achievements. “I want to help my team win games however I can,” he concluded.