2024 TribHSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Aliquippa’s Tiqwai Hayes

By: Amani Clark-Bey
Sunday, August 4, 2024 | 8:45 PM

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Four-star Penn State commit Tiqwai “Tikey” Hayes is expecting to ride out as a back-to-back state champion at Aliquippa.

Hayes said another state championship is the only thing on his mind for his senior season.

“Another state championship is the expectation,” Hayes said. “Win states, or it’s a bust. That’s the standard we have to live up to. That’s the standard we set in my high school career.”

In his junior season, Hayes collected 2,137 yards on 242 carries with 26 touchdowns while averaging 8.8 yards per carry.

The Quips are coming off a dominant season, winning the state championship against Dallas, 60-14.

New coach Vashawn Patrick is at the forefront of Quip practices. Former head coach Mike Warfield stepped down but is still a strong presence around the program.

“Coach Mike is still watching over practices, but nothing has really changed,” Hayes said. “(Patrick) is still our conditioning coach and one of our strength coaches, nothing really changed.”

The 6-foot, 207-pound running back is a strong downhill runner who will deliver punishment to any defender standing in his way. He also sees cutback lanes efficiently and is able to hurdle defenders with ease.

“I’m gonna make the right cut and make the right read,” Hayes said. “I think that’s what makes me better than a lot of guys.”

Hayes expects to make some noise at the collegiate level next season at Happy Valley.

“I’m looking to accomplish new things and set bigger goals and higher standards for myself,” Hayes said. “I’m ready for life to start, for life to really start, no one is really there with me. Just me.”

Hayes has been using college workouts to prepare his body for the transition in December.

“I’ve been doing college workouts to get my body ready for Penn State because I’m not working out for high school anymore. I’m working out for the next level,” Hayes said. “In December I’m going to be a college kid.

“I have been working my body out way more than I ever have.”

Hayes expects to graduate after the state championship game and start his freshman season at Penn State early in December.

Hayes said the strongly devoted program is what drew him to Penn State.

“That program is like our program,” Hayes said. “You want it to feel more comfortable and like family so you can produce and play better. Aliquippa is like my mom’s side, and Penn State is like my dad’s, very family orientated.”

Hayes said his high school football memories he can reflect on in the future are what he loves. Some of Hayes favorite memories at Aliquippa were the wins and hard practices.

“Being able to get older and tell one of your teammates you remember their interception or winning states are the memories that you will always remember.” Hayes said.

Tiqwai Hayes

Aliquippa

Senior

6-foot/207 pounds

RB/DB

Penn State Commit

2023 statistics: 2,137 yards on 242 carries and 26 touchdowns averaging 8.8 yards per carry.

Tags: Aliquippa