Cyclone Football Spotlight: Hayden Soma

Cyclone Football Spotlight: Hayden Soma –

(8-14-24) – Ending the season with a loss is never how your want to go out.

It was even tougher for Harlan Community, the defending 3A state champions going into the postseason, as they came up a yard shy from extending their first-round contest against district rival Creston and ultimately lost by just 6 points to end their season.

Cyclone sack leader Hayden Soma definitely didn’t like it.

Now Soma is excited to start the new season after the rough way it ended last year.

“That last game of the season, definitely left a bitter taste in our mouth and we're just ready to get back after it.”

Soma has shown his leadership in all sports. Whether calling a game behind the plate in baseball or leading the student section in cheers, he doesn’t mind being the center of attention. But as a leader, he wants the underclassmen to follow his example.

“I think an ideal leader leads by example. I mean, you can talk-the-talk, but when it comes to walk-the-walk, I think a good leader should be able to walk-the-walk whenever they're called upon.”

Soma dominated on the defensive line for the Cyclones last year, recording 26.5 tackles on the defensive line, including a team leading 4 sacks… where he’s brought a Mark Gastineau-like enthusiasm that’s often a spark for his teammates.

Soma has also been solid on the offensive line and he credits a former teammate for his success at the position.

“My first year playing O-line as a sophomore, I got to play next to Gunner Schmitz, probably one of the best O lineman in the state at the time and would still be now. He just knew the game unlike anyone else, and he took me under his wing taught me how to play, taught me O-line, all I needed to know about it, and I think if it wasn't for Gunner, I wouldn't be where I was at today.”

It led Soma to pass his information along to his teammates, like Owen Neve.

“(Owen’s) going to be great this season. He's been making really good steps in camp and I'm excited to see what he can do this year.”

Soma is looking forward to playing out his senior season at Harlan Community and knows they’ll get a good look at who they are with an early contest against rival Lewis Central.

“That one, I think that's a really good test to start off the year for us because I mean it's going to tell us where we're at and what we need to improve on.”

Soma and the Cyclones will begin their season August 30th against the Titans at Merrill Field.

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