Sloan, McFadden set Hillsdale football records and chase more history
Seniors Owen Sloan and Hayden McFadden have already broken multiple school and area marks, but their biggest goal is leading the Falcons to back-to-back state appearances.
Hillsdale senior Owen Sloan has become the program’s all-time rushing leader with 3,476 yards, 47 rushing touchdowns and multiple school records, crediting his teammates and offensive line for helping him reach historic milestones.Josh McWilliams
That’s the question, as Hillsdale seniors Owen Sloan and Hayden McFadden have already rewritten some school records and continue to do so, along with area records.
In Jeromesville, and for sports purists, it’s a little crazy what Sloan and McFadden have done and could potentially do.
After week four, Sloan is sitting at 3,476 rushing yards for 17th all-time. His 47 rushing touchdowns are ninth all-time, 49 total scores are tied for 13th all-time, 300 total points are 17th all-time and 3,634 all-purpose yards are fourth all-time (unofficially). All are also school records.
Right up there beside him is McFadden with 100 receptions, which is 14th all-time. His 31 receiving touchdowns are tied for second all-time, and his 2,228 receiving yards put him sixth all-time. Again, much like Sloan, all of the above are school records, and something more impressive, McFadden has the chance to become the area’s first-ever 3,000-yard career receiver. The current record holder is former Triway standout Tyler Davis, who had 2,842 yards in 2018-20.
Joining the duo for good effect is placekicker A.J. Brown, who has 158 PATs, which is second all-time, and his 182 career points are currently fourth all-time for kickers.
“Records aren’t broken individually,” said Sloan. “It comes with a good team, great teammates, and we’ve had both for the past few years.”
At the end of August, in week one, Sloan bypassed Corbin Mager's 3,089 career rushing yards to become the program’s all-time leader. He already holds the program record for touchdowns and rushing yards in a single season and career touchdowns.
“Corbin was a great worker and running back,” said Sloan. “I always looked up to him because he was a great runner. Knowing him, it means a lot, but I couldn’t have done without the team and playing behind a great offensive line.”
McFadden, who set the school record for receiving touchdowns and receptions for a single season last year, kept it rolling this fall. He bypassed Andrew Wolfe for career catches (99) and yards (1,464) and already owns the school record for career receiving scores.
Hillsdale senior Hayden McFadden has rewritten the school’s record books with 100 career receptions, 31 receiving touchdowns and over 2,200 yards, putting him on pace to become the area’s first 3,000-yard receiver.Josh McWilliams
“He was one of the fastest receivers that we’ve ever had,” said McFadden about Wolfe. “He was so quick off the line, his routes were clean and his dad is our receivers coach now. He talks about how he was and how I am, and that’s awesome.”
As for setting the records?
“Football is a team sport,” said McFadden. “Getting a record is cool, and your name might be up there for a while, but you can’t get there without the team. It really comes down to everyone doing their part in the game.”
More importantly, beyond the records, it’s about setting a team record for back-to-back trips to state. That’s the ultimate dream record, and the intensity has been jacked up this fall as Sloan and McFadden look to help set the ultimate mark.
“The intensity has been raised; our numbers tripled in our offseason workouts,” said Sloan. “Everyone has stepped it up, and it’s showing this year. It's a big reason why we make some of the plays we make. Everyone’s goals have gotten bigger, and the expectations have gotten higher.”
“It was pretty cool to get there last year,” added McFadden. “But that outcome has motivated us all offseason, and the entire time has been dedicated to getting better. We don’t want to have the same outcome as last year.”
