2025 Interview with Michael Hatfield, Grove City Christian

 

Michael Hatfield

Grove City Christian

Def End, offensive tackle

2026

6’4.5”, 245 lbs

Jersey Number: 75

Awards won or earned: Awards: All-League Honorable Mention, All-District Honorable Mention

Hudl Link: http://hudl.com/v/2QYngV

Post a small recap of last season with personal highlights and any other big moments you have and/or memories you have from last season, whether it be a game, the bus ride to or from the game, or any other thing that sticks out.

Recap of Last Season: Last season was definitely fun but also challenging for me. I unfortunately broke my arm during Week 8, which hindered me from being out on the field, but I feel that I left it all out there before I got hurt. Overall, I had about 15-20 pancakes while only giving up 3 QB hurries.

What are your goals for the season?

What are my goals for the season? My goal for the season is to become a better leader vocally and take freshmen under my wing and show them the ropes of being a student athlete but also being an absolute dude on the field. Most importantly, leading them to Jesus. I want to have 50-plus pancakes this year with no QB sacks given up. I also want to achieve an All-League, All-District, and All-Ohio award, and most importantly, Mid-State League Lineman of the Year.

What goals are you setting for the team?

What goals do I want to set for my team? I want our team to go undefeated, leave nothing out there on the field, and strive to do their best when our backs are against the wall in the 4th quarter.

Which league foe do you feel is your rival?

Which League foe do I feel is your rival? I would definitely have to go with Fairfield Christian Academy. It’s always been an exciting matchup between us and them, and we pretty much go back and forth in our series, so it’ll be another fun matchup to close out my senior season.

Which road stadium that you have played in has had the best overall atmosphere?

Which road game stadium that I played in has the best overall? Fairfield Christian Academy because they recently got a new field and their fans were excited, and our fans were excited because it was a rivalry matchup that we ended up winning 49-0, so it was fun beating them on their new field.

Which road stadium is the toughest to play in?

Which road stadium is the toughest to play in? Mount Gilead, for sure. Their student section, the fans, and the stadium itself had this great atmosphere, and their fans loved getting into the game with their players, and it was hard to keep focus because we got down on ourselves there, and we did not play our best.

Defensive end or offensive tackle: which one do you believe you are better at?

Defensive or Offensive Tackle: Which one do you believe you are better at? I think I am better at offensive tackle because I have started on offense longer and have better drive and experience for it.

Would you share with the readers some of the camps that you have attended along with the biggest thing you have learned at those camps?

Some camps I have been to: I have been to a couple of ID prospect showcases around the Columbus area, and I thought going against local competition would give me a better chance to better my technique and strength. Denison was a great camp to be at because there was definitely energy with the coaches but also the players that were there. And just yesterday I was at Miami (OH) mega camp, where there were some talented players that I got to go against to prepare me for my senior season.

What did you think of the Denison campus?

What did I think about the Denison campus? I thought that Denison was beautiful and how they describe the definition of what it means to be a student athlete. The university is beautiful, and the classes help better prepare college students for the future to have better success in life. The football team brings a lot of energy to the field and prepares itself for war, which I love about that!

What are you hoping to get out of the scrimmage you guys have set on August 8th? The Jets have an outstanding QB.

What am I hoping to get out of the scrimmage on August 8th? I am hoping to get to see some dudes from other teams being the best they've got because that’s how I am only going to get better as we roll into the regular season. I don’t really know much about Northeastern’s QB, but I do know that we have to bring our best to the table during the scrimmage.

What has been your biggest moment as a football player?

What has been my biggest moment as a player?

My biggest moment would have to be sophomore year against Fairfield Christian. I got a flag for a personal foul, and I was angry, but I made up for it by getting a sack. In that game, I had almost 5 QB pressures, 1 sack, and a fumble recovery. Even though we lost 17-14 that year, that was my biggest moment.

If you are invited to play in any of the all-star games after the season, will you?

If I am invited to any all-star games, would I go? Yes, I would definitely go. I got invited to the Hawaii Tiki Bowl a few months ago, which will be here in December, so that will be fun for me.

If you are hearing from any colleges, would you share one or two with the readers?

Some colleges that have reached out to me: Denison has reached out to me. I have been talking with Coach Mark Butler, the O-line coach, and he expects hard-nosed, smash-mouth football from the O-line, which reminds me of my O-line coach right now, Andrew McCampbell. Anderson has also reached out to me. I haven’t been to their campus yet, but from what I hear, their campus is nice, and they are also a faith-based school. So that can help me draw closer to God.

Have you been to any games at Ohio State?

Have I been to any OSU games? Yes, I have been to a ton of OSU games with my dad.

What is your go-to snack?

Go-to snack: Flamin' Hot Doritos

What is your favorite class?

Favorite Class: Math

 Follow me on X @HEARTLANDFAN15