Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
Lamar quarterback Witt Haggard looks at Friday night’s game with the Simpson Cougars with a little more urgency than any other game. Not only is it the biggest game of the season as the Raiders try to avenge a week ten loss to the Cougars, but the north AA state title is at stake. On the surface that is the storyline but beneath the surface another realization enters in. The end of a successful high school football career is near for Haggard and while he was part of a 2007 AAA state championship team an AA title would be a most fitting way for an ending.
Witt has been at Lamar since the fourth grade where he first suited up to play football but the quarterback position isn’t where he started. Haggard was a fullback that initial season but by the time he suited up in the sixth grade quarterback would be his fit.
In Haggard’s freshman season he joined the varsity squad as soon as the junior varsity season wrapped up. One of Witt’s teachers also happened to be the varsity football coach at Lamar. Head coach Mac Barnes began working with Witt that freshman season. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Coach Barnes. He was one of my teachers and started working with me a lot in my freshman year,” said Haggard.
In Haggard’s sophomore season he saw limited play but managed to gain valuable experience and scored three touchdowns via the pass and two on the ground. Haggard’s biggest highlight of his sophomore season came off the football field. The sophomore was named to the All-MPSA first team as a catcher.
In 2008 the quarterback position at Lamar was all Haggard’s. In his first year as a starter Witt helped guide the Raiders to a 9-3 record in AAA. After being groomed by coach Barnes the junior seemed to step right into the position and hit the ground running. Haggard passed for 3,561 yards and 31 touchdowns his junior season. He had an incredible 74% pass completion rate and managed to pick up 334 yards and 4 touchdowns rushing. For his efforts Haggard was named to the All-MPSA
first team.
His senior season has been as effective as his junior stint. Haggard has compiled 3,332 yards passing and 804 yards rushing through twelve games. What’s more impressive is the 43 touchdown passes he has thrown to only 3 interceptions. Throw in the 14 rushing touchdowns and Haggard has a staggering 57 with one or possibly two games remaining.
This Friday night Haggard hopes the outcome will be different than in week ten. “The first time we played we came in with the #1 ranking and had a big bulls-eye target on us. They really surprised us defensively then, but I feel like we’ll play them much better this time,” said Haggard.
As with most senior athletes reflection sets in as the season winds down. I asked the 6'2" senior a few questions about his time at Lamar.
*Favorite sport; football or baseball?
“Football”
*Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
“My mom”
*Who has been your biggest influence athletically?
“Coach Barnes. He has really pushed me to be the best I can be and has taught me so much”
*What has been your biggest frustration this season?
“The loss to Simpson, not being able to play defense and throwing those three interceptions”
*What do you hope to be doing this time next year?
“Playing football somewhere”
Witt Haggard exemplifies what a student-athlete is all about. Not only has Haggard excelled on the field but the senior is an honor student and maintains a 3.5 GPA. He has scored a 24 on the ACT and is scheduled to take it again. Witt is also an Academic Society Beta Club member and Mu Alpha Theta.
Haggard's numbers:
Passing totals
7,049 yards
77 tds
Rushing totals
1,200 yards +
20 tds
Touchdowns
97
Record as a starter
20-4
Witt has been at Lamar since the fourth grade where he first suited up to play football but the quarterback position isn’t where he started. Haggard was a fullback that initial season but by the time he suited up in the sixth grade quarterback would be his fit.
In Haggard’s freshman season he joined the varsity squad as soon as the junior varsity season wrapped up. One of Witt’s teachers also happened to be the varsity football coach at Lamar. Head coach Mac Barnes began working with Witt that freshman season. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Coach Barnes. He was one of my teachers and started working with me a lot in my freshman year,” said Haggard.
In Haggard’s sophomore season he saw limited play but managed to gain valuable experience and scored three touchdowns via the pass and two on the ground. Haggard’s biggest highlight of his sophomore season came off the football field. The sophomore was named to the All-MPSA first team as a catcher.
In 2008 the quarterback position at Lamar was all Haggard’s. In his first year as a starter Witt helped guide the Raiders to a 9-3 record in AAA. After being groomed by coach Barnes the junior seemed to step right into the position and hit the ground running. Haggard passed for 3,561 yards and 31 touchdowns his junior season. He had an incredible 74% pass completion rate and managed to pick up 334 yards and 4 touchdowns rushing. For his efforts Haggard was named to the All-MPSA
first team.His senior season has been as effective as his junior stint. Haggard has compiled 3,332 yards passing and 804 yards rushing through twelve games. What’s more impressive is the 43 touchdown passes he has thrown to only 3 interceptions. Throw in the 14 rushing touchdowns and Haggard has a staggering 57 with one or possibly two games remaining.
This Friday night Haggard hopes the outcome will be different than in week ten. “The first time we played we came in with the #1 ranking and had a big bulls-eye target on us. They really surprised us defensively then, but I feel like we’ll play them much better this time,” said Haggard.
As with most senior athletes reflection sets in as the season winds down. I asked the 6'2" senior a few questions about his time at Lamar.
*Favorite sport; football or baseball?
“Football”
*Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
“My mom”
*Who has been your biggest influence athletically?
“Coach Barnes. He has really pushed me to be the best I can be and has taught me so much”
*What has been your biggest frustration this season?
“The loss to Simpson, not being able to play defense and throwing those three interceptions”
*What do you hope to be doing this time next year?
“Playing football somewhere”
Witt Haggard exemplifies what a student-athlete is all about. Not only has Haggard excelled on the field but the senior is an honor student and maintains a 3.5 GPA. He has scored a 24 on the ACT and is scheduled to take it again. Witt is also an Academic Society Beta Club member and Mu Alpha Theta.
Haggard's numbers:
Passing totals
7,049 yards
77 tds
Rushing totals
1,200 yards +
20 tds
Touchdowns
97
Record as a starter
20-4
*Haggard may receive lots of attention this spring. The senior, who is a pitcher for the Raider baseball team, had his fastball clock out at 91 mph on the Meridian Community College gun last season.
