HUMBOLDT Bright lights shine in Cub country as quarterback Conor Haviland yells Saturday to his offensive linemen. After delivering the call, Haviland grasps the ball from the shotgun snap, and proceeds to carry out his weekly Friday night routine score touchdowns.
Thirty-three of Havilands touches have led to six points on the scoreboard for the Cubs in 2019. Twenty-eight percent of Havilands carries have turned into touchdowns, but his scoring prowess is not his only mind-boggling statistic. In nine games, Haviland has racked up 2,024 yards rushing on 115 carries, and even more impressive is his 17.6 yards per attempt.
Everyone is going to say its his change of direction that makes him special, but I think it is just him understanding himself, head coach Logan Wyrick said. A lot of it also is that there is not a change in his speed. Once he gets going, and a cut happens, there is no slowing down.
Haviland hasnt needed many carries to do his damage on the field. Deployed as a running back last season, Wyrick shuffled Haviland over to quarterback. Carrying the ball as a quarterback has allowed Haviland to identify the running lane quicker, and at times have extra blockers.
Witnessing first-hand Havilands wizardry is senior Josh Hull, who features at right tackle for the Cubs. Hull describes a scene where the head official warned him for blocking his defensive opponent late into the play, which left him confused. Hull explains, One minute Conor was in the rearview mirror, and the next minute he was gone. Hull claims his job is a piece of cake with Haviland leading the charge.
Wonderboy, he is a magician. He does it all, Hull exclaimed. He tries to dish it out on others, but really all it is, is that I set an edge, and the guard and I work up to the linebacker, he takes the defensive end, I take the linebacker, and Conor is gone. It is as simple as that.
Havilands success wouldnt be possible without the five linemen up front controlling the trenches and allowing Haviland to run free. Wyrick admits the Cubs have dealt with injuries throughout the season. Three-year starter at center Taylor Lassman will miss Friday nights game due to injuries.
Hull has been the only offensive lineman to remain at the same position in all nine games. The other four spots have shuffled from game to game. Those four spots have featured Maddox Johnson, Jacob Fudge, Blake Walker, Speed Hoepker and Joseph Froggatte.
Haviland credits the big boys for answering when called upon.
When weve had guys hurt, we have had to bring in some smaller guys, but they have stepped up, Haviland said. Speed started for center at for us when Taylor was out. He has played a pretty big part for our line, and now starts at left tackle.
A state championship is the end goal for Haviland in 2019, but he admits the individual success has been a unique journey.
It has been pretty special being able to fly past the defense and pick up some yards, Haviland said. Im usually done by halftime because we have a big lead, and it allows the younger guys to come in.
HUMBOLDT is in position to reach the quarterfinals in class 2A for the second consecutive season. All that stands in their way is Southeast-Cherokee. The Cubs comfortably silenced the Lancers 50-18 in week 8. Haviland carried 18 times for 339 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns, and 3/3 in the air for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Although the score displays a Cub blowout, Wyrick insists Southeast is no walk in the park. With less than two minutes to go, Humboldt led 14-6, and it wasnt until the final seconds that they extended it by two possessions. The Cubs scored 22 third-quarter points, to put the Lancers to bed.
