HUMBOLDT— Back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and a trip to the Kansas Class 2A state semi-final for Humboldt football wouldn’t have been possible without seniors Conor Haviland and Josh Hull.
On Wednesday the pair announced their destination for the next four years, and they won’t be too far away from each other. A force on both sides of the trenches, Hull elected to sign with Emporia State, while signal caller/do everything Haviland chose Pittsburg State.
Last season Hull accumulated 48 tackles, three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and even added a rushing touchdown against Central Heights in the first round of the playoffs.
While other colleges came calling, including the University of Kansas, Hull felt Emporia was the right choice to call home for the next several years. Hull plans to be utilized as an offensive lineman for the Hornets.
“It just felt like home when I got there,” Hull said. “I blended with the team well. It has a family-type atmosphere, and they are looking to win games.”
Haviland put up staggering numbers in 2019, rushing for 2,436 yards while averaging 17.2 yards per attempt, and scoring 40 touchdowns rushing. Through the air Haviland added another 473 yards and seven touchdown tosses.
Haviland said the Pittsburg coaching staff is bringing him in as a running back.
“When I went on my visit there, I really liked the atmosphere,” Haviland said. “My brother is there, my friends are there, and I think I feel more at home going there. I think with the new coaching staff we can turn some things around.”
Hull and Haviland will get the chance to go head-to-head on the gridiron, as both Pittsburg and Emporia compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Conference. It is an opportunity both are looking forward to.
“I think Conor’s grandpa made the comment ‘Hey Conor, he’s going to be tackling you in a couple of years,’” Hull said. “It then kinda made me realize we are going to two totally different places, but I think it will be good for both of us.”
“Now we are going to be playing against each other, and I think it’s going to be fun,” Haviland said. “It was really cool to be able to sign on the same day. I’d been looking forward to it.”
