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Waterford star appreciates community support

Waterford senior Isaac Huffman has played a pivotal role in the success of the Wildcats’ football, basketball and baseball teams since his freshman year. Courtesy photo

Isaac Huffman

Waterford

Year: senior

Age: 17

GPA: 3.95

Sports: football, basketball, baseball

Hgt.: 6-foot

Wgt.: 170

Football position: quarterback/free safety

Basketball position: guard

Baseball position: catcher

College: undecided

Major: undecided

Family: Kirk and Maria Huffman (father and mother); 2 younger brothers (Noah and Jacob); 2 younger sisters (Maggie and Sophia)

Question: What’s your favorite sport?

Answer: (Smiles) They’re all pretty even. It’s whatever sport is in season. That’s probably my favorite at the time. I just focus on the sport I’m in and go from there.

Q: I’ve got to believe that you want to play one of those sports in college, maybe?

A: Yeah, I was looking at playing baseball in college. But if opportunities spring up, then I’ll just have to take what I can get.

I’ve been looking around (at colleges), looking for ideas in what I want to major in and places I want to go.

Q: Let’s talk about the football season. Last year, the team broke even, and this year, the Wildcats are hosting a D7 playoff game. That’s an impressive turnaround. How’d that happen?

A: I just think all the players put in their time and effort throughout all four years. It’s coming into play, now. Of course, we have a new coaching staff, guiding us in the right direction. With hard work and determination plus the new system, it all equals out to what we’ve accomplished so far.

Q: Friday night’s game against Belpre is still big, even though Waterford’s already clinched a homefield playoff spot?

A: Oh, yeah. All of the games are important. We take it one play at a time, and just do our best at 110 percent. Because if you take one play off, you never know, you’ll probably get hurt or something. So, we’re just taking it one game at a time, and if we win Friday, we win the TVC (Tri-Valley Conference) outright. We’ve got to win that, and then we’ll go off from there.

Q: The football team has the whole town buzzing?

A: The town’s been great. The community support’s awesome. You just see the fans coming in more and more. I just keep expecting to see more people coming and watching us. We know they’re always with us. They were with us when we were not very good until now. We all love the support that they give us.

Q: You’ve been a starting QB since you were a freshman?

A: (Smiles) I feel like I’ve gotten a little bit better. Coach Welch came in this year, and he’s helped me develop a lot, more fundamentally. My mental game is a lot better than it was in the past. I’ve gotten a little bit bigger throughout the years and building more confidence as the years go on. And, then, the guys around me have gotten better, too. So, with better players around me, it’s so much easier.

Q: You’ve been a very mobile QB since you were a freshman, running and throwing. I think that makes you very dangerous on the field?

A: I just try to make plays. (Laughs) Sometimes, I go a little bit overboard, and maybe do something to hurt the team. But I just try to do my best. I like to play for my team.

Q: You also play on defense, right?

A: They moved me from corner to free safety this year.

Q: Do you play on special teams, too?

A: Not so much. I’m on kickoffs. They give me a little break, which is nice because it gives some other guys some opportunities to play. Other people get a chance to show coaches what they’ve got.

Q: You have a lot of weapons on this team?

A: We have plenty of weapons. We have two great running backs in Tyler (McCutcheon) and Cody (Harris). We’ve got the speed with Tyler and Cody, and more power with Braden (Bellville). It’s great to have that balance. Wyatt (Lang) and Cody are two terrific receivers. Cody’s got great speed, and Wyatt’s got speed and great height. He can go up and get some balls that you can say, ‘Go get it, Wyatt.'” It helps to have guys like that around you. And then, we’ve got some guys behind them, like Taylor Strahler, who complements Cody very well. My brother Noah and Austin Pyatt do their thing. We have quite a few players, who can make plays.

Q: During your career at Waterford, is there a highlight that stands out?

A: (Smiles) Oh, man. The whole baseball ride (last spring) was pretty cool, going to regionals for the first time. Winning the TVC and district championship was pretty cool. And, I feel like this year, going to the playoffs in football is going to be as big of a moment, too, having all the fans there. We’ve got to take care of Belpre this week first, though.

Q: The upcoming basketball season looks promising?

A: We have all of our starters back, and we’re hoping to be very successful again in basketball.

Q: So far, your senior year is starting out as a dream year, wouldn’t you say?

A: It’s what we’ve all been dreaming about since we were little guys. I remember moving here, and in the first year playing with these guys, we were pretty successful. Went through a bumpy patch at the beginning of high school, but we always knew that if we stuck with it, our day would come. It’s here, now, so we’ve just got to take advantage of it.

Q: What’s it like playing for your uncle (Doug Huffman) in baseball?

A: It’s great. (Laughs) He’s a character. He did well with what he had. That’s for sure. He put everybody where they needed to be, and made all the right moves at the right times. Without him, it would’ve been tough to make it as far as we did. We respect him and play hard for him. That’s all he asks out of us.

Q: Who has inspired you during your sports career at Waterford?

A: I would say that there’s been a few people, like my dad (Kirk). (Smiles) You always want to one-up your dad. Of course, he’s always been driving me. My buddy Jordan (Welch), he’s always been there right with me. He always keeps me going in anything. He’s my ball boy for football. He’s always giving me pointers here and there when we’re out there. Those two have been the main two, and then of course the coaches for all the sports. There’s just so many people. I could name anyone from our senior class. They all push each other, push me to become the best that I can be.

Q: You and Noah definitely get a lot of support from your family?

A: Oh, yeah, they’re there at Waterford and as far away as South Gallia. They’re all there. Both sets of grandparents are always there, and of course my three younger siblings are always there. (Laughs) Whether they like it or not, they’re there. I think they have fun.

Q: What you do off the playing field? Any hobbies? Do you golf?

A: (Laughs) I tried golfing once, and it proves why I play football. I can hardly hit the ball. It’s a struggle. Jordan (Welch) and I went over to the driving range at Lakeside the other day. He was giving me some pointers, but when he’s driving the ball 350 yards and I barely get it off the tee to play…maybe, we’ll wait until after high school for me to work on my game. Right now, I’d just rather play football.

Q: Any other things that you like to do?

A: Just spending time with my family, catching up with them since they’re always supporting me. I like to spend my family time with either my brothers and sisters or my grandparents. Whether I go to their house to eat dinner, or stop by to say hi. I try to catch up with them whenever I can.

Q: Do you have a nickname?

A: (Smiles) No. Never have. I’m kind of glad I don’t.

Ron Johnston, rjohnston@mariettatimes.com

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