Haggins Hopes to Lead LHS Into Title Game

Published: Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.

By Brandt Merritt
The Ledger

If the Lakeland Dreadnaughts want another shot at the undisputed top team in the country, St. Thomas Aquinas, they're going to have to get through Tampa Plant first.

And to get through Plant (11-1), a program eyeing this game as a chance to knock Lakeland off the pedestal as best in the Tampa Bay area, the Dreadnaughts (13-0) need Jarred Haggins to keep doing his thing.

Haggins, Lakeland's senior quarterback, will be starting his second consecutive Class 5A state semifinal at 7:30 tonight when Plant visits Bryant Stadium. He is the unquestioned leader on offense and has quietly established a legacy as one of the best signal-callers in Dreadnaughts history.

Only two other quarterbacks have been three-year starters under Bill Castle: Wayne Peace from 1977-79 and Johnny Jones from 1997-99. But neither of them played in a state title game, something Haggins already did last season - Peace went as far as the state semifinals in 1979 and Jones was on the 1999 championship team but was hurt and couldn"t play in the final.

"When somebody told me I was the first three-year starter in 10 years, I was kind of amazed because I've got a decent chance of making something of myself," Haggins said.

In his three seasons as a starter, Haggins, nicknamed "Scooter," has compiled a 37-3 record.

"What a leader he's been for us," Castle said of Haggins.

Last season, Haggins finished 71 of 133 for 1,303 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 298 yards and one touchdown. The year ended with a crushing 56-7 loss to Aquinas in the title game.

This season, Haggins has improved to 83 of 125 for 1,482 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions and has amassed 595 yards rushing with five touchdowns.

He's also embraced the role of leader as his comfort level with the offense and reading defenses has increased.

"I like throwing the ball, I like running it," he said. "The ball's in my hands every play, so either way it goes doesn't matter to me."

Castle said Haggins' confidence rubs off on the rest of the team.

"Our kids got a lot of confidence in him and know that he's going to give them a great effort," Castle said.

Haggins committed to Florida State, where his uncle Odell is an assistant coach, before the season started. The Seminoles are recruiting him as a wide receiver, something Castle said he wishes wasn't the case.

"Personally, I really like him as a quarterback," Castle said. "I just think he's going to get better and better as he goes on."

Haggins has attended football camps at FSU since he was a freshman, and always has worked out with the receiving group. He said that's how the coaching staff noticed him, and he has no worries about making the adjustment if he plays receiver in college.

Haggins, listed at 6-foot-2 and 182 pounds, said he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds but is shooting for a time closer to 4.4. He said he runs good routes and has "pretty decent hands" that get a little rusty while playing quarterback.

Although head coach Bobby Bowden will be coaching his last game at FSU in the Gator Bowl this year, Haggins said he was recruited primarily by receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey and rising head coach Jimbo Fisher.

"They're still there, so nothing's really changed," he said.