Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
WAVERLY — By all accounts, Waverly’s football program was nothing short of special last season.
CREDIT: Renee Nemeth/SOSA
With a dynamic offense that put up points in droves and a defense that had a nose for the football, the Tigers finished 8-1 and reached a Division IV regional semifinal — where they dropped a 31-28 heartbreaker to state powerhouse Clinton-Massie.
Wideout Will Futhey was a key cog in that machine, racking up 44 catches for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns.
And this fall, he’ll be asked to take on an even bigger role while finding his groove with a new quarterback and a new offensive scheme.
We caught up with the sure-handed senior to discuss his chemistry with quarterback and brother Wade Futhey, how he’s preparing for his final year in stripes and what to expect from this year’s group.
Question: Let’s start here. Where are you at in the recruiting process and how tough has it been to decide where to go next?
Futhey: Recruiting has been very tough for me, especially due to all the setbacks COVID caused last year. But getting back into a normal recruiting process has been great. There’s been a lot of great schools with great programs and amazing coaches, and I’m just looking for what best fits me and what will feel most like home for the next four years
Q: Before that collegiate career begins, you’ve got business to attend to. What are your overall senior year expectations?
WF: I have a lot of expectations for this group of seniors. I love these guys like brothers. We’ve put in the work and we want to take care of business this year by winning the league and making a deep playoff run. We want to take the next step forward as a program and, as coach Crabtree would say, we want to leave this place better than we found it.
Q: Your numbers were insane last year. They usually are. But what have you gotten better at over the offseason? What have you fine-tuned?
WF: Personally, I’ve really focused on getting faster and just becoming an even better route-runner. But most importantly, I’ve been working on becoming a better leader and trying to be more vocal out there at practice while helping the younger guys when they have questions or don’t know what to do.
Q: You have to have someone to throw you the ball before you go to work. How’s the chemistry coming between you and the new QB?
WF: It’s been going great. The chemistry is definitely there. I mean, I’ve been passing the football in the backyard with Wade [Futhey, Will’s brother] since we were little kids. I trust him and I know he trusts me. I’m proud of him and the work he’s put in to get where he’s at and I’m very happy he gets the opportunity to be our quarterback this year. It’s something we’ve always looked forward to since we were little kids and I can’t wait to share that experience with him this year on the field.
Q: Last year was nothing short of special for you guys. What’s the biggest lesson you took away from that run?
WF: Last year was great for us as a team and a program. I felt we really showed the progress this team has made and just how tough we really are. I was able to take away a lot of things from that season, but some of the most important things were that you have to be disciplined and dedicated to get what you want because nothing is given. You have to earn it. We set goals at the beginning of the season and we were able to achieve those goals, simply because we worked harder and wanted it more. I also earned to cherish these memories and enjoy the moment because time flies. It feels like just yesterday when I was a freshman looking up to the older guys. Now I’m the older guy.
Q: What’s the locker room like this year? What’s the team dynamic?
WF: The locker room has been great. We’ve been able to bring energy each day at practice and keep each other going when it gets tough. A lot of guys have stepped up and have really been leaders. It’s awesome to see and, of course, it’s been a very fun group of guys to be around. We’re all just excited and ready for the season.
Q: If you had to think about one word to describe this year’s season, what would it be and why?
WF: I’d describe this season as special and exciting, just because we get to go out there and show everyone how hard we’ve worked for this. We’ve got a lot of guys stepping up on the field this year with something to prove and we’re blessed to be able to have a full season again. We’re all just really excited and us seniors are going to go out there and try to end our high school careers the right way by enjoying the moment each and every day.
