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Holub's development has Panthers in the playoffs
November 28, 2007 3:47 PM

By Zach Duncan

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

As a wing on the Seymour basketball team, Hayden Holub averaged a team-best 17 points last year, helping the Panthers come within one game of the state tournament.

As the ace on the Panthers baseball team, he won nine games sporting a 2.14 ERA, hurling and hitting his squad all the way to the regional finals.

As a member of the track team, he was .09 seconds away from a trip to Austin in the 110 hurdles.

But as Seymour's starting quarterback the past two seasons, Holub hadn't come close to sniffing the postseason.

Under a new coach whose offensive system better utilizes the senior's skills, Holub has made the most of his final opportunity, directing the Panthers into the third round of the playoffs.

"We couldn't wait to get the season started," said Holub, who has passed for 1,510 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for another 1,277 yards and 20 scores. "We were ready to get going. We didn't want to not have success."

Seymour had reason to anticipate the 2007 campaign, despite finishing in last place during its first season at the Class A level.

David Fambrough, an offensive coordinator at Pflugerville Connally, was hired to fill the coaching vacancy, and he would bring with him a more dynamic offense. Fambrough would also inherit 12 seniors from a decent 4-6 squad, none more indispensable than Holub.

"Isaw him run during track, and I knew he was going to be special," Fambrough said. "He's a great athlete and competitor. He refuses to give up on anything."

Fambrough's spread offense fits Holub perfectly because it opens running lanes that weren't available in the past. Plus, it gives Holub more control and often a chance to be more creative.

"We know the ball is going to be in his hands every time, and he decides what he does with it," Fambrough said. "He has a bag of tricks and he likes to improvise."

It's no coincidence Holub is having his best year throwing the football, too. A 41-percent passer his first two seasons, Holub worked diligently with Fambrough on learning reads in the new system.

The study time has paid off, as Holub's completion percentage has skyrocketed to 57 percent. He has almost as many passing yards this year as he did his sophomore and junior seasons combined - despite 100 fewer attempts.

"I was surprised with his accuracy," Windthorst coach Bill Green said after Holub completed 12 of 14 attempts in a 20-0 win against his Trojans three weeks ago. "That's a credit to coach Fambrough and Holub being receptive to change.

"He's one of those guys, when the game is over, he's dirty and sweaty. I have all the respect for him in the world."

Fambrough doesn't get many chances to discuss in-game strategy with Holub, who also is one of the team’s leading tacklers from his safety position. In fact, the only time Holub is not on the field in when Seymour is returning kickoffs.

But he can still soothe his coach's worries, even if he never comes near the sidelines.

Making their first postseason appearance in eight years last Friday, the Panthers had reason to be a little edgy against Valley View, especially after a first-round bye.

On the third play of the game, Holub dropped back to pass, but quickly took off down the sidelines, evading several Valley View defenders for a 53-yard touchdown, setting the tone for his four-touchdown performance.

"We wanted to go on defense first, but we had to go on offense," Holub said. "I think (scoring early) helped calm us down."

Fambrough said that highlight-reel play definitely "relaxed me a little bit."

While Holub has several more promising sports seasons to look forward to, those thoughts will have to be put on hold. After all, Seymour has been this deep into the playoffs only once, a 1957 run to the state semifinals.

The school's first football state championship is on the line, and Holub is the one conducting the ride.

Staff sports writer Zach Duncan can be reached weekdays after 4 p.m. by calling 720-3470 or 1-800-627-1646. Or e-mail him at duncanz(at)timesrecordnews.com.

Better with age

Hayden Holub has seen his numbers spike his third and final season as Seymour's starting quarterback:

C/A Yds TDs Rush Yards TDs

2007 114/197 1,510 12 213 1,277 20

2006 66/151 729 4 161 892 11

2005 57/147 809 5 159 879 5