Webb City High School senior Eric Lathan says, “Just being from Webb City, I feel like football is in my blood.” The Cardinals have a long history of winning football, and Lathan and his teammates want to make sure that legacy continues with them.
Lathan is one of a host of Cardinals who, as freshmen, were part of a Webb City team that won the state title. Now, as seniors, that group wants to bring that pride back to their hometown as their parting gift. That ambition is more than just wishful thinking. The Cardinals were 10-3 last season, winning a District championship before succumbing to Republic in the State Semi-Finals in a 21-20 thriller. That team was a bit injury-riddled at the time. The Cardinals should begin this season with a large group of healthy returners, including a very strong senior class of teammates that are champing at the bit for one last shot at a title.
When asked what he looked forward to most this season, Lathan, who plays on the line on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, replied, “Just playing football with all my friends for the last time and hopefully enjoying it all and winning a lot. I want to be a leader on the offensive and defensive line.”
Lathan and his teammates understand that winning titles isn’t a birthright. He says that he and his teammates have worked extremely hard towards their goals, “One goal is to win state, and another is to possibly go undefeated. I worked a lot in the off-season – just getting stronger and faster.”
Eric gives a lot of credit for his team’s success to the Cardinals who came before him and and to the winning culture at Webb City, “I was lucky enough to get brought up to varsity my freshman year when we won state. I didn’t get any reps, but the work I got in (with the older players) made me a better player. I don’t ever want to feel again how I felt after losing to Republic last season by one point.”
Lathan also participates in track and field, where he throws shot put. He placed 10th and state as a sophomore and 9th as a junior.
After graduation, Eric has plans to go to college but is undecided as to where. He would like to study and major in business.