Varsity football players run offensive drills during voluntary workout

“We’re a community.”

When asked what it meant to be a Bulldog, Shane Webber’s response was quick and confident. Shane closely followed with, “We're working hard to develop our kids and to develop myself and the coaches, so that we better serve the community. If we can build young men and women, instead of just athletes, then we’ve really accomplished our goal.” 


Webber spoke of the importance of being a good community member. He said that the goal of being a good Bulldog was to learn the skills needed to be good community members later on. 

“You have this ‘buy-in,’ not just for our athletic program, but a ‘buy-in’ to the school, and the community. Yes, we want to develop toughness—both mental and physical.  But being a Quitman Bulldog encapsulates the school, the athletics program, and the community—that's what it means to be a Bulldog.”  Webber remembered that growing up as a Bulldog, there was a consensus that student athletes knew that “It wasn't just about us. It was about us being active members in our school—both coaches and players—and out in the community.” Webber is committed to a return to that feeling of community and pride in being a Bulldog. “To me, that's the total package. If you can get that, then you’re going to be better.”

The Road to Rebuilding

 “Trust.”

Webber stated that trust was the major factor in getting more kids into the QISD Athletics’ program, and convincing them to come participate in voluntary workouts. Trust is critical. He added that the girl’s program had already established a certain level of trust based on coaches who had been there awhile and their success records. Previously, getting the guys on board had been more of a challenge.

Coach Webber spoke of returning coaches such as brothers Devin and Eric Shaw as one of many influences in gaining the students’ trust. Webber stated that coaches such as the Shaws have shown their commitment to the students both on the field and in the classroom over the past year, and they have helped establish trust between the student athletes and the coaches. Webber also said that bringing in alumni such as Scooter Fortner and Trey Neighbors helps establish trust because the athletes know that these coaches are committed to the kids and community already. As returning alumni, Fortner and Neighbors want to help rebuild the program and teach a new generation of student athletes what it really means to be a Bulldog. 


New upgrades to facilities have also been a lure for some student athletes. The weight room was recently overhauled from top to bottom and is now a state-of-the-art facility, with plans for even more expansion in the future.

Senior RB/LB Wyatt Hightower definitely appreciates the new facilities. “I think it helped us a lot just because having such an old thing for so long kind of just kept us down. Bringing the new weight room in gave us all confidence.” Hightower also went on to state that the support from the district and the community for the program gave the athletes an “extra push to know that the people in this community are behind us and that everyone believes in us. All we have to do is believe in ourselves.”

When asked what being a Bulldog meant to Hightower, he responded, “there's nothing else really like it, being in a small town like this—it’s great, you know—everybody knows you. It's just the love behind the community. I think that's what being a Bulldog is about. Everyone in our community is a Bulldog.”

Summer Workouts

Rebuilding the Bulldogs also means a lot of hard work and sweat.  Currently midway through voluntary workouts, the Bulldogs are still averaging up to 130 students each day. Some weeks see fewer student athletes as many are attending a variety of camps—from church to FFA to cheerleading and more. However, the daily Monday through Thursday workouts still attract about 70 boys and 60 girls. Boys arrive at 7 a.m. and girls at 8 a.m. All student athletes lift weights, run, and complete agility drills. After the basics are covered, they break away into different sports. Summer workouts are about more than just football and volleyball. Cross country athletes are also hard at work. Baseball and softball players meet at their fields and work out regularly. Some student athletes who participate in multiple sports may easily find themselves at the school most of the day working hard to get better. 


Webber also stated that while summer workouts were originally targeted for 7th through 12th grade students, they have not turned anyone away. Webber said that several 6th graders have shown up, and even some students as young as 3rd and 4th grade. Webber is excited to “keep the positivity.” He believes that allowing the younger kids to have access to the program is one way to establish trust early and get them excited to become Bulldogs.  


Two a Days

The days of working out in the heat twice a day are long gone, thanks to many reasons. In-service days for the coaches/teachers will begin just one week after teams are allowed to begin two-a-days. Also, many students have jobs and aren’t able to work around a traditional two-a-days schedule. So Coach Webber has set their workouts to begin August 2nd from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Each evening practice will start with athletes in the weight room from 5-6 p.m. and then on the field until 9 p.m. The first day of pads will be Saturday, August 7th, with the Blue/White Scrimmage at 9:30 a.m. and media day following the scrimmage.

The public is invited to attend practices and the Blue/White Scrimmage. Webber hopes that the community will come out and support these players. He still remembers parents and community members lining the fences at two-a-days during his time playing for the Bulldogs, and he knows the value of the presence of the community members.  Webber said it meant a lot to him to see the support when he was a player, and he hopes the community will come out so that this group of Bulldogs can experience the same connectedness with the community.

Meet the Bulldogs

A very special “Meet the Bulldogs” will take place this year. Unlike years’ past, “Meet the Bulldogs” will be held at Jim Hogg City Park this year during the Old Settlers Reunion. The community will have an opportunity to meet all of the student athletes, both boys and girls. “Meet the Bulldogs” will begin Saturday evening at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a concert from 2020 Quitman Bulldog, Bobby Irwin, at 7 p.m. This will be a great opportunity for the kids and coaches to meet with the community.  Please make plans to attend if you can and show your support.