Layne Hatcher
SENIOR / PULASKI ACADEMY
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: FOOTBALL
>> WHY HE WON
Pulaski Academy senior quarterback Layne Hatcher adds another accolade to his extensive resume — All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Football Player of the Year. Hatcher, who set a state record for passing yards in a season in 2017, was also last year’s All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Wrestler of the Year. Hatcher led the Bruins to their fourth consecutive Class 5A state title and was the team’s quarterback for three of those years. During his senior year, Hatcher completed 384 of 531 passes for 5,779 yards and 66 touchdowns while throwing only 11 interceptions. “It means a lot,” Hatcher said of being honored. “It is a representation of the hard work and the great teammates and coaches that I’ve had in the years here. We’ve developed something really unique here at Pulaski Academy, and we’re letting that show on the field. It’s a testament to hard work.” Hatcher’s best game came in Week 6 when he completed 36 of 45 passes for 757 yards and 6 touchdowns in an 86-56 win over Little Rock Christian. Pulaski Academy coach Kevin Kelley said Hatcher showed how competitive he was by how he wins. “He’s good at baseball,” Kelley said. “He’s good at wrestling, but my favorite thing is that I just love him as a person. He’s just a great kid. He’s awesome to be around. He thinks about other people. He wants to do well by others.” Hatcher said it was a great honor that he was recognized two years in a row in different sports. “I knew it was possible just because of what I’ve done in wrestling and football. It would be pretty cool if I could do some unique stuff on the football field.” Hatcher said he trains year-round for all three sports. “The multiple training sessions add up,” he said. “I also do weightlifting nearly every day.” After some persistence from Alabama and coach Nick Saban, Hatcher signed a scholarship with the Crimson Tide, the defending national champions. He was also recruited by the University of Central Arkansas, Georgetown and Oklahoma State. “Alabama kept asking him to walk on,” Kelley said. “They said they needed another quarterback and had always liked Layne. Nick Saban called him and said,
‘What’s it going to take to get you here on
Saturday (May 26),’” Kelley said, “Saban said
‘See you on Saturday.’ Next thing you know, 48 hours later, [Hatcher] is down there,” Kelley said. Hatcher, who carries a 3.6 grade-point average, plans to major in business.