Dominicfrank
11-20-2007, 01:36 PM
Williams shines on both sides of the ball
By Zach Duncan
Monday, November 19, 2007
Darien Williams tells people he's not a quarterback.
Rather, the Vernon standout is a hard-hitting safety who just so happens to play quarterback in his spare time.
The senior prefers the defensive side of the football, where as a three-year starter he looks forward to lighting up opposing tailbacks and receivers who foolishly travel in his direction.
And that's where colleges have him pegged to play. Williams has verbally committed to signing a football scholarship with North Texas.
But as the Lions march toward their goal of a state title, Williams undoubtedly will play a prominent role as Vernon's signal-caller, too.
His offensive stats aren't too impressive, only because talented running backs Ray Daniels and Craig Whiteside, plus wingback Demetrias Murray, line up behind him.
In fact, Williams is more of a caretaker of the Vernon offense, which averages 280 rushing yards per game. But don't forget about him, because he can make defenses pay with his quickness by rolling out on bootlegs or keeping the ball on the option.
"Playing quarterback is another challenge for me," Williams said. "We have lots of weapons, which comes in handy."
He shared the quarterback role with Williams Miller early last season, entering games when Vernon was operating out of the shotgun. But a shoulder injury limited his effectiveness midway through the year, so Williams played solely on defense during the Lions' jaunt to the 3A state semifinals.
However, there was no question Williams would be inserted into the starting spot this year.
"He has a lot of belief in us, and we have a lot of belief in him," Vernon coach Keith Hall said. "Sometimes I'm pretty hard on him because I expect so much of him."
Hall isn't the only one who expects a lot out of his playmaker, who has snagged interceptions during critical times in wins against Graham and Perryton the past three weeks.
Last year was the first time the Vernon coach included everyone eligible for captainship, not just seniors. Sure enough, Williams was the lone junior elected to the esteemed role.
"That told me a lot of what of what they thought of him," Hall said. "He's a great young man. It's nice to have No. 11 on our sidelines."
He's rarely on the sidelines, though. When not playing quarterback, Williams is busy making a team-high five interceptions, and his 62 tackles entering the Perryton game trailed only Tanner Kieschnick and Jesus Lora for the lead.
Williams is equally adept at covering pass-happy teams and creeping toward the line of scrimmage to slow down running teams.
This Friday, when the Lions take on Sweetwater in the Area round, Williams and the rest of the unit will see much of the latter. Sweetwater racked up 440 rushing yards in a bi-district win against Bridgeport.
But like most things thrown his way this year, Williams and the ninth-ranked Lions should be ready.
"So far, it's going pretty good," Williams said of the season. "We're 10-1 and right where we want to be."
By Zach Duncan
Monday, November 19, 2007
Darien Williams tells people he's not a quarterback.
Rather, the Vernon standout is a hard-hitting safety who just so happens to play quarterback in his spare time.
The senior prefers the defensive side of the football, where as a three-year starter he looks forward to lighting up opposing tailbacks and receivers who foolishly travel in his direction.
And that's where colleges have him pegged to play. Williams has verbally committed to signing a football scholarship with North Texas.
But as the Lions march toward their goal of a state title, Williams undoubtedly will play a prominent role as Vernon's signal-caller, too.
His offensive stats aren't too impressive, only because talented running backs Ray Daniels and Craig Whiteside, plus wingback Demetrias Murray, line up behind him.
In fact, Williams is more of a caretaker of the Vernon offense, which averages 280 rushing yards per game. But don't forget about him, because he can make defenses pay with his quickness by rolling out on bootlegs or keeping the ball on the option.
"Playing quarterback is another challenge for me," Williams said. "We have lots of weapons, which comes in handy."
He shared the quarterback role with Williams Miller early last season, entering games when Vernon was operating out of the shotgun. But a shoulder injury limited his effectiveness midway through the year, so Williams played solely on defense during the Lions' jaunt to the 3A state semifinals.
However, there was no question Williams would be inserted into the starting spot this year.
"He has a lot of belief in us, and we have a lot of belief in him," Vernon coach Keith Hall said. "Sometimes I'm pretty hard on him because I expect so much of him."
Hall isn't the only one who expects a lot out of his playmaker, who has snagged interceptions during critical times in wins against Graham and Perryton the past three weeks.
Last year was the first time the Vernon coach included everyone eligible for captainship, not just seniors. Sure enough, Williams was the lone junior elected to the esteemed role.
"That told me a lot of what of what they thought of him," Hall said. "He's a great young man. It's nice to have No. 11 on our sidelines."
He's rarely on the sidelines, though. When not playing quarterback, Williams is busy making a team-high five interceptions, and his 62 tackles entering the Perryton game trailed only Tanner Kieschnick and Jesus Lora for the lead.
Williams is equally adept at covering pass-happy teams and creeping toward the line of scrimmage to slow down running teams.
This Friday, when the Lions take on Sweetwater in the Area round, Williams and the rest of the unit will see much of the latter. Sweetwater racked up 440 rushing yards in a bi-district win against Bridgeport.
But like most things thrown his way this year, Williams and the ninth-ranked Lions should be ready.
"So far, it's going pretty good," Williams said of the season. "We're 10-1 and right where we want to be."