De’Antwan Williams making a run toward the record book

By Joe Conroy

Published: October 23, 2008

When Woodbridge plays host to Hylton tonight, the fans walking through the gates know they will get a show.
The top two Cardinal District teams will face each other for the first time this year and one of the most electric players to don a Viking jersey since Russell Davis in the 1970’s.
De’Antwan Williams will also give those in attendance an opportunity to see some history in the making.
Williams sat with his backfield-mate Kevin Tyrra in their first period Creative Writing earlier this year when the two of them realized they had a chance to make their senior season something really special.
They were playing with Williams’ career rushing yardage as well as his game average and they figured out Williams had a shot at the Virginia High School League Group AAA state record.
“Entering the season we knew if he had a year like last year he could get to that record,” Woodbridge coach Keith King said of Williams’ 2,249-yard performance in 2007-08.
In his first three efforts this season, Williams ran for 468 yards, bringing him closer to Elan Lewis’ mark of 7,156 set in 2004 with Phoebus. Williams is still 890 yards away, but he knows it’s not something completely out of his reach.
“Coming into the year… I knew about it, but I didn’t know that it was possible for me to make it,” Williams said. “But then, after a couple games, I thought maybe I’d have a chance.”
A shifty, speedy tailback, Williams has averaged more than 186 yards through his first seven regular season games, much of those 1,308 yards coming on his area-leading 22 touchdowns.
But this is more than just an individual goal for the 5-foot-8, 200-pound back — the entire team is focused not only on returning to the AAA Division 6 state final, but to see their teammate’s name written into the VHSL record book.
“I think they all take pride in it,” King said. “The linemen all know they had a great deal to do with it and the receivers, blocking downfield for him, also feel part of the record. That’s what we emphasize here.”
“We know if we can get him his yards, get him his due, he’ll give us the credit as well,” senior offensive/defensive lineman Austin Brown said. “That’s the biggest thing about him setting these records and being the high-profile player he is. He credits a lot of people around him.”
Williams believes his teammates feel that way mostly because they know he would do the same for them were the roles reversed.
“If there was anything in my hands that I could for them, I would do it,” he said. “That’s why I think they return the favor.”
Though it’s largely an individual achievement, the team also knows not only that they were all part of it, but also that Williams’ success usually means success as a whole, resulting in a victory, especially last season and this one.
“I think we look at it like if he rushes for 200 yards and a couple touchdowns, we’ll be hard-pressed to lose,” King said. “When you have that one bullet, you always have a chance.”
Against Potomac in Woodbridge’s Cardinal District opener Oct. 10, there was no better example of that than when Williams took a sweep toss on his first attempt of the game 55 yards for a touchdown. In fact, three of his five scores that day came on runs of 41 yards or longer.
“He’s always been a deep threat, an all-star running back,” said Tyrra, who has blocked for Williams as a fullback since the two played at the Pop Warner level. “(In) the Loudoun Valley game… he actually went the opposite way the play was supposed run and he cut all the way across the field I think three times. He’s always made it happen.”
Williams’ quick-strike ability has been one of the most important keys to the Vikings’ 7-0 start overall and 2-0 record against district foes.
“He’s had games over 300 and then the one last week (at Forest Park) with 80-some,” King said, “but we know it’s just a matter of time before he makes a big play.
“I think in the past we sat back and waited for that to happen,” King added. “Now we’re helping make it happen.”
“The way I felt during the Potomac game, when I had a career-high rushing (with 318 yards),” Williams said, “I just think if I get the record it would mean a lot to me. I’ve put myself out there for the team and I’ve been doing it since freshman year so it would make me feel really good.”
Already with a quite stellar career (Williams virtually carried the Vikings to the state final last season despite opponents game planning against him every week), Williams is more concerned with how his team views him and what he can do to help them win every time out.
“I just hope I can lead the team to states and win this time,” Williams said. “That would be something I could remember forever.”
Still, King knows that breaking a state record could put Williams’ career on a stage for the rest of Virginia to see.
“We’re going to probably have to get to state championship game and have good performances every game,” King said. “It’ll be tough with good teams there, but I think he can get to that. There have been a lot of great players in Virginia. Doing this here, that’s really saying something.
“It’s been a privilege to coach him and be around him,” he added. “I’ve watched him develop as a player and a person. It’ll be sad to see him go. People pay $5 to come to football games and see a great play. I’ve seen it for four years and I’ve had the best seat.”