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Tailback striving to exceed expectations for Bulldogs
Senior rusher Morgan Williams doesn't want repeat of Canton McKinley playoff letdown to archrival
By Michael Beaven
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Canton McKinley senior tailback Morgan Williams remembers the sour feeling of the Bulldogs' only loss last season.
The 21-3 setback to rival Massillon came in a Division I regional final, just three weeks after the Bulldogs handled the Tigers 38-8 at Fawcett Stadium.
``We had mental breakdowns,'' Williams said of the game at the Rubber Bowl. ``You have got to be ready to play every game. Most of the time you come out flat, you will lose.''
The game was a sharp contrast to the Week 10 matchup, when he rushed for 234 yards on 40 carries and scored four times.
``I remember that first touchdown,'' Williams said. ``I felt like they didn't come out ready to play... I felt the momentum shift in our favor.''
McKinley senior quarterback Dan Grimsley said the difference between the two Massillon games was obvious.
``We were completely ready to play,'' Grimsley said about the first Massillon game. ``We were so intense, so focused and so prepared. The second game was the exact opposite. Our heads weren't in the right place. We didn't come out focused.''
Despite that tough loss, Williams helped the Bulldogs to a 12-1 record and a Federal League championship.
He earned Division I first-team All-Ohio honors and was named the co-district Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for a school single-season record 2,417 yards on 271 carries and scored 29 touchdowns.
``In between the tackles he isn't easy to bring down and once he gets in the open field, I don't think anybody can catch him in Ohio,'' Bulldogs senior center Drew McIntyre said.
Williams matched a single-game school record set by Ryan Brinson by racking up 335 rushing yards on 27 carries and four touchdowns in a Week 9 win over North Canton Hoover.
``I think he got more physical as the season and each game went on,'' McKinley coach Brian Cross said. ``He would be stronger in the fourth quarter than the first quarter. Morgan was a very durable back last year.''
Asked to reflect on his success, Williams said: ``It was last season. It's a new season and I have to up my game to a new level this year.''
Williams' drive and humility makes him a pleasure to block for, McIntyre said.
``He knows what we go through, he is always thanking us,'' McIntyre said.
``I love seeing when Morgan Williams thanks his offensive line, because it's my way of sneaking in the paper,'' McIntyre said with a laugh.
McKinley enters this season with McIntyre as the only returning starter on the offensive line. Last season's line featured graduated seniors Zach Slagle, Tyrell McDonald, Jerrid Haywood, Anthony Robinson and tight end Dejaun Dickerson. Three of the linemen weighed more than 300 pounds, while the other two were at least 280.
Juniors Sean Whited, Isaac Gatlin, Isaiah Gatlin, Max Rehfus, Andrew Sewell and senior Alex Lyon are competing to start with the 6-foot-1, 240-pound McIntyre. The average weight of the line is about 240.
``It's going to be interesting to see,'' Cross said of the new offensive line. ``(Morgan's) a good running back, but you're only as good as your offensive line. We have a much smaller line this season. We must use our quickness by pulling guards and tackles to compensate for possible (weight) mismatches.''
Cross said the difference in size and weight is noticeable, ``It's such a big drop-off compared to last season... It looks like a bunch of running backs on the line,'' he said with a laugh.
Despite the changes up front, Williams remains confident.
``We've got a young line, but the talent is there,'' Williams said. ``We need to get the blocking assignments down and everything should be great.''
Williams realizes that McKinley needs to stay focused on the primary goals -- defeating Massillon once, maybe twice and winning a state championship.
``Massillon is always a big game, you always have to bring your `A' game,'' he said. ``It's the talk of the town, two weeks, three weeks, maybe even before the season. The winner of that game gets the bragging rights until the next time they meet.
``We have got to be mentally tough,'' Williams said. ``The last game, we lost because we had a mental breakdown. If we play our physical football, we should be a great football team.''
