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'07 OH RB Morgan Williams (Toledo walk-on)

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osugrad21

osugrad21

Capo Regime
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'07 OH RB Morgan Williams

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Canton (OH)
McKinley

Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 190 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.5 seconds


Rivals $
Morgan has accumulated 863 yards and 13 touchdowns on 58 carries in 5 games. He says he is the best back in Ohio regardless of where Chris Wells may be ranked. Coach Cross says Morgan must improve his strength for the next level. He is in the vicinity of a 2.3-2.4 GPA. As of now, Ohio State, Michigan Purdue and Boston College are already recruiting Morgan.


The Vindicator

Fitch optimistic despite 28-7 loss<!-- BITSHeadlineEnd -->




The Falcons avoided a shutout with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

By JOHN KOVACH
<uppercase>VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF</uppercase>
AUSTINTOWN — Fitch High football coach Neal Kopp sees a potential silver lining in the Falcons' dark cloud of defeat, 28-7, at the hands of speedy and big-play Canton McKinley Friday at Falcon Stadium.
"We are a better team after playing a team like that squad," Kopp said. "A team has to play great football to beat them.
"That's as fast a team as Cleveland Glenville was last year," said Kopp, who is hoping his Falcons will be able to do the same thing that McKinley did last year after losing at home to Fitch.
"We beat them 22-0 last year there, and they had a 2-3 record after we beat them, and they went on to win nine games in a row before losing the state championship game to Cincinnati Collerain," Kopp said. "They have a 14-1 record since losing to us last year."
Morgan Williams, a strong and swift-moving junior running back, helped McKinley to stay undefeated by rushing for 222 yards in 16 carries, including a pair of touchdowns covering 80 and 20 yards.
Bulldogs now 5-0
The Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0 Federal League) struck for a 14-0 lead in the first period and added seven points each in the third and fourth quarters before Fitch finally got on the board.



Williams, who was able to break would-be tacklers for extra yardage, got off to a strong start with 154 yards rushing in 11 carries in the first half.
He was complemented throughout the game by several other offensive threats. Junior quarterback Dan Grimsley fired a 58-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver Joe Morgan, while senior defensive back Brian Williams picked up a Fitch fumble and raced 31 yards to the end zone to account for all of Canton's TDs.
Zach Campbell was 4-for-4 in extra-point kicks.
Grimsley completed 5-of-10 passes for 110 yards.
Fitch averts shutout
Fitch averted a shutout when senior running back Dane Stilgenbauer plowed one yard to a TD early in the fourth period to cap a 75-yard, six-play march.
Senior running back Taylor Edwards led the Falcons' ground attack with 94 yards rushing in 23 carries, while Stilgenbauer added 79 yards in 21 hauls.
McKinley coach Brian Cross said his defense was able to handle Fitch's offensive line this year.
"Their offensive line comes off the ball, and I didn't know if we could handle them. They did a good job of blocking last year, and we couldn't stop them," Cross said. "We stopped them on offense."
Cross said Morgan Williams has both speed and strength that helped him break Fitch tacklers.
"People don't realize how strong [Williams] is. He breaks tackles. He has speed and vision, but he is a lot stronger than you think," said Cross. "He can run the 40 in 4.5 seconds. He can pick them up and lay them down."
Kopp said Fitch didn't do a good job of tackling.
"We didn't do a good job of wrapping our tackles," Kopp said.
Offense bounced back
But he said his offense bounced back to move the ball in the second half because of better blocking.
"We were sustaining our blocks better and staying on them. There were four of five plays that could have made the difference in our offense," said Kopp.
McKinley compiled 364 total yards in 36 plays, including 254 yards rushing in 26 attempts and 11 first downs.
Fitch had 214 total yards in 56 plays, including 183 yards rushing in 51 attempts, and 10 first downs.
Senior quarterback Matt Ruble was 2-for-4 passing for 24 yards for the Falcons before being injured late in the third quarter toward the end of Fitch's scoring drive. Replacement Xavier Godoy was able to finish directing the scoring march and was 1-for-1 passing for 7 yards.
The Grimsley to Morgan TD pass came on the second play of the game, and the Bulldogs also scored the next time they got the ball on the second play when Williams raced 80 yards to his first score.
Then on the first offensive series of the second half with Fitch at its 26, McKinley's Brian Williams scooped up a fumble at the Falcons' 31 and went the distance.
Two offensive series later, Fitch mounted its long scoring drive to cut the deficit to 21-7.
However, Canton then struck back with a 70-yard, six-play scoring drive capped by Morgan Williams' 20-yard scoring dash.
 
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9/31/05

McKinley pulls away to beat Perry, 44-10

Saturday, October 1, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By Chris Beaven Repository sports writer
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Repository / Ray Stewart McKinley defensive end D.C. Alexander (25) makes one of his three sacks of Perry quarterback Mike Fach in Friday’s game at Perry Stadium. The Bulldogs won 44-10, as the defense made eight sacks to help them improve to 6-0.
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H.S. FOOTBALL SCORES

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PERRY TWP. — They got smacked around a bit. They turned the ball over too many times. And they faced their first deficit of the high school football season.

Finally, in Week 6, it looked like the McKinley Bulldogs would get pushed to their limit Friday at Perry Stadium.

But by the end of the third quarter — after an impressive response to a challenge from Perry — the Bulldogs were back to their dominating ways en route to a 44-10 win.

“We needed a game like this,” said McKinley head coach Brian Cross, whose team is ranked No. 3 in Division I. “They really challenged us there.

“It’s good to be in a game where people smack you. And Perry really hit us. But we responded, and our kids smacked back.”

McKinley junior quarterback Dan Grimsley threw a career-high three touchdown passes, two to Joe Morgan. Senior fullback Mike Kirksey added his first three-TD game, all on short runs. And the defense came up with eight sacks, including three by end D.C. Alexander.

McKinley (6-0, 4-0) maintained its half-game lead over Jackson and North Canton Hoover in the Federal League by scoring touchdowns on four straight possessions to break open a tight game.

“Our kids really fought hard,” Perry head coach John “Spider” Miller said. “We hit them. They hit us, too. That’s just a darn good football team. They’ve got the whole package.”

When Perry turned McKinley’s third turnover of the first half into a touchdown with 36 seconds left in the half, the Bulldogs led only 17-10. Perry’s 10 points were the first scored against McKinley in the first half this season.

The Bulldogs, though, quickly did what they do best. They came up with a big play.

Grimsley looked off a safety to his left and fired a pass nearly 40 yards to his right. Morgan made the catch as he collided with a defender, and sprinted away for a 65-yard TD.

“When we scored right before the half, I thought it kind of took a little wind out of their sail,” Cross said.

McKinley took all the wind out of Perry’s sail by scoring the first three times it touched the ball in the second half. The Bulldogs opened the second half with the ball, driving 74 yards in eight plays for a 1-yard TD by Kirksey.
“I thought that drive put an end to it,” Cross said.

If it didn’t, the next drive did. Mark Jackson came up with an interception three plays later, leading to a 48-yard scoring drive. Grimsley capped it with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Darius Williams.

Grimsley finished 7-for-11 passing for a career-high 176 yards, with the three TDs and one interception. He also rushed for 41 yards, another career best.

“I thought he was real patient,” Cross said. “He waited for his receivers to get open, and then delivered the ball where it was needed.”

Grimsley also continued to work magic with Morgan, a senior receiver. He threw TD passes of 61 and 65 yards to Morgan, who had five catches for 163 yards, both career-high figures. Grimsley has thrown 10 TD passes to Morgan, with eight of those covering at least 45 yards.

“He throws the long ball really well,” Cross said. “And you can see the maturation process for him. The game’s slowing down for him, and he’s reading coverages. He’s becoming a heckuva a quarterback.”

McKinley junior tailback Morgan Williams added 147 yards on 19 carries, pushing him over 1,000 yards on the season. But those yards did not come easy.
“Perry was very physical,” Cross said.

A McKinley first-quarter turnover led to a Perry field goal. Josh Greaves hit from 22 yards with 5:06 left in the first, giving McKinley its first deficit of the season. The Bulldogs answered with three straight scores, including a career-long 39-yard field goal by Zack Campbell, for a 17-3 lead midway through the second quarter.

But when McKinley committed its third turnover, an interception, Perry was back in business at the Bulldog 25. Mike Fach’s 9-yard TD pass to Steven Ehret with 36 seconds left gave the Panthers hope that an upset might be brewing.

Instead, Morgan’s 65-yard catch and run soon turned the game around.
“That’s what they do every game,” Miller said. “They’ve got guys that come up with those big plays. No one’s stopped them yet.”
You can reach Repository writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: [email protected]
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10/6/05


Cross: Bulldogs can’t overlook Boardman

Thursday, October 6, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By CHRIS BEAVEN

CANTON Twenty-four years as a head high school football coach gives Brian Cross a good feel for when to take it easy on his team in practice.

That time arrived Monday for the state-ranked Bulldogs, who host Boardman Saturday night at 7:30 at Fawcett Stadium. They were coming off a convincing but physical win, so Cross backed things off just a bit.

The Bulldogs lifted weights, watched film, then called it a day.

“I wanted to try to give our kids a chance to re-energize,” Cross said. “And it showed in our practice (Tuesday). We had a pretty spirited practice, which was good to see.”

With the regular season heading into its stretch run — and McKinley facing some upcoming challenges — Cross knows he needs to keep his Bulldogs fresh.

“We’re definitely going to be in games that will be pressured-packed,” he said. “We’re going to need all the energy we can get. We’ll need our best effort.”

In weeks to come, 6-0 McKinley will see the other top teams in the Federal League (Jackson and North Canton) and its fiercest rival (Massillon). Jackson and North Canton are 5-1. Massillon is 6-0 and ranked one spot behind the No. 3 Bulldogs in the Division I state poll.

Cross knows this week’s game with 1-5 Boardman is a classic dangerous game that can’t be overlooked. The Spartans had lost 19 straight before beating Lake last week. McKinley beat them 45-0 last year.

Do not expect Cross to mention any of that to his Bulldogs.

“This is a team that’s getting better and better,” he said. “... You’ve got to talk about the different things they’re going to do offensively and defensively, that if we’re not sharp and focused, will give us some problems.”

McKinley has faced few problems this season. Last week was the first time the Bulldogs trailed and first time they allowed a first-half point. Still, they won easily, 44-10 at Perry. Their closest call was 28-7 the previous week at Austintown Fitch. Their other four wins have been thorough dominations.
McKinley has 21 touchdown plays of 30 or more yards.

Tailback Morgan Williams averages 13.2 yards per carry. Receiver Joe Morgan averages 33.1 yards per catch. Quarterback Dan Grimsley has thrown 11 TD passes, 10 to Morgan. The Bulldogs have scored on fumble returns, kickoff returns and punt returns.

Make a mistake, and their speed kills.

Grimsley and Morgan have hooked up for a TD pass of 45 or more yards eight times, including two of more than 60 yards last week.

“We’ve completed the long ball more often than probably any other team I’ve had with the exception of 1999,” Cross said, referring to a Grove City team he guided to a 10-0 season. “When you complete the long ball it’s big play, it’s exciting, and it makes your running game better. People have to start backing off a bit and scheme to defend your long pass. ... Now, they’ve got to defend everything.”

It remains to be seen if McKinley can continue to break big plays with such regularity. Things will get tougher. Cross is focused on is making sure his Bulldogs maintain the same attitude they have had throughout the season.
“We’ve played with great intensity the first six weeks,” he said, “and we want to make sure we continue to do that.”

Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail [email protected]
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10/9/05

McKinley stays unbeaten

Sunday, October 9, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By CHRIS BEAVEN
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RAY STEWART McKinley’s William Sheeler (4) and Mike Kirksey sack Boardman quarterback Joe Bako.
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CANTON
A disgusted Brian Cross walked off the soaked artificial turf at Fawcett Stadium late Saturday night.
His expressionless face said plenty as he entered the locker room.

No, his state-ranked McKinley High School football team did not suffer its first loss of the season. The Bulldogs didn’t even come close to losing, beating Boardman, 28-7.

But Cross was not a happy head coach, and over the next 10 minutes he let his team know.
“Everyone’s patting them on the back right now,” Cross said. “But our toughest games are coming up. We have to be mentally prepared to play next week. And we have to come out with intensity.”

McKinley (7-0, 5-0) remains one of three teams unbeaten in Federal League play. The Bulldog plays the other two teams — Jackson and North Canton — on the road the next two Fridays.

Saturday’s numbers paint a mismatch. Boardman (1-6, 1-3) only avoided the shutout by scoring in the last minute. The Bulldogs outgained the Spartans, 384-162, with 60 of Boardman’s yards coming on its last two plays.

But what frustrated Cross was McKinley’s three fumbles, one interception, several dropped passes and countless mental mistakes by the offensive line.
“We just did not play with any intensity at all offensively,” Cross said. “Defensively, we were still flying around to the ball. ... But offensively, we had no intensity.”

McKinley’s offense was minus one of its top playmakers. Senior receiver Joe Morgan, who has 10 TD catches, sat out with an injury.

“That hurt,” Cross said. “But Harriel Moore filled in pretty well, and Brian Williams filled in pretty well. The weather being the way it was made it hard to throw the ball, too. And we dropped some passes.”

McKinley’s line had troubles with Boardman’s ever-changing defensive looks.
“They were changing defensive fronts nearly every single play,” Cross said. “And I think that made us hesitant coming off the ball, instead of ... boom, coming off the ball with intensity.”

“... But if you’re focused you pick up the defensive changes, and you come off the ball. And if you’re focused you don’t drop the ball.”
McKinley was held scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season. And it wasn’t until the last 6 1/2 minutes of the first half that the Bulldogs finally got untracked. They scored three TDs in the final 5:53 of the half.

Tailback Morgan Williams, who had 176 yards, got things going when he got loose for 51 yards. However, he fumbled the next play.

Boardman immediately fumbled the ball back, as Jeremy Holloway recovered at the 9. McKinley went to a little trickery on the ensuing play. Quarterback Dan Grimsley faked a give to Williams to the right, and took off around left end on a bootleg, scoring untouched.

A shanked Boardman punt two minutes later put the Bulldogs back in business at the Spartan 40.

On first down, Grimsley again faked a handoff before launching a 39-yard pass to Moore. Three plays later, fullback Mike Kirksey scored from the 1.
The Bulldogs got the ball back twice more in the final 2:24 of the half, scoring the second time. They took over at their 33 with six seconds left.

Williams took off on a 67-yard TD run, weaving his way through the entire defense and running through six tackles.

“That was big,” Cross said. “But usually that takes the wind out of a team. But Boardman kept on fighting and fighting.”

And McKinley never showed the intensity Cross wants to see on a daily basis.

“Maybe our kids we’re looking to their next game,” he said. “But it’s the first time that we played with a complete lack of intensity.”
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail
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10/13/05

McKinley at Jackson

SITE Fife Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS McKinley 7-0, 5-0; Jackson 6-1, 4-0.

LAST WEEK McKinley 28, Boardman 7; Jackson 38, Perry 12.

LAST MEETING McKinley won 28-0 last year.
WHAT TO WATCH Expect plenty of big hits in the Federal League’s first big showdown of the season. Hanging on to the ball will be quite important. “The big thing is the turnovers and not giving up field position,” Jackson coach Phil Mauro said. McKinley has lost 12 fumbles, a big concern for coach Brian Cross. The Bulldogs are minus-1 in giveaway/takeaways. Jackson is plus-7. “We’re going to have to beat them,” Cross said. “They’re not going to beat themselves.” Mauro’s biggest concern in defending McKinley is preventing the big play. Eighteen times, the Bulldogs have scored on an offensive play of 30 or more yards. Jackson’s defenders must make tackles when they get their chances. “We have to do a good job of not giving up the big play,” Mauro said. “You’re going to give up a score or two, but we have to make them earn it.” Junior TB Morgan Williams averages 169 yards per game and is good for one or two long runs a night. “He’s a strong runner,” Mauro said. “He does a good job breaking tackles and cutting against the grain. You don’t want to overpursue him and get out of position.” McKinley’s offense struggled some last week, and part of that can be attributed to the absence of WR Joe Morgan. He was out with an injury but is expected back Friday. He has caught 10 TD passes from Dan Grimsley. Jackson also boasts threats running and passing. Senior RB James Craven is among the area’s best. “Craven runs the ball extremely hard,” Cross said. Sophomore RB Carlin Isles has tremendous speed. Junior QB Brett Stefan is coming on strong as a first-year starter. “The quarterback is very accurate throwing the football, and if you don’t defend him running, he’ll hurt you,” Cross said. Stefan has shown the ability to spread the ball around, with WR Brandon Bomar his top big-play threat. “They’ve got more speed than they’ve had at the skill positions the last couple of years,” Cross said. “They’re using that speed by spreading you out and running more things.”
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</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Canton McKinley's Morgan Williams finds an opening against Jackson High School Friday October 14, 2005 at Robert Fife Stadium in Jackson Township. (Akron Beacon Journal/Jocelyn Williams)

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</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Canton McKinley's Morgan Williams is face masked by Jackson's Michael Bartuseck Friday October 14, 2005 at Robert Fife Stadium in Jackson Township. (Akron Beacon Journal/Jocelyn Williams)

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</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Canton McKinley's Morgan Williams feels the pull of the Jackson High School defense during first half action Friday, October 14, 2005 at Robert Fife Stadium in Jackson Township. (Akron Beacon Journal/Jocelyn Williams)
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10/15/05

McKinley stops Bears, grabs share of title after Hoover loss

Saturday, October 15, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By CHRIS BEAVEN
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repository bob rossiter McKinley junior Morgan Williams heads upfield past Jackson senior Dustin Lindeman in Friday’s game at Fife Stadium. Williams rushed for 183 yards and two touchdowns in McKinley’s 38-10 win.
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JACKSON TWP. - The next big play never seems to be too far away from the McKinley High School football team.
The Jackson Polar Bears became the latest to find that out.

The Bulldogs broke open Friday’s Federal League showdown with the unlikeliest of big plays — a 98-yard fumble return for a score. Safety Harriel Moore forced the fumble and defensive end D.C. Alexander returned it, highlighting McKinley’s 38-10 romp.

“The first thing (McKinley linebacker) Mike Kirksey said at halftime was we need to make a play, we need to score a defensive touchdown,” Alexander said. “He said it was our job to get it done, and we did.”

The Bulldogs, ranked No. 4 in Division I, improved to 8-0, 6-0 in the league. They are guaranteed at least a share of their first Federal League title because of North Canton’s loss Friday.

A standing-room-only crowd of 8,000 filled Fife Stadium for the league’s first big matchup of the season. It became a rout, though, when a lengthy Jackson drive to make things interesting turned into a game-breaking play for McKinley.

“It was a two-touchdown game, and I didn’t feel comfortable,” McKinley head coach Brian Cross said.

The Bears began the third quarter trailing, 24-10, and with zero momentum. They began to change that by driving the field. They converted three third downs and one fake punt. Star tailback James Craven was finally getting the ball, and quarterback Brett Stefan was making some big throws.
A 78-yard TD drive appeared to be in the making. Then came the drive’s 19th play, a give to Craven from the Bulldog 4. McKinley’s big play had arrived.

Moore popped the ball free, and Alexander scooped it up and went 98 yards untouched with defensive back Brian Williams as his escort. It was McKinley’s 20th scoring play of 30 or more yards.

“I saw it and grabbed it at the sideline, and I was just trying to stay in bounds,” Alexander said. “The only thing I was thinking was, ‘Take it to the house. Put points on the board for us.’ ”

When Zack Campbell added the PAT, McKinley’s lead was 31-10 with 3:13 left in the third quarter. Jackson’s hopes for an upset were dashed.

“They have so much talent,” Jackson coach Phil Mauro said. “You can’t turn it over against them. And we throw a pick, which was a big play in the first half. It gave them a short field to work with. And then we have the fumble.”

McKinley made its usual assortment of big plays in the first half to take control.

Tailback Morgan Williams scored twice, once on a dazzling 30-yard run.

Senior receiver Joe Morgan caught a 25-yard TD pass.

“They’re the real deal, both of them,” Mauro said.

The first half also featured a number of mistakes. The Bears hurt themselves with seven penalties for 57 yards and the interception. They Bulldogs had a special teams mishap, a missed field goal, three fumbled snaps (they recovered all three), and a penalty that wiped out a TD.
A botched McKinley punt set up the game’s first score, a 33-yard field goal by Jackson’s Jon Oberhauser.

McKinley answered with an 80-yard TD drive. The drive ended when Dan Grimsley threw a 25-yard TD pass to Morgan on a quick slant with 4:17 left in the first quarter.

Moore intercepted a pass at the Jackson 18 three plays later, setting up a 5-yard TD run by Williams.

Before McKinley could turn this into their sixth first-half blowout, Jackson regrouped. The Bears drove 79 yards. Craven scored on a 25-yard run with 36.2 seconds left in the quarter.

McKinley’s defense did not allow a first down the rest of the half, while the Bulldogs added to their lead. Williams scored on a run and Campbell hit a field goal. Williams’ TD was a 30-yard run where he spun away from a tackle and stiff-armed another defender. He finished with a career-high 24 carries for 183 yards.

“Morgan ran with a tremendous amount of heart tonight,” Cross said. “It’s nice to see him be as physical as he was. He wouldn’t give up.”

Jackson (6-2, 4-1) went to work in the third quarter to make things interesting. But even backed against their goal line, the Bulldogs remained confident.

“We had to keep our heads up,” Alexander said, “and make a play.”
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: [email protected].
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10/26/05

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Countdown to McKinley-Massillon: McKinley’s Williams attacks Pups’ record book

Wednesday, October 26, 2005 By Chris Beaven Repository sports writer
26fbmckinley23.jpg

Repository Ray Stewart RECORD RUNNER McKinley High School junior tailback Morgan Williams continues to make his mark in the school’s football record book with his 2005 performance.
​

Related Stories
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Countdown to McKinley-Massillon: Williams remedy? Massillon’s defense looks for one

Bulldogs her team since 1942



CANTON - A big play never seems too far away when Morgan Williams gets the football.
Give the McKinley High School junior tailback room to run and the highlight reel begins to roll. He can run through, by or spin away from defenders, maybe dragging them for a few extra yards.
McKinley fans saw this show last year from Ryan Brinson. They are getting a sequel this season from Williams, who has helped McKinley to a 9-0 record.
“I’ve just ... tried to run the best I could,” Williams said.
His best has produced 1,701 yards on 146 carries with 22 touchdowns. Fourteen of his TDs have come on plays 30 yards or longer.
When McKinley meets Massillon at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fawcett Stadium, Williams will be the Bulldogs’ go-to guy.
Brinson played that role last year, rewriting McKinley’s record book. He graduated with career, single-season and single-game rushing records.
Over the course of nine games, Williams has left his own mark. His yardage total this season is second all-time at McKinley only to Brinson’s 2,405 a year ago. Williams tied Brinson’s single-game record of 335 yards last week at Hoover.
“I tried not to think about (replacing Brinson),” Williams said. “... I’ve tried to come in and play the best I can.”
Williams called it “an honor” to have his name already in the McKinley record book. “It won’t hit me until after the season’s over.”
Williams did have jitters in the team’s only scrimmage against Strongsville. But once the season began, the jitters were gone.
Williams gained 178 yards and scored four TDs on 12 carries in his first start, a 49-20 romp over Toledo Start. He had a 90-yard TD run.
More long TD runs have followed: 49 yards vs. Waterdown, 82 and 60 vs. Lake, 74 vs. GlenOak, 80 vs. Fitch, 67 vs. Boardman, and 67 and 65 vs. North Canton. He also has a 91-yard kickoff return and a 44-yard punt return for scores.
Williams has rushed for more than 100 yards in every game, averaging 189.0 yards.
“Really it’s all about the linemen and the job they’re doing,” Williams said.
McKinley’s line features tackles Jarrid Haywood and Zach Slagle, guards Anthony Robinson and Tyrell McDonald, center Drew McIntyre and tight end Dejuan Dickerson.
McKinley head coach Brian Cross said the line along with Williams and the coaches have grown together in the team’s zone-blocking scheme.
“It’s kind of new to our staff,” Cross said. “We ran it a little last year, but we’ve gotten more involved with it this year. It takes a lot of coaching ... a lot of repetition. The back has to read (the holes). Morgan is getting better and better at reading when to cut back and when to read the seam.”
The line play and outstanding downfield blocking by receivers Joe Morgan and Mark Jackson key the long runs.
And so does the all-around talent of Williams.
“He’s bigger than you think, stronger than you think, and he’s got good speed, not great speed,” Cross said. “He runs as fast as he has to.”
Williams has long strides, which creates the illusion of him not running as fast as others. At 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, Williams is not a physically imposing back.
“You come up and hit him,” Cross said, “and you’ll find out he’s tough to bring down.”
Williams learned from Brinson last season, watching him break long runs by running through designed seams and by finding cutback lanes.
He also saw how a run should be finished, with the ballcarrier delivering the blow.
“I don’t think anyone was better than Ryan Brinson at the end of the run,” Cross said. “He punished you. Morgan’s becoming that type of kid, too.”
Williams showed flashes of his ability last season. He returned kicks, saw limited action at defensive back and gained 313 yards on 49 carries, with a 97-yard TD vs. Perry.
“I got the feel for the varsity experience, the speed of the game,” Williams said. “It helped a lot.”
So did his experiences last season on the basketball team. He played significant minutes as a backup on a 26-1 team that won the Division I state title. “I know it’s possible,” Williams said, “to win a state championship if everybody is dedicated to doing it.” Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: [email protected]
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