Loris’ Williams gaining experience, intensity each week ahead of Georgetown tilt
Ta’Jay Williams is smart enough to know better.
The Loris quarterback understands the Class AA playoff system, and that the Lions' chances in it won't be affected one iota by the team’s game Friday night at Georgetown. Losing to the Bulldogs, though, is not an option.
“The way we treat it is, if we lose, it’s going to [break] our season,” Williams said. “If you go into a game knowing it’s not going to hurt or what spot you’re going to get, your intensity is lower. If you go into it [saying] ‘this game can hurt us’ and the adrenaline is flowing, you will play better.”
Against undefeated Georgetown, some added intensity certainly won’t hurt. The Bulldogs have overcome an injury to their starting to quarterback to remain perfect, and most expect Bradley Adams’ team to compete for a home playoff game come November.
On the other side of the field, though, will be a Loris team suited with a quarterback who might eventually turn out to the best in coach Jamie Snider’s tenure, even if those discussions aren’t yet common.
Bennett Winslow, who started last season before heading to Presbyterian, set the Loris record for passing yards in a season (1,309). Mikel Soles, the 2012 starter, threw more than his predecessor but wasn’t as efficient as Williams has been. And Kentrez Hilton lit up the 2011 season by rushing for 938 yards and nine touchdowns.
In some ways, Williams is a combination of the three.
“If we call a pass and it’s not there and he’s got a lane to run, he’s going to take off and run,” Snider said. “But in the past, they would run at the first sign [of trouble]. Because of him, we’re running a little bit more of option stuff.”
The junior has been proficient with his legs, having already run for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s also completed more than half of his passes for 291 yards and six touchdowns.
His numbers could be even higher. The team has blown out its last two opponents and forced a second-half running clock. It’s prevented fans and opposing teams from seeing some of the big-time potential Loris players and coaches see in practice each day.
Be it a long pass play or run, Williams adds a bit of balance to the position Loris hasn’t had in some time.
“It’s an advantage for our team that we have a dual-threat quarterback,” Williams said. “A defense can’t stop one thing.”
Because of a strong running game that also includes Levi Moody (224 yards) and Stacy Dozier (210), Williams still isn’t considered the primary threat of this offense. And the Lions’ defense – one that has allowed an average of 3.5 points per game so far this season – overshadows pretty much anything on the other side of the ball.
That’s just fine with Snider.
The coach pointed out that Williams – an Early College student working toward a business degree – has the football acumen to match his academics. He’s the fourth quarterback in four seasons for Snider.
But already the coach is cutting Williams loose.
“He has the green light to get us out of bad play,” Snider said. “ He has a huge upside. I expect his arm strength to continue to improve and his confidence to continue [to grow].
“The beauty of it is, when this season’s over, he’s got a whole other season to develop.”
This story was originally published September 25, 2014 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Loris’ Williams gaining experience, intensity each week ahead of Georgetown tilt."