9/29/17

     Jayden Williams is a football superstar in the valley, along with other core seniors. Starting this 2017 campaign with a 6-0 start has shocked local football after a 4-7 year last season. Williams’ performance Friday night at Bridgeforth stadium, which he is ranking as his favorite high school game, can be described as calm, smart, and professional. Watching my friend and classmate handle his business on the biggest football stage of his life with total class and composure was inspiring to watch. This 17 year old played the best football game of his life on a division 1 field with bright lights and loud noises, and he stood out. Coach Girolmo had talked to his players throughout the week about the atmosphere they were entering. Jayden came with one task-- and that was to win the football game. As a fan, I was nervous watching my peers walk out onto what will be for most the largest field of their lives. However, as soon as the whistle blew, the anxiety went away and they were back to playing the sport they love. At 7:37, Jayden faked a handoff to his running back and sprinted through a gap created by the offensive line for our first touchdown.  The quarterback had complete trust in his teammates, telling me how easy he has had it, with players like Kavon Robertson, Tre’ Simmons, Matthew Larson, and Garrett Lawler on his offense. Our offensive line could not be sacked on friday night. At 8:41, the snap was from the 39 yard line, Kavon Robertson cut perfectly to beat his coverage and watch an over the shoulder pass for a touchdown; Jayden described this as his favorite touchdown of the game. His patience in the pocket was noticeable all night-- he would take a step back, examine his options, and make the right play every single time. This wasn't William's first trip to Bridgeforth, as he grew up going to former Leemen (future hall of famer) DeQuan Scott’s football games while he was a superstar Dukedog. When asked about his future with basketball and football, Jayden calmly replied saying, “It is something he is patient about and has been talked about, his current focus is to get the state tournament.”  Jayden would go on to have two more rushing touchdowns in the first half, the second being a 30 yard run.  As halftime began, I remember the setting-- the lights and loud music, looking down at my stat sheet and starting to realize how impressive of a night Williams was having.  Jayden credits his cool demeanor to his previous State Championship-winning season as starting point guard for the Lee High School basketball team. He told me before the game that he thought to himself how he has played in big games at Jmu before, and this was not his first big stage. A Lee sports memory I will always have is our basketball quarter final versus Gate city. Deep in the fourth, Jayden was tasked with delivering the game winning free throws, he did his same routine, and as always, and made both. As I said earlier, this guy's professional. Lee would go on to have a dominating second half, with Jayden being involved in two more touchdowns. Williams jokingly told me that he prefers defense to offense. His coach knew that, and allowed him to play a down as a corner in the third. I asked Jayden why he would do this a he replied, “I wanted to give them (Lee defense) a break”. With our most challenging game yet coming up against Luray, I have no worries of Jayden and our boys stepping up to the plate. They focus on winning--  that was clear after watching Friday night’s game.