With powerhouses like JaMarkus McFarland and Shaquille Teel as Lufkin's starting defensive tackle last season, Lufkin's Desron Williams had to work his hardest just to get onto the field.
Now with those two having moved on, Williams has gotten the chance to be one of the team's starting tackles. And with the season winding down, there is no doubt he has made the most of the opportunity.
Joel Andrews/The Lufkin Daily News |
Lufkin's Desron Williams, left, and Randolph Moreland prepare to make a play during a Sept. 18 game against the Longview Lobos. Williams has been one of the Panthers' leading tacklers this season. Lufkin plays at Oak Ridge on Friday night at 7:30.
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The senior defensive tackle is tied for fourth on the team in tackles. His presence in the middle has also made Lufkin a formidable defense once again.
"As a freshman and sophomore, I would have never dreamed that he would be a 5A defensive tackle," Lufkin head coach John Outlaw said. "He was always a good athlete, but was really just too small. He worked his tail off and got some valuable playing time last year, although he wasn't the starter. And now he's been a very important part of this year's team."
Williams has adjusted well to his role as a starting defensive tackle as he has 39 tackles, including eight for losses, at a position on Lufkin's defense that usually doesn't lead to big numbers.
He has also established himself as one of the leaders for the Panthers.
"Last year JaMarkus was more of the leader so I could just be more laid back and learn more of what I'm doing," Williams said. "He was all about heart and fighting to keep the team in the game. I learned a lot from him and I'm trying to be a leader now that I'm the one that's a senior."
Williams' role on the defensive line is often to draw double teams and to attract extra offensive linemen in order to free up some of his teammates.
But whether he's making tackles or giving teammates extra opportunities, Williams has been solid throughout the season.
"My main role is to anchor down the middle of the line and contain my area," Williams said. "What I love about playing on the defensive line is getting to hit somebody on just about every play."
Coming into the season, Lufkin's biggest question mark was on the defensive line, due to losing all four starters.
But Outlaw said Williams and Blade Wise-Perry, the team's other starting defensive tackle, bring a different dimension to this year's team.
"Last year JaMarkus (McFarland) and (Shaquille) Teel were big guys that drew a lot of attention but didn't make a whole lot of tackles," Outlaw said. "Desron and Blade are smaller, but they are quick and they've made a lot of tackles."
Lufkin's tandem of starting defensive tackles has combined for 76 tackles through nine games this season.
But for now Williams isn't focused on his individual stats with the playoffs starting next week. After missing out on a chance at a district title, Lufkin will look to erase those memories with an extended playoff run.
"That one hurt to lose Friday," Williams said of the 31-21 setback to The Woodlands. "But we can't do anything about that anymore. We can just go out in the playoffs and use that game as some extra motivation."
