ABERDEEN — For the past four years, Aberdeen High School’s Josh Williams has been pegged as a “dual-threat” quarterback, which means he is equally adept at running or passing the ball.
Last Friday against North Pontotoc in a Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A North State second-round playoff game at Ecru, the “dual-threat” wasn’t evident in that Williams managed less than 15 yards rushing.
But the senior more than made up for his meager rushing total by completing 16 of 20 pass attempts for what is believed to be a school-record 451 yards and four touchdowns in three quarters of play. His performance led Aberdeen (10-3) to a 66-30 victory and set up a matchup at 7 p.m. Friday against Kemper County (10-3).
For his accomplishment, Williams is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“We limited his rushing attempts because he has a slight groin pull and we didn’t want to take a chance on aggravating it any further,” Aberdeen coach Mark Bray said. “Besides, with Donte Carter handling the ground game and the way he (Williams) was throwing the ball around, we didn’t need him to run it all that much.”
Williams will be the first to admit he has a bevy of talented receivers — seven players caught at least one pass last week against the Vikings — as well as an offensive line that affords him plenty of time to throw.
“I’m surrounded by great athletes, both at receiver and on the line,” Williams said. “My receivers make me look good because they all can catch the ball and they have the speed to gain a lot of yards after the catch. And my line gives me the time I need to go through my progressions.”
As to his preference, running or passing, Williams said he enjoys throwing the ball best.
“Given my choice, I’d rather throw the ball because that’s my main job as quarterback,” Williams said. “I also enjoy running with the ball, and I’m not afraid of contact, but after I go through my progressions and nobody’s open, I’ll use my legs rather than my arm when I need to.”
A four-year starter under center, Williams has shown remarkable improvement since his freshman year.
“My first year was very difficult,” Williams said. “It was a hard to adjust to a new system, and I wasn’t as physically strong as I am now. Plus, a quarterback is supposed to be a team leader, but when you’re a freshman that’s hard to accomplish.”
Williams said Bray worked with him during the offseason to improve his mental approach to the game and his physical side.
“Coach Bray made sure there was plenty of studying on my part, and I also got stronger physically,” Williams said. “I was a lot more comfortable back there (at quarterback) as a sophomore. As a junior, he really helped my technique and I continued to get stronger.”
In a first-round playoff victory against North Panola, Williams was 16 of 16 for 129 yards in a 46-16 victory.
Going into the North Pontotoc game, Williams had accounted for almost 2,700 yards — 1,817 through the air — and 32 touchdowns. His record-setting night against the Vikings pushed his total offense over the 3,000-yard mark.
Bray said athletes like Williams don’t come along very often.
“Josh is one of those rare kids who is not only like a coach on the field but also the hardest worker on the team,” Bray said. “As the quarterback, he’s the team leader and you don’t have to say much to him. He just does what he has to do and the rest of the team, especially the younger ones, look up to him.
“He isn’t a real vocal-type leader, but he’ll step up and speak when it’s needed. Instead, he leads more by example and when the rest of the team sees how hard he works during the summer and during the season, they see what it takes to become a successful player.”
Williams relishes being a team leader.
“The best part of playing quarterback is the challenge of being a good leader,” Williams said. “As the quarterback, the rest of the team looks to you to make the plays necessary to win the game and it’s a real challenge to live up to their expectations.”
Despite his gaudy statistics, college recruiters haven’t swamped Williams’ household. He has offers from Itawamba Community College and from Northeast Mississippi C.C.
“A lack of height is his biggest drawback,” said his father, Terry, who played for Aberdeen High in the 1970s. “College coaches aren’t looking for quarterbacks under 6 feet. Wherever he does go, I’ll guarantee you he’ll outwork everybody.”
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