The Center of the Action

The focal point of any offense is the front line; most importantly, the center. At Glynn Academy in Brunswick, the job belongs to Michael Williams, easily identifiable by his #51, or, when his helmet is off, by his short, blonde-tipped dreads and big smile.

As the team’s center, nothing starts until he decides it starts. As the correct series of signals are called by quarterback Zach Lamper, Williams snaps the ball to the quarterback to set the play in motion. He has the dual role of snapping the ball and then blocking.  He must move in a particular path, depending on whether the play is a pass or run. The center also identifies blocking schemes and the rest of the line plays off of the center’s lead.

“He is one of the best leaders that we have on the team, and this is only his second year playing varsity football,” said Terrors’ Head Football Coach Rocky Hidalgo.

Although he played in middle school, Williams did not play his first two years in high school. He returned to football in 2013 and has worked hard to be the starting center. Being unable to play for two seasons put a strain on Williams, who had to play catch up when he returned to the team. But even after a two-year hiatus, Williams has progressed greatly from head to toe over the past two seasons. He has learned to use his head during the games.

“He is a very smart kid in the middle of the offensive line, and he calls our defensive fronts and sets the blocking schemes for us on the line of scrimmage,” Coach Hidalgo said.
 
Williams, a senior known to friends as “Dubbs,” can bench press 335 pounds and runs the middle of the line. The Glynn Academy Center has an innate ability to clear holes in the line for running backs. While learning to use his head may have been understandable, learning to use his feet was more difficult. The importance of footwork is usually considered in boxing to enable the combatants to attack or retreat as needed during a battle. If the one-on-one battle between an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman is thought of like a boxing match, then it is understandable how footwork can be important on the interior line. The maneuverability helps the lineman adjust against opponents, and it has been a point of emphasis during Williams’ workouts.

“He has really improved at getting his feet in the ground on that second step, which gives us that push on the offensive line,” Coach Hidalgo said.

Williams’ incredible improvement in his footwork is why he is being recognized as this month’s Most Improved Player. Williams says that much of his improvement has come from being more physical and by working on his pass protection skills.

“I’ve been working harder during the offseason and at practice.” Improvement on his pass protection skills has become especially important since the pass-heavy spread offense has been introduced at Glynn Academy. The coaches and scout team have been a big help in getting Williams to improve.

Naturally, for a lineman, his favorite part of the game is making contact with opponents. His goal this season is to make the All-Region First Team. Williams’ has a fondness for Italian food like pasta and pizza. He is also a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Oregon Ducks and would one day like to travel to Italy.

After graduation, he hopes to attend Armstrong or Mercer, but will probably not play sports. “I kind of want to go to college and major in physical therapy,” Williams said. “I want to concentrate on my school work.”

SE-MI-1014-Mike Williams
Southeast-Most Improved Player
Mike Williams
Glynn Academy
Brunswick, Ga
(W) Rob Asbell

The Center of the Action