FOOTBALL PROFILE: The Player

Position: WR/TE/OLB

Year: Senior (Class of 2022)

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 187 pounds

Experience/accomplishments: 1 x letterwinner (2020); Team captain (2021)

2021 stats (thru 1 game): 9 receptions, 205 yards, 1 TD

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INTRODUCTION: The Personality

Q: Why did you choose your number?

“Well, first of all, I wanted to be number three but (Payton) Beyer already had that number. And then I wanted to be six — I basically wanted to be a single digit the whole time — but six was an XL jersey and it didn’t fit great. I guess five was actually my third option, but now it’s my favorite number so it’s all good.”

Q: What is your favorite uniform combination?

“I just like the all whites, top and bottom. We have black pants this year, too, so that will look cool.”

Q: Do you have any family connection to the OHS football program?

“Well, there’s my brother Matt — he played and graduated a couple years ago. Oh, and my dad (head coach Jeff Williams).”

Q: Are you involved in any other sports or activities?

“Baseball and basketball, that’s pretty much it.”

Q: Memorable phase frequently used by any coach:

“‘Next play, best play.’ That’s an Achterkirch classic.”

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QUESTION & ANSWER: The Person

Q: You were thrust into an elevated role last season when Matt Seykora went down with an injury in Week 4. What was that experience like and did it help you mature as a player?

“Honestly, going into (my junior season) I wasn’t thinking about being a starter (or) not being a starter. I just wanted to push and didn’t care about that. And then Matt got hurt. Obviously, it wasn’t good, and it probably wasn’t the best thing for the team, but it did give me a chance. I just ran with it and did what I could.”

Q: What is the difference in your mindset this year compared to last year?

“Last year I came in feeling like I had to fight for everything and now this year I feel like I have a spot right off the bat. It’s basically my spot to lose, I guess. Last year it was a lot different, but I still have to work just as hard this season, or even harder.”

Q: What does it mean to be a captain?

“I think the coolest part is that my teammates think of me as one of the leaders of the team. It’s special, but on the other hand, we are all part of the same team whether you’re a captain or not.”

Q: The core of the senior class has played together for a long time and has had some success on the field coming up through the ranks. What is it like to enter your final year together has teammates?

“Coming up through, our goal has always been to win a state championship. We didn’t lose many games through the years, so we have always thought that it’s a serious possibility that we could win it all, and now it’s here. We are going to try to make that happen.”

Q: You’ve had a busy offseason playing 7-on-7, attending camps and lifting weights. What are some of the things you wanted to refine in order to enhance your game coming into your final season?

“So, well, as a sophomore I was a little bigger. And then I grew a couple inches and sort of slimmed out and was on the skinnier side. But this offseason I have put on some mass, maybe 10 or 15 pounds. I think I might have grown a little compared to last year as well. I am just bigger, more athletic. I lifted more weights consistently this summer compared to last year.”

Q: Not many guys get the chance to play consistently on both sides of the ball and you have the opportunity to see lots of action on offense and defense. In your mind, what does it take to be a good two-way player?

“I guess I’m still figuring that out. Last year I only played both ways consistently in the final game of the season against Mayo and it was actually really hard for me. I wasn’t used to that. I was utilized quite a bit in the first half of the section championship game (against Mayo) and then as I played more on defense, I got a little tired. I just wasn’t really physically prepared for that. That’s why I have come into this season a lot more conditioned. I think that will help me be a more effective player on both offense and defense.”