Williams Looks to Lead Hurricane to State Championship

By Cade Carlton

For Tyson Williams, last season was a whirlwind of emotions. Williams entered the year as the number two quarterback on the depth chart, but due to a broken collarbone injury sustained by AJ Aycock in week two, Williams assumed the role of starting QB in week three, and never relinquished it. 

Williams, who split time with Aycock at QB his sophomore season, finished his junior campaign  going 153-220 (.695) for 37 passing touchdowns, an average of 3.7 per game. Williams helped the Hurricane air attack average nearly 285 yards per game. 

Williams’s great season sparked in-state schools to start in on recruiting him. Since taking over as the starting quarterback, Williams has received interest from Ouachita Baptist, Hendrix, Arkansas Tech, Arkansas Monticello and more. 

“I've had some interests from some instate schools, but, there is no really specific destination that I'm set to go to or anything like that,” Williams said. “For next year I feel like I need to make plays. I need to continue to get stronger, faster and better.”

Despite all of his success, and the team’s success on the field last year, it was ultimately a disappointment for Williams. The Hurricane defeated Pine Bluff in week six, 41-34, which was instrumental in cinching a regular season conference championship. Despite going 9-1 in the regular season, Jonesboro was ousted in the playoffs by Benton in their opening round game.

“I still remember the playoff game last year a lot,” Williams said. “We had a really, really good group of seniors last year and we were planning on going really far. We really wanted to do good for them. Just looking back on that loss and how heartbreaking it was, it just makes us want to work harder.”

“It's very important to me and our team to go out and win a state championship this year,” Williams continued.

Despite being the starter last year, Williams will still have to work to retain his position as Jonesboro’s starter this year. Although he will find a place in the starting lineup, even if it is not at the quarterback position, Williams credits lasts season as a big help to his confidence. He is fully confident he can be a successful starting QB this year if the opportunity arises. 

“I just need to keep doing what I'm doing,” Williams said. “I need to work hard, make plays and perfect our play book. If I'm not the guy, there has been talk about me playing receiver. Going back to last year, though, one thing that stood out to me was my confidence. I felt like it boosted a lot and I was never worried or nervous, because I felt like I could help us do whatever we needed to do in order to win. I think being able to play last year made me want to work harder.”

While Williams is working to maintain his starting position at quarterback, he also has his eyes on something else.

“My goal is definitely to be the starting quarterback for JHS,” Williams said. “But, I also want to become a captain, become a great leader and win ball games.”

As for becoming a captain for the Hurricane, it would be the ultimate honor for a member of the Jonesboro football team.

“We have a team vote,” Williams said. “Basically, there is just one day during the summer where we don't go to practice and we all go eat breakfast, and while we're there we all vote for 4 guys we think should be captains.”

As Williams looks ahead to the upcoming season, it is clear he has improved this offseason, thanks in large part to the Jonesboro coaching staff. 

“Coach Marty Riley, our quarterback coach is a person that I'm really close to, and I spend a lot of time with. He's a great coach that really cares about his players. Coach Coleman is also someone I spend a lot of time with. He's a great leader, great play caller, and a really good person.”

Looking ahead to this season, the Hurricane should be loaded on the offensive side of the ball again. Despite the loss of their top three receivers of Jonathan Adams (Arkansas State), Jakaylen Jackson and Courtney Orsby, the Hurricane still return some dangerous targets at wideout, along with Jake Slayton, who will move from receiver to running back this year. 

“Jake Slayton is our halfback,” Williams said. “He’s gonna be able to block for us, but he's also gonna be able to get out and catch some balls. Deshaun Fountain is a senior. He was a running back last year, but since we lost all of our receivers besides Jake, we had to make some changes. He is now going out to receiver, and I think he's gonna be really good. He's really fast and he runs good routes. Jeremiah Tobar, who is a junior, is pretty good. He is really athletic and there are not a lot of balls he isn't going to catch. He has the ability to go up and make spectacular plays.”

For Williams, he has been inspired by some great local and professional athletes to work hard and become the best at the sport he loves.

“Ty Huggins, who used to play basketball at Valley View, and is now a coach at Nettleton is someone I've really looked up to,” Williams said. “Tucker Hydrick, who played football and baseball at Valley View is also someone I look up to. I got to know him well my freshman year. As for professionally, Tom Brady is my all-time favorite professional player. He's the greatest of all time. I like the way he handles himself. He is really relaxed.”

Williams and the Hurricane will kick off the season on Aug. 31 at Centennial Bank Stadium against the Batesville Pioneers.