Smyrna’s D.J. Williams ready to avenge losses
SMYRNA – There has certainly been plenty of talk about the Smyrna offense going to a more up-tempo style this season to try and offset some of their size deficiencies up front.
Senior D.J. Williams may be District 7-AAA’s best cornerback. The lock-down defender, who had 46 tackles and six interceptions a season ago, has had success against the up-tempo offenses on the defensive side and knows what it can bring to the Bulldogs for 2014.
“I really like it because it’s going to make the defense tired,” said Williams, a three-year player. “You never know what we’re going to be doing.”
And you never know where Williams could line up as part of the new offense. The defensive standout is also a slot receiver for the Bulldogs, and will occasionally jump into the role of quarterback.
“We’ve got different threats and that’s the best thing about the offense,” Williams said. “You never know who it’s going to go to, and anyone can make a play.”
There were not a lot of plays made by the Bulldogs after a 4-0 start to the 2013 campaign. Outside of 56-point days against La Vergne in the season opener and Stewarts Creek in Week 9, Smyrna was outscored 114-41 in the remaining four league games, and shutout 42-0 in a first-round playoff game against district rival Blackman.
“That’s been the big deal the past couple of years. We haven’t been able to beat the district teams,” Williams said of a 3-10 record against 7-AAA teams the last two seasons, including postseason losses. “All the Murfreesboro teams are the ones we haven’t been beating.”
Williams said there are plenty of ways that Smyrna can get it turned around against league teams, but one word certainly stood out in his mind more than any other.
“Not saying last year we weren’t physical, but this year we’re going to be more physical and play as a team with that chip on our shoulder,” Williams said.
To do that, Williams must be a leader for th eteam.
“I need him to step up more as a leader and become more of an example setter for his football team, and realize that everything he does affects how the other players play,” Smyrna coach Matt Williams said.
2014 SCHEDULE
Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
Aug. 21 | La Vergne | 7 p.m. |
Aug. 29 | at Cane Ridge | 7 p.m. |
Sept. 5 | Antioch | 7 p.m. |
Sept. 12 | at Clarksville NE | 7 p.m. |
Sept. 19 | Oakland | 7 p.m. |
Sept. 26 | Sycamore | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 3 | at Siegel | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 10 | Open | |
Oct. 17 | at Blackman | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 24 | at Stewarts Creek | 7 p.m. |
Oct. 31 | Riverdale | 7 p.m. |
2013 RESULTS
Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
Aug. 24 | at La Vergne | W 56-14 |
Aug. 30 | Cane Ridge | W 34-20 |
Sept. 6 | at Antioch | W 17-0 |
Sept. 13 | Clarksville NE | W 35-13 |
Sept. 20 | at Oakland | L 37-14 |
Sept. 27 | at Sycamore | W 44-14 |
Oct. 4 | Siegel | L 35-7 |
Oct. 11 | Open | |
Oct. 18 | Blackman | L 28-13 |
Oct. 25 | Stewarts Creek | W 56-13 |
Nov. 1 | at Riverdale | L 14-7 |
*Nov. 8 | at Blackman | L 42-0 |
*Playoff game
FAST FACTS
Coach: Matt Williams, seventh season (39-31, 39-31 overall)
2013: 6-5 overall, 2-4 in District 7-AAA
Starters returning: 4 offense/4 defense
Stadium name: Robert L. Raikes Stadium
Last time in playoffs: 2013, eliminated in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs (22-16 all-time in the playoffs).
Team Website: SmyrnaFootball.com
Follow on Twitter: @SmyrnaFootball