Williams' return to lineup critical for Stags' offense

Robbie Williams is hardly the center of attention.

Oh, he does play center for the Berkeley Stags, but when it comes to high school football, offensive linemen don't get that much attention until a quarterback is sacked with the game on the line.

When Berkeley quarterback Bruce Ellington breaks off a long run from scrimmage or running back R.J. Robinson takes a short pass and turns it into a long touchdown, fans credit their speed and elusive moves for their touchdowns and success.

But Berkeley coach Jerry Brown begs to differ.

"Robbie and the rest of the offensive line, they're the reason for Bruce and R.J.'s success," said Brown. "They work hard and don't get their names in the newspaper. People don't know about them. But we do."

Centers are often referred to as the quarterbacks of the offensive line because they make the first line call, which lets the other linemen know the defensive formation, based on the position of the defensive linemen or linebackers in the gaps. The center's call usually makes or breaks a play, and Williams' judgment has been sound during the two years he has been a starter.

Williams is ready for tonight's Division II-AAAA state semifinal game against Berkeley County rival Goose Creek. The home game will be contested at 7:30 p.m. at Bonner Stadium. But there was a time this year when Williams thought his senior season -- everything he worked for and dreamed of -- was over. He suffered a knee injury in practice leading up to the fourth game of the season. He never gave up hope of returning to the football field. He managed to avoid surgery and returned in Week 8 against Beaufort, although his playing time was limited. He's back at full force tonight as the Stags bid to return to the state championship game for the first time since 1996, when the Stags topped Darlington in the title game.

"I'm glad to still be playing," said Williams, who at 6-0, 205 pounds is a bit undersized for a Class AAAA center. "I can still remember when I injured my knee. We were working on punt coverage and I was running downfield when I took a wrong step and somebody hit my knee and it popped: my left MCL. We didn't have an X-ray machine, so I didn't know what was going on. I didn't know if I would ever step out on a football field again. That's why I stress to the team to never take anything for granted, especially when you get to this level."

Williams was a sophomore when the Stags reached the Division II-AAAA state semifinals against Beaufort. The Eagles ended the Stags' dream of playing in a state championship with a 29-19 victory.

Last year, eventual state champ South Pointe blasted Berkeley 48-14 in the second round of the playoffs.

South Pointe plays Northwestern in the other state semifinal. Tonight's game in Moncks Corner ensures that one local team will be playing in the Weekend of Champions, which is slated for Dec. 4-5 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

"Ever since I've been here, Goose Creek and Summerville have been our main rivals," Williams said. "Goose Creek provides some good competition. They are well-coached and have some great athletes.

"Everybody just has to do their part," Williams added. "It's a big game and it's a little scary. But I'm ready to step up to the plate and take a swing."