Running back Zier Williams ready to carry bigger load for Deer Lakes
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Monday, August 12, 2024 | 9:12 PM
Deer Lakes’ Zier Williams works out during the during the first day of football practice Monday.
Deer Lakes’ Zier Williams catches a pass during the first day of high school football practice Monday.
Deer Lakes’ Zier Williams looks for running room during the first day of high school football practice Monday.
Deer Lakes’ Zach Grant works out during the first day of football practice Monday.
Deer Lakes quarterback Jack Fleischer throws a pass during the first day of practice Monday.
Deer Lakes’ Zier Williams works out during the first day of practice Monday.
Deer Lakes’ Sam Guthrie looks on during the first day of football practice Monday.
Deer Lakes’ Zach Grant works out during the first day of football practice Monday.
Zier Williams was the workhorse of the Deer Lakes running game last year and helped the Lancers make playoff history.
He collected 1,147 yards and 13 touchdowns on 188 carries as Deer Lakes secured its first WPIAL playoff home game and also made a statement with a 30-point rout of Southmoreland for the program’s first playoff victory.
Despite some key figures from the offense lost to graduation, Williams feels that the unit as a whole, and he specifically, have put the pieces in place to rise to contend for more postseason laurels.
Williams said he was pleased with what he accomplished his junior season, but he’s not satisfied.
“Last year, I put up good numbers and was happy that I was able to help the team win games, but I know my best games are ahead of me,” he said.
“We’re looking to run a little bit more, so I am really happy about that. So I know what I need to do to help this offense. I have a goal of approaching 2,000 (yards), and I know that is possible with the guys around me and if I can stay healthy.”
Williams said he dedicated himself in the offseason, and the result was 15 pounds of muscle added. At 200 pounds, he feels he’s stronger and also quicker.
“I trained every morning, waking up at about 6,” he said. “Some days I had two trainings. I made sure I got four or five lifts a week, and I’ve just been running. It was nothing too crazy, but I can really see and feel the difference.
“Now, I feel I am more agile, and I can cut better. When I went against a defense last year, I had a bit of trouble staying low and also not making a cut when I needed to. This year, I feel like I am there, and I expect to be a much better runner.”
Coach Tim Burk said Williams’ work will pay dividends for him and for the team.
“Zier’s really taken on that role of leader, both with his words and with his actions on the field. We’ve had many conversations with him that he’s going to be the guy,” Burk said. “He’s a guy we’re going to lean on. He’s going to have the workload, and he’s been mentally preparing for that. I think he is excited for that challenge. He is so strong and powerful. Trying to tackle him once, twice, or three times, that’s going to start wearing on defenders.”
Williams feels he also will factor into the passing game a little more this season. Last year, he complemented graduates Ryan Cochran, Wayne Love and current senior Zach Grant with 10 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown.
“We put some plays in where I am going out for routes and making plays,” Williams said. “People might not know that I used to play receiver, so it’s not something uncommon to me. Any way I can help the team win, I am ready to do it.”
Williams said the offense gets going up front in the trenches, and he is confident that an experienced Deer Lakes offensive line will help him get the job done and also make the offense as a whole a productive unit.
“I am so confident in them,” he said. “They tell me to just follow them. That is what I am going to do all year. I am going to follow them, just like last year. They’ve been training so hard, and we’re ready.”
Williams also will play a role on defense for the first time at defensive end.
“Coach saw my speed and strength and that I am a ball-first guy where I can beat that tackle and make a play in the backfield,” he said. “I’m grateful they’re giving me the chance to see what I can do.”
Williams said that while it’s full speed ahead with this season, it’s also nice to be able to recall 2023, one in which the Lancers capped their season at 8-4 with a trip to the WPIAL quarterfinals.
“It was amazing seeing our community come out and get excited and support us,” he said. “To see where we came from, all the tough seasons, it made all the hard work and dedication that much more meaningful. Nobody expected us to make the second round. Everyone was together working hard. It was snowing one day at practice, but we didn’t care. We were having fun because we were out there working for something special.
“With our home playoff game, we had to show out for our community and make them proud.”
Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.
Tags: Deer Lakes
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