Elco's Williams explodes for 5 TDs vs. Annville-Cleona in Thursday night special
After an impressive Week 1 showing, rushing for 234 yards on eight carries, what would Elco senior running back Jake Williams do for an encore?
How about rush for a new single-game school record 320 yards on 21 carries to go along with five touchdown carries in a 49-7 victory against Annville-Cleona.
Talk about an encore.
Williams scored on carries of 25, 47, 15, 20 and 12 yards -- all in the second quarter -- as the Raiders (2-0) broke open a scoreless tie after one quarter to lead 35-7 at the half.
"We have a nasty team, and they give it their all and the blocking was super good (tonight)," said Elco's Williams on what sparked his performance.
Jake Williams again. This time from 20. Breaks several tackles along the way. 28-7 Elco with 7:03 left in 2nd Q. pic.twitter.com/RPMVdJYUUY
— Andy Mease (@asmease) August 31, 2023
The previous Elco record was Williams' own, which he set in Week 7 last season when he ran for 319 yards against Octorara. The Little Dutchmen (1-1), who were without the services of leading rusher Bryce Keller, were unable to respond to Williams and the Raiders, outside of a 61-yard Tim Montijo touchdown run that briefly cut the deficit to 14-7 early in the second quarter.
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End of the rivalry?
The Little Dutchmen and the Raiders have played each other nearly every season for quite some time. That will be different next year as Elco has decided to play Northern Lebanon in Week 2 to renew that Lebanon County rivalry for at least the next two-year cycle.
Key play
Shortly after taking a 21-7 lead, the Raiders defense forced a fumble and recovered it on the Little Dutchmen 20-yard line. Williams scored on the very next play to break the game wide open.
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By the numbers
Elco outgained Annville-Cleona, 442-151, and also had a 22-6 advantage in first downs.
Jake Williams makes it 5. He rumbles in from 12-yards out. Elco leads 35-7 with 1:53 left in the half. pic.twitter.com/xUPSu1T7M2
— Andy Mease (@asmease) August 31, 2023
Unsung heroes
The Raiders line controlled both sides of the ball, opening up lanes for Williams to run through while shutting down the Little Dutchmen attack.
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They said it
"There's gonna be Jake Williams' case of yards, but it's not just his yards; this is everybody's, man. These guys did a phenomenal job." - Elco head coach Bob Miller
What's next
Elco will host Columbia next week on Friday while the Little Dutchmen will take the long trip to Littlestown. Both are the final non-league games for each team.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Elco football's Jake Williams scores 5 TDs in rout of Annville-Cleona
