Jeremiah Williams slithers for four TDs in big win for Rancho Mirage
Desert Empire League opponents take note: Jeremiah Williams is coming for you with purpose, and at extremely high speeds.
By the Rancho Mirage junior back's own admission, he's "here to terrorize the DEL."
Behind a monster 208-yard, four-touchdown performance from Williams on Friday night, host Rancho Mirage closed out its non-conference high school football schedule in style with a 34-14 win over Chaffey High (Ontario).
"He's got great vision to see where the holes are and cut back," Rancho Mirage coach LD Matthews said. "A lot of credit goes to his line for creating those holes, but he's a special player and he's got a bright future if he continues to work and dedicate himself to the team."
After the visiting Tigers (0-5) took a 6-0 lead on their 17-play opening drive of the night (all runs), the Rattlers (2-2) responded with a 20-0 second quarter to distance themselves from the winless visitors.
Heading into conference play, Rancho Mirage already has matched its win total from last season, a campaign which saw one of its two wins come over Chaffey.
The stars
When Jeremiah Williams touched the ball Friday, good things happened for the Rattlers. Churning out his 208 ground yards on just 19 carries (10.9 yards per rush), a dozen of the junior back's touches resulted in either first downs or touchdowns. After tying the game at 6-6 early in the second quarter on a 10-yard running score, Williams burst for a 20-yard TD six minutes later to give Rancho Mirage a 13-6 edge. On the Rattlers' opening possession of the second half, Williams tallied his third TD of the night with a 16-yard dash, before ultimately saving his best for last with a 56-yard rush for score early in the final period.
Rattlers sophomore wideout Kobee Finnikin showed some serious grip when called upon in the opening half, grabbing six balls for 80 yards and a score.
The moment
Despite the easy outcome, the contest was still tight in the late stages of the opening half. After creating a turnover on downs with just over a minute to play, Rancho Mirage marched from its own 41-yard line to the Tigers' five with 13 seconds left in the half. As time neared expiration, Rattlers junior quarterback Yanni Padilla found Finnikin to his left side, and the receiver made a terrific catch near the pylon to give the hosts a 20-6 edge heading to halftime.
The chatter
Rattlers head coach LD Matthews on the performance: "We were much more disciplined tonight and executed our game plan. It comes down to our kids, and their caring about each other and caring about their responsibilities one play at a time."
Matthews on the team makeup as DEL season nears: "We've still got a lot of growing to do, but we have a lot of talented kids. We've got to become more of a team as we get into league; care more about each other than any other distractions or things going on. If we can come together and do that, we'll have a special league season."
Williams on the performance: "Honestly, after my first big run, I just saw that my offensive line was making their guys work, pushing them around."
Williams on his running characteristics: "I'm a smaller back (listed at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds), so I use that to my advantage. I see guys coming at me, and I make a move on 'em."
The takeaway
With 554 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through four games, Williams is off to a stirring start to the season. Can the speedster keep up that 138.5 yard/game clip? Well, in an atypical year for the DEL power structure, he'll no doubt have his chances. The Rattlers aren't without defensive talent, which should keep them in games early and allow Williams to get his touches, just as his ground skills no doubt will find aerial compliments via Rancho Mirage wideouts Finnikin and Jeremiah Johnson.
What's next
Rancho Mirage (2-2) will enjoy an off week before its DEL opener at Palm Springs on Sept. 29.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Jeremiah Williams runs for four TDs in big win for Rancho Mirage
