Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Powerful Blue Ridge downs Williams

Over the past decade, Blue Ridge has established itself as the premier Class 3A football power, running up incredible winning streaks and state titles.

For the second straight year, Class 2A Williams took on the mighty Yellow Jackets with hopes of denting the Lakeside armor.

In Friday night’s game on the road, Williams did play with the Yellow Jackets early, controlling the ball, causing a turnover and trailing only 7-0 heading into the second quarter.

But Blue Ridge’s steamrolling offense got into gear in the second quarter and ended up with a 55-0 victory.

“I thought we played well in the first quarter,” Williams High School football coach Rick Shipley said. “They just kind of wore us down.”

The Vikings received the opening kickoff and immediately moved the ball, picking up a pair of first downs. Finally, Blue Ridge was able to stop Williams and forced a punt.

The Vikes got the ball right back, however, on a Blue Ridge fumble, forcing the Yellow Jacket defense to trot back out onto the field. Later, Williams faked a punt and was successful, picking up another first down.

In all, Williams had the ball for about nine of the first 12 minutes.

“We a break or two, we could’ve played with them,” Shipley said. “But they ended up scoring three touchdowns in the second quarter to make it 28-0 at halftime.”

Juan Alvarado played another touch game in week two and actually picked up good yardage against the Blue Ridge defense, finishing with 79 yards. The Viking passing game was nonexistent.

Shipley tried to put the loss into perspective for his players after the game.

“I think some pride was hurt a little bit,” Shipley said. “I told them, for what it’s worth, you’re not going to play anyone the rest of the year that’s better than these guys. When you’re out there for 50-60 plays, there were times when you made good plays, good blocks. You just have to put all that together.”

Williams escaped the game without any major injuries, a concern going up against a school with the power, size and speed of Blue Ridge.

“We made some mistakes in the second half that we can’t get away with against teams in our class,” Shipley said. “We had a bad snap on a punt, we fumbled inside the 15-yard line on a simple quarterback play ... But I think we played better against Blue Ridge than Tuba City.”

Williams is still searching for its identity early in the season. Shipley said things will improve for his players.

“We’re using a lot of different combinations (of athletes in different positions),” Shipley said. “I think we’re kind of getting manhandled up front on offense and defense. It’s not the fault of the kids, there’s just a lot of kids down there playing new positions.”

The Vikings’ goal in the early season is to get into shape for the Canyon Region. Williams still has two more nonconference games to play before Mogollon visits.

“We’re going to go one at a time,” Shipley said. “But we’d like to go into Mogollon 2-2. They were 2-2 when they came in here last year. Maybe we’ll be playing better football by then.”

Williams (0-0, 0-2) plays at home Friday at 7 p.m. when Laughlin-Nev., visits Viking Stadium.

In junior-varsity football action, Williams is scheduled to open the season today vs. Salome (incorrectly listed as Sept. 12 on some schedules). The Frogs and Vikings are slated for a 4 p.m. kickoff.


Donate Report a Typo Contact