Four days after his father's death, Deangelo Williams had a career night for Central Valley High School's varsity football team in a near upset of undefeated Sierra on Friday at Bulldog Stadium.
The 6-foot-1 junior receiver had 212 yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions, and an amazing one-handed interception during the Hawks' 31-28 homecoming loss to the Timberwolves. He also had a 44-yard TD catch negated in the third quarter due to a holding penalty.
"It wasn't hard playing with that on my mind," Deangelo said. "All I was thinking about was the game. I just wanted to help my team win."
Prior to kickoff, Central Valley senior quarterback Trevor Mew provided words of encouragement to Williams.
"I told him before the game do it (play) for him," said Mew, who passed for 315 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. "And he did."
"Trevor's amazing," Williams said. "He's someone you can always count on. I have a great deal of respect for him."
After the game, Williams posed for pictures with a handful of Central Valley students.
Several Sierra fans went out of their way to praise him before exiting the stadium.
"You're one helluva player," one Timberwolf supporter said. "I'm glad we don't have to play you again."
Williams used the football field as an escape. His second family-Hawk coaches and teammates-rallied around him.
"They've backed me up and supported me 100 percent," he said.
Deangelo got a R.I.P. tattoo on his right forearm in memory of his father. Luis was just 35 years old.
JV Hawks fall
Central Valley High School's junior-varsity football team lost 37-18 to visiting Sierra on homecoming last Friday at Bulldog Stadium.
"I thought we had a chance to win the game," Hawks coach Pat Leach said. "We just made too many mistakes. It was just one of those days."
Central Valley dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the VOL.
The Timberwolves moved to 2-1 in conference play.
Chris Moscozo, Tyree Jones and Joel Playo all scored rushing touchdowns for the Hawks.
Central Valley fell behind 22-6 in the first half as Sierra took advantage of three fumbles.
Moscozo scored on a 6-yard run late in the second quarter.
Jones raced 15 yards for a score and Playo rumbled 50 yards for a TD in the second half.
Joel intercepted a pass in the first half.
The Hawks totaled four turnovers in the game.
"I don't know what happened," Leach said.
Central Valley will play at East Union (1-2) this Thursday.
The 6-foot-1 junior receiver had 212 yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions, and an amazing one-handed interception during the Hawks' 31-28 homecoming loss to the Timberwolves. He also had a 44-yard TD catch negated in the third quarter due to a holding penalty.
"It wasn't hard playing with that on my mind," Deangelo said. "All I was thinking about was the game. I just wanted to help my team win."
Prior to kickoff, Central Valley senior quarterback Trevor Mew provided words of encouragement to Williams.
"I told him before the game do it (play) for him," said Mew, who passed for 315 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. "And he did."
"Trevor's amazing," Williams said. "He's someone you can always count on. I have a great deal of respect for him."
After the game, Williams posed for pictures with a handful of Central Valley students.
Several Sierra fans went out of their way to praise him before exiting the stadium.
"You're one helluva player," one Timberwolf supporter said. "I'm glad we don't have to play you again."
Williams used the football field as an escape. His second family-Hawk coaches and teammates-rallied around him.
"They've backed me up and supported me 100 percent," he said.
Deangelo got a R.I.P. tattoo on his right forearm in memory of his father. Luis was just 35 years old.
JV Hawks fall
Central Valley High School's junior-varsity football team lost 37-18 to visiting Sierra on homecoming last Friday at Bulldog Stadium.
"I thought we had a chance to win the game," Hawks coach Pat Leach said. "We just made too many mistakes. It was just one of those days."
Central Valley dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the VOL.
The Timberwolves moved to 2-1 in conference play.
Chris Moscozo, Tyree Jones and Joel Playo all scored rushing touchdowns for the Hawks.
Central Valley fell behind 22-6 in the first half as Sierra took advantage of three fumbles.
Moscozo scored on a 6-yard run late in the second quarter.
Jones raced 15 yards for a score and Playo rumbled 50 yards for a TD in the second half.
Joel intercepted a pass in the first half.
The Hawks totaled four turnovers in the game.
"I don't know what happened," Leach said.
Central Valley will play at East Union (1-2) this Thursday.
