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Cherokee Tribune - Williams boots Blazers to shot at D-II crown
Williams boots Blazers to shot at D-II crown
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Published: 12/13/2007
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By Carten Cordell
Cherokee Tribune Sports Writer

In a little more than 48 hours from now, former Woodstock kicker Zac Williams could have his own national championship ring.

The Valdosta State junior is awaiting his final game of the season as the Blazers will square off against Northwest Missouri State for the NCAA Division II title Saturday in Florence, Ala.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "I don't think it has all really sunk in yet. I am sure reality will set in (soon)."

Valdosta State took little time to rebound following an 8-2 mark last season and the departure of head coach Chris Hatcher to Georgia Southern, rolling to a 12-1 record with new head coach and former offensive coordinator David Dean.

Williams said the transition wasn't as difficult for the team, given its familiarity with Dean and his system.

"I felt really comfortable with him," Williams said. "He knew the team real well, he is a real likable guy and I had confidence with him from Day 1."

That confidence was well-placed as the Blazers have rolled up 5,486 yards of offense this season and are averaging nearly 47 points per game.

Williams has also excelled this season. The junior has converted on 12 of his 19 field goal tries and 63 of 67 extra points to amass a team-high 99 points.

"I wanted to be perfect," he said, "but sometimes you miss a few here and there. I just wanted to be better than last year, be a little more reliable and I think I have done well."

Likely when the Blazers needed it most, Williams booted a 42-yard field goal - his longest of the season - to hold pace for a 27-24 win over North Alabama on Oct. 27. The kicker said a two-field goal performance in a 41-3 win over Albany State on Sept. 1 and the win over North Alabama were some of the games that will stick with him from this season.

"The first game of the year, I hit two field goals and had 11 points," he said. "It helped me get going for the season and gave me a lot of confidence going throughout the rest of the game. I guess the North Alabama would have to be the biggest one for me this year."

Williams credits Woodstock coach Mike O'Brien, who took over the Wolverine program prior to Williams' junior season in 2003 with helping him get ready for the collegiate ranks.

"If I had had him (as a coach) for all four years, there is no telling where I would be," Williams said. "He helped me out a lot, taught me a lot and if I had to thank one person, I would have to thank him for getting me where I am now."

O'Brien said he recognized the talent Williams possessed from the get-go.

"He had a very strong leg," O'Brien said. "The ball just jumped off his foot like a kid we had at Valdosta (High School), Todd Peterson, that kicked for the Falcons. He was that kind of kid.

With one game remaining, Williams said he and his teammates felt all season they could get to this point. All that is left a three-hour contest Saturday afternoon which both squads have been waiting for all year.

"We said it from the beginning, we have the team to do it," Williams said. "We have always found a way to win."

Kickoff is set for noon and will be televised on ESPN2.


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