HAZLEHURST – Junior tailback Fred Williams has proved to be onethe bright young stars on the Hazlehurst Indian football team thisyear.

In the 42-8 win over Region 7-3A foe Wilkinson County last week,Williams (5-9, 165) carried the football 21 times for 190 yards andtwo touchdowns.

For his accomplishments, Williams has been selected asThe Daily Leader’s Offensive Player of the Weekfor the sixth week of the 2002 football season.

“I feel good,” said Williams about the honor. “It’s a goodthing. I couldn’t have done it without my offensive line. We lookat it one play at a time. It lets the college know I am trying todo something.”

On the season, Williams has carried the football 75 times for968 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.

“This summer, Fred was the most dedicated player we had,” saidHazlehurst head football coach Willie Brown. “He worked out everyday and he ran sprints. When I dropped him off in the afternoon, hewould run the last half mile home. Everybody worked out but Fredreally stood out during the summer.”

Williams runs a 40-yard dash in 4.6. He bench presses 275 poundsand squats 400.

His favorite play is the 28-Sweep. “I’m in the backfield and Igo over the center. The guards pull to the right and the otherguards block out. I go through the seams.”

Williams listed his offense line that includes LaMoine Robinsonat left guard, Antonio Maymon at center, Patrick Bozeman at rightguard, Riazell Stewart at left tackle, Willie Reese at righttackle, and Dwight Brown at tight end.

Williams talked about fullback Dexter Douglas who also has beenrushing the football well for the Indians.

“I like how he (Douglas) pushed the ball down the field,”praised Williams. “It’s hard to get him down. Unless you work inthe weight room, he’ll run over you. He gets a lot to yards to be afullback.”

The Indians are doing well this season (5-1, 2-0) and Williamscredits a lot of their success to Coach Brown.

“He is a good coach,” stated Williams. “He calls the right playsat the right time. He knows how to get you out of a bad situation.At halftime, he will tell us how to do a better job.”

Hazlehurst faces a tough region opponent in Franklin CountyFriday night. Williams feels he and the Indians can beat them.

“First, we have to get good practices in Monday, Tuesday andWednesday,” explained Williams. “We can’t get the big head. We haveto play like we played the others. We are looking to have a goodgame.”

Williams also runs for the Indians track team. He ran the400-meter relay and 800-meter relay and 100 dash last spring. Theywent to the regionals where the Indians came in fourth because ofan injured player. “With an extra man, we could have won.”

Brown said Williams is elusive on the gridiron. “He has goodfootball speed. “He runs track. I haven’t seen anybody run him downfrom behind yet.”

In the classroom, Williams enjoys U.S. history.

“He’s a pretty good student,” added Brown. “He’s committed tograduating.”

Williams said his favorite college football team is AlcornState. In the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys are his favorite team. Hisfavorite player in Emmit Smith.

Williams said he was thankful for the coaches and his teammates.”I want to thank coach for giving me the ball a little more thanlast year. I thank the offensive line for blocking on every play.The defensive line is playing great. They have allowed just61-yards a game.”