Published: 06:24 PM, Mon Aug 06, 2012
Wide receiver newest challenge for Cape Fear's Adrian Williams
Cape Fear's coaches discovered late last season that standout cornerback/returner Adrian Williams could add a new dimension to the Colts' offense.
He hopes to reach the end zone as a receiver after experiencing close calls running and throwing the ball during the 2011 playoffs.
Williams recorded 67 tackles and two interceptions as a junior, production that's helped the 6-foot, 165-pound defensive back earn a scholarship offer from Furman and serious looks from several other Southern Conference schools. Those stats jump out more than the one rush for 8 yards and one picked-off pass attempt, but that was just a starting point for an experiment that should be smoother this year.
Williams, inserted at receiver in a 4-A playoff win against West Johnston, didn't capitalize on a chance to score while running left on a reverse. That play at least set up an opportunity for Williams, who throws left-handed, to have an open target against a fooled defense later in the game, but the Wildcats intercepted a wobbly reverse pass.
"He comes over and says, 'Coach, my hands are freezing,' " Cape Fear head coach Bryan Till recalled. "I said, 'It would have been nice to know before we made the play call.' We joked with him, 'We won the game, and you could have had two scores. You're the MVP right there.' "
It's a title he could assume this year by contributing on defense, offense and special teams.
Williams played safety as a varsity sophomore and switched to cornerback for Till's debut season with the Colts. Till took into account not only what would benefit his team but also Williams, whose size and speed make him more of an intriguing college prospect at cornerback.
Cape Fear's aggressive defensive approach can leave its corners on an island against opposing receivers, so Williams is filling an important position.
"The coaching change, they saw how my height really affects the wide receivers, so that's a big thing for colleges to see a tall corner," said Williams, who has increased his weight by about 20 pounds since his sophomore season.
This year, exploring options to boost an offense that was hit hard by graduation losses, the coaches believe Williams can also make an impact as a receiver.
Fearless as a returner, Williams will admit his hands let him down at times last season. He intercepted passes against Seventy-First and Pine Forest but missed out on a sure touchdown against E.E. Smith when he couldn't hang onto a potential pick after making a perfect read to step in front of a curl route.
"Most wide receivers say that wide receivers who can't catch mostly play DB," Williams said with a laugh, "so I guess that's where I was at."
He said he's better at catching the ball now, which is good news for quarterback Spencer Faircloth. And paired with valuable punter/kicker Jordan Jacob, Williams should play a key role in helping Cape Fear win battles for field position.
Cornerback remains his calling card, though. It's a position where he's had a productive past, and the future appears promising.
"It takes a lot for me to call a kid great, and he's very good," Till said. "He plays the game faster, has worked on his recognition, and his intelligence allows him to be able to utilize the speed he has."
Staff writer Bret Strelow can be reached at strelowb@fayobserver.com or 486-3513.