King Williams continues reign on road
Campus Times
November 6, 1998
For weeks, the University of La Verne football team was wondering when
senior running back Ordell Williams would find his stride from a year ago.
And who would have thought that all it took for Williams to regain his
form was to be crowned Homecoming King.
A week after sporting his crown and scepter, Williams continued his
reign by rushing for 122 yards and the winning score in ULV's 13-10 win
at Chapman last Saturday night.
"We got Ordell Williams back for the first time all year. Ordell
Williams' presence was felt on the field," Don Morel, ULV head coach,
said. "He is an important player for us, and now he has to try and
cram his senior season into the last two games."
Williams' scored the game-winning touchdown on the Leopards' first drive
in the second half. With the score tied at seven, Williams took the hand
off from senior quarterback Dan Blahy at the Chapman 49-yard line and broke
it up the middle. He then cut to the outside, where he added yard after
yard between him and the Panthers' secondary before finding the end zone.
"I am just so happy we got a win," Williams said. "I
am just so happy the offensive line blocked the way they did. I was so happy
because that was my first touchdown of the year."
La Verne's defensive coordinator Kirk Harmon had to be happy as well
because his defensive unit held its opponent in check-again.
The Leopards held Chapman to 31 yards rushing. Although Chapman threw
for 263 yards passing, the Panthers senior quarterback Greg Hyland was constantly
under pressure from the ULV pass rush, which was led by junior defensive
lineman Mike Merrill, who had four sacks and blocked a field goal.
"You can't say enough about our defense. We gave up 10 points;
last week, we gave up seven points. You throw out that Azusa game, and they
have done an amazing job this season," Morel said. "We are excited.
A win is a win-a much needed win. Life is good; it is amazing a win will
fix a lot of problems."
The fourth Merrill sack came during the closing minutes of the game.
After a sack by junior line backer Joe Wright, Chapman needed a first down
on a fourth-and-16 play at the ULV 45-yard line. Hyland dropped back to
pass but was met 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage by Merrill, who dropped
the quarterback and the final chance for the Panthers.
"I was real proud by the way our defense held at the end. We played
real hard; everybody-on both offense and defense-stuck to it, and we won,"
said Merrill. "It was a great game, probably one of the funnest games
I have ever been in."
"In many ways, their offense is like our offense," said Morel,
whose team stands at 3-4 overall and 2-2 in SCIAC. "For them to drive
the ball 70 yards was really going to be a chore. They did hit some plays,
but, like us, they maxed out."
The Panthers hit on a series of plays in the second quarter, as they
marched from their own 27-yard line down to a first-and-goal at the ULV
2. Freshman running back Nate Ballinger wasted no time for Chapman, as he
scored the 2-yard touchdown on the first-down play.
After the teams exchanged punts, the Leopards finally were able to get
on the scoreboard with 5:54 left before the half. Blahy threw for two first
downs to wide receivers Andrew Woolsey and Kenny Fredeu, both juniors, and
Blahy also continued to give the ball to Williams, keeping the Chapman secondary
from cheating on the pass. ULV drove to the Panthers 9-yard line, before
Blahy rolled right and found a wide open Woolsey for the touchdown strike.
"It just feels great coming out and winning a game after a tough
loss last week," said Woolsey, who caught his fourth touchdown pass
of the season. "We wanted to come out and play our hearts out and keep
the same intensity. It really showed the character of our team after a tough
loss last week. I am just so proud of the guys."
The Leopards resume SCIAC action tomorrow, as La Verne travels to Cal
Lutheran for a 1 p.m. kickoff, in a game that is significant for the Leopards
because a win clinches third place in conference.
Cal Lutheran is also riding a wave of positive momentum, as the Kingsmen
earned their first SCIAC victory of the season last week with a 40-7 win
over Occidental. Cal Lutheran, having scored 155 points, has an overall
record of 4-3 and a SCIAC mark of 1-2.
The Kingsmen will put Williams to the test because the Cal Lu defense
is ranked eighth in Division III against the run, allowing 73.4 yards a
game. The Leopards' defensive front will need to be at its best, as Cal
Lu is averaging 206.6 yards a game rushing.
