Cultural linchpin Lance Williams leads Alcoa to the eighth straight state title
CHATTANOOGA — Lance Williams was at one point the fastest player in Finley Stadium. As unlikely as it was for the 6-foot-4, 306-pound interior offensive lineman to be a top sprinter, he was exactly that when he ran around the field with the Class 3A championship in hand Friday.
“There’s nothing else like it. We’ve been working for the past four years … and now as a senior, I knew it was time for us to come in and show them what we're made of,” Williams said. “I just grabbed that trophy and knew I had to run around with it. That was the plan as soon as I knew we won.”
The exuberance from the senior offensive lineman epitomizes the excitement from a Tornadoes squad that won its eighth consecutive state championship and 21st overall by defeating East Nashville 45-26.
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Senior quarterback Zach Lunsford was awarded MVP of the game for completing 8 of 13 passes for 163 passing yards and three touchdowns for Alcoa (14-1). He connected most often with sophomore wide receiver Luke Cannon who had three catches, all for touchdowns, with 73 receiving yards. Junior Elijah Cannon and senior Jordan Harris, the No. 41 player in the state, according to the 247Sports Composite, combined for 20 carries 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Williams is the No. 33 player in the state and is committed Virginia Tech. He is also a Tennessee Mr. Football finalist for Class 3A. As esteemed of a recruit he is, his value comes from the exuberance he brings Alcoa.
“He just brings energy man, Lance just brings energy to the table," said Brian Nix, Alcoa’s first-year coach. “He doesn’t get too high, he doesn’t get too low. He always works hard. He’s got a great attitude. Just a program kid.”
Against East Nashville (12-3), Williams not only protected his quarterback, Lunsford, at the line of scrimmage but also played the majority of defensive possessions as a defensive lineman.
“I'm just happy to play ball,” Williams said. “Whatever I can play, whatever the coaches want me to play, I would play it doesn't matter.
Nix is aware that Williams is not only a high-level player but also a linchpin of Alcoa’s culture.
“I couldn’t remember what it was like to not have Lance in our program,” Nix said.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lance Williams leads Alcoa football to eighth straight TSSAA state title
