Interview: 2021 SS/FS New Zealand Williams is a Rising Star for JSerra Catholic
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
During the 2018 California high school football season, New Zealand Williams was a sophomore learning the Division I varsity ropes in the secondary for Carson High School. Going against Marine League competition, the emerging strong and free safety stockpiled 50 tackles with four tackles for a loss, a pick, credited with three pass breakups, and secured a fumble recovery. A year later, “Z” is patrolling the last line of defense for one of the nation’s best, the Trinity League’s JSerra Catholic (5-1), showing his skills can play on any gridiron. Through the first six games of the season, the 6-2, 175-pound, talent has come up with 48 stops, 31 solo, two interceptions, defended three passes and put time in on offense pulling in three passes for 50 yards with a trip into the end zone while blocking for his teammates in the run game.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of California’s rising stars in the 2021 secondary covering ground on his game with the No. 34 ranked team in the nation (MaxPreps).
Interview
Z, the Lions have been on a roll over the last four games squashing teams. What is the team doing well on both sides of the ball leading to the big wins?
“We are believing in each other more. At the beginning we were not all there. As time goes by, we are coming together as a family and playing better overall.”
What did you work on over the offseason to prepare for the 2019 season?
“I worked on my eyes, technique, and staying in shape.”
How is your game coming along on offense this season?
“The coaches are not putting me in that much on offense, that is a secondary position for me. I go in to help if needed. I try to make plays when I go in, but I am focused on defense now.”
How are the coaches using you when you go in to help out on offense?
“They love my blocking. I am also running quick routes, but blocking is the big thing they love me for as a receiver.”
Going to your primary role on defense? Tell me how that part of your game is showing improvements.
“The game is really slowing down. Everything is getting easier compared to previous years. The front is making it easier for me to make plays. I am coming down with free lanes to the running back and the other DBs are doing their job – that is why I have the picks. The team is making my job easier.”
You are playing both strong and free safety, how is that rotation working game to game?
“It depends on the team we are playing and their personnel. If they will pass a lot, I play free safety or the one-high safety keeping everything in front of me. Against a run team, they have me come down playing more in the box.”
As the season goes on, what do you feel are the strengths to your game on defense?
“My eyes are a strength. I am reading the offensive linemen and seeing how the receivers are moving. I am reading the play before it happens, that is helping me make the tackles. I am attacking. In practice, we go over tackling every day, that helps a lot too. I am really good with my hips and my technique. My coaches tell me to use my length as an advantage to cover more ground.”
How are opposing offenses scheming against you and the Lions’ defense?
“They try everything. They hit us with the run, pass, and trick plays, but if we do our job everything is fine. When we do that, offenses cannot do anything against us.”
Before the season ends, what do you want to accomplish?
“The goal is to win games for my team and do my job. On each play, if we do our assignments, we will be fine. I’m just trying to do my job, nothing else but my job. Everything else will play out.”
Last time out the squad got a big Trinity League win over Santa Margarita (35-3). What did you guys do well in that showdown?
“We started off slow in the first half. We were not ready or mentally focused. We did not make much adjustments at halftime. Our coach told us to do our job. We went out and scored 28 points in the third quarter.”
No. 2 St. John Bosco is up this week. What kind of game are you expecting from the Braves?
“We are expecting them to come out hard. They are expected to be that team. We have to come out and play our game and see what happens.”
Before we part, anything you want to throw out there?
“Yes. I want to give a shout out to Carson, California. Thanks for always being supportive.”
Photo credit: Elijah Hernandez; New Zealand Williams (2019)
Photo credit: Aubrey Lao; New Zealand Williams big play (2019)