Each Monday during the football season, members of the PennLive prep football coverage team will pass out three game balls to deserving gridiron athletes. So without further ado....
1. Bill Williams, RB, Camp Hill: For a couple years this young man’s name has been dropped on my partner and I on several occasions. His first night on the big stage was not a freshman-like effort for sure. In an up-and-down affair with Upper Dauphin, Williams produced 234 total yards and three touchdowns on 12 touches. That’s almost 18 yards per touch. He rushed for 167 yards on 10 carries with a pair of scores, and caught two passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. Two of his three touchdowns came in the third quarter to help the Lions open up some breathing room in a game that was 14-14 at halftime.
2. John Ford, RB, Red Land: The Patriots’ offensive dynamo started his senior season with a huge effort in a tight victory over West Perry. Scoring on touchdown runs of 31 and 15 yards, Ford totaled 193 yards on the ground in 22 carries. He also had a 90-yard punt return for a TD. Always an outside threat, Ford showed he’s improving as a runner in between the tackles with 22 strong carries for a solid 8.8 yards per carry average in a game that was tied entering the fourth quarter.
3. Nick Marsilio, QB, Bishop McDevitt: Crusaders coach Jeff Weachter was right when he said after Saturday’s game with Harrisburg “when was the last time we didn’t have a quarterback who could throw?” True, but it was still a good sign for McDevitt that in his first start the 6-3, 185-pound junior had a strong first half. Marsilio was 13 of 15 for 160 yards and a touchdown as the Crusaders grabbed a 19-14 halftime lead. The offensive line is a veteran group, so that helps and there’s plenty of targets at receiver. But a strong start against a quality team gives a peek into the potential of this offense overall.
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