Against all odds, Saginaw Boswell senior breaks rushing record
Saginaw Boswell’s Damon Williams had 32 carries for 194 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Burleson Centennial, but it cost him.
On his final carry, Williams felt something wrong and X-rays confirmed he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Then the senior had to make the toughest decision of his high school career.
He overcame the odds and that shows what type of leader he is — it still gives me goosebumps talking about it.
Saginaw Boswell coach John Abendschan
“Getting surgery was the hardest decision,” Williams said. “Injured in the first game, no senior in high school wants that.”
After weighing all options, Williams finally decided to take the risk and have surgery. The recovery time was six weeks, but no one expected the 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back to come back in three — not even head coach John Abendschan.
“He overcame the odds and that shows what type of leader he is — it still gives me goosebumps talking about it,” Abendschan said. “For someone not playing, he had a big influence on the entire team. He came back quicker than anybody I’d seen.”
Since his return, Williams has rushed for 100 yards or more in all eight games, including 187 yards in last week’s win over Fort Worth Dunbar, breaking the school’s single-season rushing record.
Williams has run for 1,755 yards, eclipsing the record of 1,691 yards set by Reginald Macon in 2013.
“On my second touchdown, I got to the sideline and the coaches told me I got it,” Williams said. “I knew it was going to come regardless, so I was just focusing on getting to the third round and getting the win.”
“I had a lot to prove coming into the season and everyone talked about Reggie’s record, but my focus was on the playoffs and getting further than we had last year.”
Williams set the mark in nine games while Macon did it in 10.
“We’re traditionally a passing team and that’s an absolute reflection of Damon’s work ethic,” Abendschan said. “He’s the type of guy that expects greatness from himself.”
It’s really special. Not a lot of people thought we were going to be good this year and we’ve really shown up. This team means a lot to me. ...
Boswell running back Damon Williams
“Cool thing is he’s the type of kid you cheer for. He took a leap of faith and his teammates covered for him and he came back quicker and rehabbed harder.”
Boswell (8-4) defeated Dunbar 30-12 to clinch the program’s first area championship since 2001. The Pioneers face Lubbock Cooper (9-2) at 3 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls in the Class 5A Division II regionals.
“It’s really special. Not a lot of people thought we were going to be good this year and we’ve really shown up,” Williams said. “This team means a lot to me, we fight like a family.”
“This team is unselfish,” Abendschan added. “They don’t let egos tie them up and as a coach, it’s extraordinary to watch these kids and they’ve risen up to every challenge. They’re a true team and a true brotherhood, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Against all odds, Saginaw Boswell senior breaks rushing record."