Williams has big hand in Vikings' playoff surge

FORT WALTON BEACH – With its season squarely on the brink, Fort Walton Beach coach Mike Owens found himself watching intently as seventh-ranked Pine Forest came to the line of scrimmage last week just two-and-a-half minutes away from ending the Vikings’ run.

“We had just burned our last time out and it was third down,” Owens recalled. “They were going to run the ball again and try to get a first down or if not, run the clock out and punt.”

Either outcome would have spelled doom for the Vikings. Even if Fort Walton Beach could have held and forced an Eagles’ punt, the Vikings would then be faced with the proposition of being forced to drive nearly 80 yards in less than a minute with no time outs.

Instead, a defense that had already forced 19 turnovers on the year came up with another big play as defensive end Spencer Williams broke through the Pine Forest line and stripped the Eagles’ running back of the ball. Fort Walton Beach recovered near midfield and would go on to tie the game and force overtime with its ensuing possession. Once in overtime, the Vikings completed the improbable win to set up Friday night’s Class 4A regional semifinal with top-ranked Niceville (10-0).

“(Williams) made the biggest play of the night,” Owens said.

For Williams, a senior leader on the Vikings (6-4) defense, the play remains somewhat of a blur.

“I reached as hard as I could to try to punch the ball and the next thing I know the ball is out,” Williams recalled. “It was insane. It was all a blur, I just knew we had to get on that ball.”

Doing whatever is necessary has been the top priority for Williams all along. It was just last spring that Williams, then a linebacker, was approached about a position change to the team’s “Anchor” – or strong side – defensive end position. Williams didn’t blink.

“His willingness to drop down and do that I think really solidified our defense,” Owens said. “It allowed us to get what we felt like were our best players on the field. His development there has been a big part of it.

“You can always count on him,” Owens added. “He’s going to play hard.”

Now as Fort Walton Beach prepares for a second consecutive playoff game against one of the state’s top-ranked teams, Williams believes the victory at Pine Forest has only strengthened the Vikings’ belief in one another.

“It was a real big win for us,” Williams said. “It was one of those things that a lot of people didn’t think we could do.”