Arkansas high school football star dies in car wreck

Police: Springdale senior’s car flipped

Kyler Williams (3) of Springdale slips away from Cameron Gibson (10) of Rogers Heritage for a long touchdown Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale.
Kyler Williams (3) of Springdale slips away from Cameron Gibson (10) of Rogers Heritage for a long touchdown Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale.

Springdale High School football star Kyler Williams died Saturday in a car crash, according to a Springdale Public Schools official.

Rick Schaeffer, a spokesman for the district, said Williams died in a single-vehicle wreck between Springdale and Huntsville.

Williams was killed Saturday night in an accident about 5 miles south of U.S. 412 near Marble. He was driving a 2002 Suzuki north on Arkansas 21 when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times before he was ejected, according to a fatal crash summary from Arkansas State Police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

[GALLERY: Kyler Williams through the years]

"Kyler was a great school leader, student leader in our school. Kids loved him, and he was a leader on and off our campus," said Principal Peter Joenks.

Williams, a senior who was an all-state player last season, recorded 10 catches for 265 yards and three touchdowns Friday during Springdale's victory over Rogers Heritage High.

During a vigil for Williams on Sunday night at Springdale High's football stadium, football Coach Zak Clark said he will always remember his star receiver for his resilience and positive attitude.

"That smile he had and how tough and competitive Kyler was," Clark said. "Every day he would come out as one of the smallest guys on the field, but he would come out and just compete. He played hurt, banged up, and his teammates loved him for it."

Clark was adamant that the large crowd on campus for the vigil wasn't solely due to Williams' talent on the football field.

"That's not why we're crying right now," the coach said. "[We're crying] because of the type of kid he was, how he was loved by so many and what kind of friend he was to his teammates, classmates and people he came in contact with."

"It's going to be a tough week, but one thing we talk about in our school is perseverance," Joenks said. "We'll move forward and go forward from this. I'm proud of our kids and the outpouring of support from the kids here and our whole community. I'm proud to be a part of this community."

Information for this article was contributed by Scottie Bordelon of the NWA Democrat-Gazette.

Metro on 09/26/2016

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