Joe T. Robinson's defense was one of the best in the state in 2018.
Zach Williams was a big reason why.
The senior defensive lineman, who helped the Senators advance to their first state championship game since 1980, recorded 105 tackles, including 32 for a loss, 20 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 3 recovered fumbles.
"Stat-wise, he was through the roof," Robinson Coach Todd Eskola said. "It's a special campaign. He did a great job all year long."
For his efforts, Williams, who has signed with the University of Arkansas, is this year's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps defensive player of the year.
"He was the player of the year the whole year," Eskola said. "Every game you can pop in the tape and see highlights. He was making plays normal high school players don't make."
[ALL-ARKANSAS PREPS: See first team, second team, top sophomores + more]
Eskola said Williams was a quiet leader and led by example.
"He's going to go full tilt," Eskola said. "He didn't take plays off."
Despite 65 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior in 2017, Williams was looking to improve his play in 2018. Eskola was pleased with his lineman's results.
"He got better by being more physical," Eskola said. "He was taking on pulling linemen. He got off blocks. His speed was unreal."
Williams credited his team for his play in 2018.
"We clicked with each other," Williams said. "I wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for my teammates."
In the past two seasons, Robinson has won 24 games with a trip to the state championship game and two semifinals appearances. Eskola said that's because of a strong senior class in 2018 led by Williams.
"It was a good group of kids, athletically," Eskola said. "These were really great kids. They enjoy their teammates. They enjoy their classmates in school. We didn't have any discipline issues. As a whole, they were really good."
Williams said his favorite moment of the season was when the Senators defeated Dumas 24-20 in the Class 4A semifinals Dec. 1. The Senators lost to Warren in the 2017 semifinals, so being able to win a semifinal game a year later was special for Williams, he said.
Williams at a glance
SCHOOL Joe T. Robinson
POSITION Defensive lineman
HIGHLIGHTS Recorded 105 tackles, including 32 for a loss, 20 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 3 recovered fumbles. … Led Joe T. Robinson to the Class 4A state championship game. … Will attend the University of Arkansas on a football scholarship.
"That was a really good competition," said Williams, who had 10 sacks and a sack against Dumas. "People had doubts we were going to lose. We were down by seven at half. We came back and won the game.
"It meant everything."
A week later, Robinson lost to Arkadelphia in the Class 4A state championship game 28-0. However, Williams was still proud of what the Senators accomplished in 2018.
"I know we didn't win the championship, but we got to play in it," Williams said. "I was thankful we had the opportunity."
Williams will enroll at Arkansas in January. Eskola said Williams' story can be an inspiration to future players at Robinson.
"They can be next. That's what we preach to our kids. Who's next?" Eskola said. "Who's going to be the next one to go to the Hill, a Division I school or a Division II school?
"It's not just a pipe dream someone's trying to sell you."
Sports on 12/23/2018