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FAITH, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY: Oak Ridge's Williams is more than football
Justin Williams of Oak Ridge is one of the top players in the state going to the best program in the country in two-time National Champions – the University of Georgia.
But for Williams, football is only one aspect of his life.
So, what does a Georgia football commit do other than football? Faith, Family and Community.
Faith.
An active member at The Woodlands Church, Williams leads young kids in Bible studies and church camps and spends most of his free time paying it forward.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Being active in The Woodlands Church has been a big part of my football career,” he said “Being around the pastors, my church group and a lot of people who want to see me succeed on and off the field has motivated me along the way.”
Family.
The journey for Williams’ football career started with a family who loves the game and older siblings who played as well.
“I started playing football when I was six years old,” Williams said. “My family is a big football family, and we grew up watching Bears’ games as a kid. I started playing because of both my older brothers.
“I always played ‘up’ in little league because I was bigger than everyone in my age group and really fell in love with the defensive side of the ball.”
Community.
Justin Williams, like most top players in the country, has NFL aspirations but his love for others and community sets him apart from the rest. What’s the future hold?
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Oak Ridge FootballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“The dream for me has always been to make it to the league but it’s really what God’s plan is for me,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to do something to give back to the community and use my personality to do something great.”
Williams is on track to be a household name at Georgia with big NFL potential, but the star will always love Oak Ridge High School.
“Playing for Oak Ridge has been an amazing experience,” he said. “We’re a tight-knit group. All of us have been playing together from a young age and we just love to fight for each other. No matter what, we’re going to be there for one another.”
Expect to see Oak Ridge’s finest and his million-dollar smile representing his faith, family and community in whatever he does in the future.
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Strake Jesuit’s Fastest Man In the Country
HOUSTON – Matthew Boling is the fastest man in the country.
You read that right.
Not just in Houston or Texas but the United States of America, Boling holds the fastest marks in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash.
“It feels really good, I’ve been working really hard all year and am really happy with my times,” Boling said. “But I am still hungry and know I can do better.”
At the TSU Relays this past weekend, the Strake Jesuit senior posted times of 10.22 in the 100-meter dash and 20.58 in the 200-meter dash, which are both personal records.
Boling’s 100-meter dash time is 0.24 seconds and his 200-meter dash mark is 0.41 seconds faster than Miami Northland High School’s Tyrese Cooper times in each race.
“My goals each meet are to just progress and focus on one thing such as my block starts or drive phase so I can get ready for state,” Boling said.
Boling is in his final year at Strake Jesuit and has already signed with the University of Georgia to continue his track career at the college level.
“The team atmosphere at UGA was just amazing,” Boling said. “They had multiple current talents and a lot of pros/Olympians training there and it just felt like the best place for me to get better.”
So, how does the fastest man in the country get better?
Boling said he is focusing on his speed work and in the 400-meter race staying strong in the final 100 meters to the finish line.
While the finish is important, Boling said his key to success this year comes right from the beginning.
“I just think to get out and be explosive during my first 30 meters and then I just get up tall and move as fast as I can,” he said.
Boling has also PR'd in the long jump this season reaching 25-feet and five inches, which came at the Katy ISD Bubba Fife Relays on March 2. That mark is the longest jump in the country under FAT Only rankings on MileSplit.com.