JOHNSTOWN — A year ago, Johnstown’s coaching staff decided to move Alkwan Williams to the varsity level.

Then a freshman, Williams’ skills and experience were a bit too advanced to hold him back at the junior high level. In theory, coach Kevin Marabito and his staff figured Williams would get some valuable experience and continue to grow with the varsity squad.

Williams had other ideas. He was an immediate impact player as a freshman.

Now, he’s one of the most dominant linebackers in the LHAC as a sophomore.

“He just has those instincts to get to the ball. You’d like to say you can coach that stuff but he’s been a natural,” Marabito said of the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder. “When we brought him up as a freshman we just thought he’d dominate too much at the junior high. We didn’t expect that he’d step in at the varsity level like he did. He has a nose for the football. He’s a punishing hitter. He has the tools that he will only get better.”

The Trojans usually use Williams at a middle linebacker spot depending on the set.

“He anchors everything up for us,” Marabito said. “He’s a kid that goes 100 miles an hour all the time. There is no slow motion to his motor.”

Williams has 88 tackles, including 35 solo stops this season – an average of 9.8 tackles a game for the 6-3 Trojans. He also has eight sacks and one interception.

During his freshman season he contributed 93 tackles, 33 solo stops, a sack and an interception.

“He’s consistent. He’s just one of those players,” Marabito said. “He’s the nicest kid you’d meet off the field, but I wouldn’t want to meet him on the field. Once he puts that helmet on he’s a different person.”

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Double duty: Chestnut Ridge will travel to rival Bedford on Friday in a Class AA 10th week date.

The two Bedford County squads will be reacquainted less than a week later, as they meet in the District 5-AA title game on Nov. 12 – a rare Thursday night game.

The 5-AA title game will be played earlier in the week as District 5-A playoff games will be contested on that Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14.

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Streaking along: Bishop McCort concluded its second straight undefeated regular season last week. The 9-0 and top-seeded Crushers will have a first-round bye in the District 6-A playoffs.

McCort has won 23 consecutive regular-season games with the last loss coming against Richland during Week 5 of the 2007 season.

McCort also secured its 30th consecutive winning season.

The last time the Crushers finished under .500 was in 1979 (2-6).

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Another streak: Portage secured its third straight undefeated regular season last week. Like McCort, the third-seeded Mustangs have a first-round bye in 6-A.

Portage has 27 consecutive regular-season wins. The Mustangs’ last regular-season setback was at Meyersdale (20-13) during the final week in 2006.

Portage has dominated in the WestPAC this season, posting a whopping 449-47 scoring advantage.

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Title date: Like Ridge and Bedford, Johnstown also is automatically in a district title game next week.

The 6-3 Trojans will play at 5-4 Central Cambria on Friday in the final game of the regular season.

Because there are only two teams in the 6-AAA playoffs this year, the Trojans and Hollidaysburg will meet next weekend in a rematch of last year’s title game won 39-14 by the Golden Tigers.



Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.