This MS Coast quarterback has one shot to dominate and will keep his ‘foot on the gas’
Nico Williams has one shot at his and his teammate’s goals.
The senior is in his first and lone year as the starting quarterback for a Gulfport Admirals team that has arrived with a different energy and a renewed focus under new head coach Blake Pennock.
Pennock’s goal for GHS has been clear since arrival: bring the program its first district title since 2019. In order to do that, he’s turned to a quarterback that looks a bit familiar to him.
“He’s similar to Bray (Hubbard) and some other guys we’ve had, an athletic quarterback is what makes this offense go and that’s what we look for,” Pennock told the Sun Herald.
Hubbard won back-to-back Mr. Football awards and guided Ocean Springs further into the postseason that any other 6A school from the Coast before it under the watch of Pennock.
Some of the athleticism that Williams shares with Hubbard was put on display in the Admirals’ season-opening 42-0 win over Gautier where he ran for 96 yards and three touchdowns.
It was part of a statement opener for GHS that Williams said was his team’s expectation.
“We knew we were going to do it and we were telling everybody,” Williams said of the lopsided win. “Our goal is to continue to do that and show everybody how we’re coming. We’re coming to be dominant.”
Quarterback whisperer
Williams has played sparingly behind center before, backing up Jacob Palazzo in recent years. A former wide receiver, his athleticism and strong arm make him the perfect pair with Pennock, who locked in him as the new Admiral starter quickly.
“As soon as (Pennock) got here, we created a nice bond,” Williams said. “I know what he’s done, seen what he’s done and played against him. Coming from that, I got to trust him and if I do good things will come from it.”
Williams is coming off a season where he utilized his towering 6-foot-5 frame as a receiver, hauling in 22 passes for 282 yards.
He says he learned a lot from that experience, which improved his footwork and playbook IQ.
Now he’s using his size and mobility to lead the offense himself.
“(Williams) has an incredibly strong arm,” Pennock said. “The thing about the quarterback in this offense, is that it’s more of a point guard. He makes a ton of plays, but if he can distribute the ball and make good decisions with it in his hands then he is going to do pretty good.”
Man for the moment
Williams has the physical intangibles to lead Pennock’s offense, but he’s got one year to prove himself as a leader within the program as expected from the quarterback position.
In Pennock’s eyes, Williams made that leap without a problem.
“He’s embraced every bit of it,” Pennock said. “He knows he’s got one year, so absolutely make the most of it. He has next level aspirations and he has next level ability, he’s going to put everything he has into this season, develop the right way and be a good leader. He’s around the guys, he has that confidence about him that those guys gravitate to.”
Williams, who has a D-I offer from Southeastern Louisiana, carries a presence that has a calming effect on the field, but he credits the coaching staff for creating an elevated energy that has fed the Admirals’ desire for bringing a district championship back to Gulfport.
The Admirals are harnessing that energy in the form of consistency, breakneck pace and aggressiveness.
“Not slowing down, keep our foot on the gas. It’s very important to make sure we do that,” Williams said.
Gulfport returns to action with a home date against Vancleave on Friday. The Bulldogs enter after opening the season with a 42-7 win over St. Martin.
