Sideline star:
Boy's football passion from grandfather
Friday, September 19, 2013
by By Carolina Astrain , Advocate Reporter
Victoria Advocate Sports Article | Shiner Comanche Football
Michael Williams has always loved football.
Michael Williams, 12, carries water up the sidelines as he works as a manager for the Shiner Comanches during a Sept. 12 game at Tiger Stadium in Goliad. "He's ready," Michael's dad, Mark Williams, said about his involvement with the team. "He wants to play."
[ NOTE: click any photo to enlarge ]all photos by Angeli Wright, Victoria Advocate
When the Shiner school district sixth-grader was a toddler, he developed a strong love of the game from his grandfather, Vaughn Williams, a former Victoria High School, St. Joseph High School and Memorial High School football coach.
"I've been around football my whole life," said Michael, 12. "I hope to play in both high school and college."
Michael is one of several managers for the Shiner Comanche football teams.
His main charge is securing water for the players throughout the games.
"The most important part of my job is paying attention to what's happening on the field," Michael said.
Last week, Shiner came back from a 15-point deficit, which, Michael said, had him cheering from the sidelines.
"It was a pretty good game," Michael said. "We came back and we beat them."
His mother, Terri Williams, described her son as a hard and attentive worker.
"He is always where he needs to be," Williams said. "With a team that has small numbers like we do, those guys play an important part on the sidelines."
Michael's grandfather, who also goes by the nickname Vollie, coached in Victoria for 42 years, Terri Williams said.
After graduating, Michael said he hopes to follow in his parents' footsteps and become an Aggie.
"I don't know what I want to study yet," Michael said.
Michael Williams, 12, waits on the sidelines for players to need water during a game. Michael got the job because he asked the coach himself even though "he was nervous about it," Michael's dad, Mark Williams said. Michael Williams, 12, waits for Shiner wide receiver Justin Stovall to finish with a water bottle during a timeout. This is Michael's first year as a manager for the team. Michael Williams, 12, far right, walks down the sideline with the Shiner Comanches. Michael was in charge of making sure the players had water on the sidelines and during timeouts in the game.
Carolina Astrain is an education reporter for The Victoria Advocate.
Contact her at 361-580-6578, or by e-mail at castrain@vicad.com.
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