Sam Williams is special - and has his Bulldogs on a special trajectory
Jake Wimberly
If you set in a cafeteria or restaurant, you will see lots of people come and go and you likely never pay any attention to what they say or, that they may even be in the room.
But from time to time, someone walks in the room and may even speak and they grab your attention immediately.
Brandon first year head football coach and athletics director Sam Williams is not just another guy - he’s a dude and he will grab your attention immediately.
When Williams walks in a room, you know he’s there; when he speaks you listen, because he will grab your attention.
William’s has not only grabbed the attention of the town of Brandon and his football players; he’s now grabbing state wide attention as his football team has reeled off eight straight wins, won a region championship and capped the regular season with a 38-7 win over rival Pearl in the Rankin County Super Bowl.
The Bulldogs will host a first round playoff game next Friday against Harrison Central in the 2021, 6A Playoffs.
But, before you can move forward, you have to look backwards to realize just how special William’s is and why what he is doing in Rankin County is also - special.
Brandon, like many communities around the state of Mississippi is a very proud community, full of great people who love their town, their kids and have their own history book of sorts in Mississippi high school football.
While Brandon has only played in one state championship - a runner up finish to South Panola in 2012, the program boasts names like Davis, Norwood, Minshew, Rogers and more. The Bulldogs had arguably their best run the last decade in the history of their program, built a brand new stadium and then, the bottom fell out of the program.
Coming out of the Covid -19 season of 2020, Brandon saw their program slip to a 5-6 record, two of those wins came by forfeit due to Covid - 19 protocol and the Bulldogs missed the playoffs for the first time in a number of years.
There are ebbs and flows to football programs - ups and downs and Brandon was looking for new leadership and direction. Brandon lead - Brian Marshall set out to find that new leader and found Williams, who was one of 76 applicants for the Bulldog coaching vacancy.
Williams - who went 27-11 at Pelahatchie in three years and took Ridgeland to the 5A north state title in 2020, seemed to check all the boxes at face value, but there were questions in some circles about was he ready for a 6A program head spot, just four years into being a head coach.
After an 0-2 start that saw the Bulldogs lose a close game on the road at Oxford and on the road at Madison Central - Brandon won a classic against Clinton, then reeled off seven straight division wins, beating the likes of defending state champion Oak Grove, Warren Central, Petal, Meridan and more.
William’s team slashed through Region 3-6A, beating teams by an average of 39-19 and are now the hottest team in the state heading into the playoffs.
William’s has not only answered any question about if he was ready for this job or not - he has turned a 6A football giant around, ahead of schedule and now is turning heads around Mississippi high school football.
William’s is who he says he is, and he won’t apologize for it. His direct answers to any question and raspy voice oozes with confidence, but doesn’t cross the line as cocky. Sam Williams says what he believes and believes what he says and you never have to know what he is thinking.
That confidence and directness has spilled over into a football team that has taken on the image of their head coach. The Bulldogs run a fast style of offense, making it tough on defenses and stat takers due to the tempo they play at. They are physical, smart and play with hair on fire. The same can be said for a defense that will light you up.
Back in the summer this writer was having a conversation with Williams, and asked the question, “coach have you had a chance to evaluate this team and what’s your take on your club heading into the year.” He dead panned and looked me in the eye and said, “we have some work to do, but we should be ready when Oak Grove comes to town in October.” - I will be honest, I looked him back in his eyes and I probably had the look of are you crazy? Because the Bulldogs looked nothing like a team in 2020 that could compete with the top teams in 6A football, much less be ready for a team that had played in back to back state championships and won the title in 2020.
There is also another level to Williams - who inherited a seasoned staff full of really good coaches. Williams cares for people and his kids. You can hear it when he speaks about his coaches, players and staffers - he really cares, and when people know you care, they will go above and beyond for you. Williams started work day one and fit right in with coaches, players and staff as the lead and that is way harder to do than most realize.
It is also not to go unnoticed, Williams and his staff are on this momentous run, with primarily sophomores and juniors. The Bulldogs will return 100 percent of their offensive production in 2022 and have a promising group of underclassmen entering the fold.
Success is hard, it takes work and you have to believe it before you can achieve it and Williams has that belief and work ethic.
Brandon football is back and in a big way and Williams is leading that charge and his team is locked arm and arm with their coach.
The 6A football playoff is wide open and it’s anybody’s game starting next week and it’s also anybody’s guess on who will play in Hattiesburg in a month for the state title. But regardless of how this version of Brandon football ends, one thing is for sure.
Brandon isn’t an afterthought anymore - they are going to be a tough out for anyone for the foreseeable future and have a club playing with hair on fire.
Sam Williams lit that fire and it’s burning bright.
Williams is a dude - he’s special and everyone now sees that.
