Friday was the biggest day of Richards sophomore Leshon Williams’ football life before he ever took the field against Eisenhower.
The 5-foot-11 running back already knew he was going to make his first varsity start.
He definitely made it bigger in Richards’ 34-3 South Suburban Red victory.
Williams rushed 24 times for 210 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs (4-2, 3-0) grabbed sole possession of first place in the conference.
Tim Baity ran for 92 yards for Eisenhower (5-1, 2-1).
“It feels great,” Williams said. “Coaches just said, ‘Next man up.’ I took every day like it was just another game.
“I hold myself to high expectations out there. Derek Flowers encouraged me. He told me to just run the ball hard.”
Flowers, the No. 1 running back for the Bulldogs, was suspended for a violation of a team rule and conduct code, according to Richards athletic director Ken Styler.
Styler would not elaborate on what the violation was or how long Flowers will be suspended.
In five games, Flowers, a 5-9 junior, rushed for 611 yards and nine TDs.
Williams, who came into the game having rushed for just 179 yards, wasted no time in making a difference.
On Richards’ second play from scrimmage, he raced for 11 yards and a first down. He completed the drive with a run off left end for 14 yards and a TD to put the Bulldogs in front.
Williams ran for 69 yards in the first half.
“We’ve had confidence in Leshon from Day One when we brought him up in the summer,” Richards coach Tony Sheehan said. “We told him that this was his coming out party, and he sure enough came out.
“He’s a tough runner. He’s even a little banged up, but he fights through it. And the offensive line did a great job.”
Eisenhower got to within 7-3 late in the first quarter on a 28-yard field goal by Luis Torres. It capped a 67-yard drive in which the Cardinals had to overcome four penalties worth 30 yards.
From there, it was all Richards.
Quarterback Sebastian Castro scored first on a 4-yard run. Williams scored the next two on runs of 4 and 12 yards. Orrion Prater added 9-yard run. Castro had a nice night overall, throwing for 79 yards and rushing for 80.
Baity was the top offensive producer for the Cardinals, but he struggled against a tough Richards defense. His biggest gain of the night was a 28-yarder.
“There was a lot we can take from this loss,” Eisenhower coach Travis Moore said. “I believe that theory you can learn from losing. We’ll respond and come back next week.
“Williams was good. We knew he was good coming in. He’s a sophomore, but the last time I checked there is no age requirement with talent. He’s a talented kid.”
Twitter @tbaranek
