Sports

Marquise Williams is the total package. 

The Mallard Creek High junior quarterback is a dual threat and an impenetrable force for defenders.  As a passer Williams is well equipped.  At 6-foot-4, he can see over the defense and hit downfield targets.  He’s also the kind of passer who is not squeamish about being hit.

PHOTO/CURTIS WILSON

Mallard Creek High quarterback Marquise Williams is being recruited by Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference schools as well as Notre Dame.

“Quarterbacks have a reputation for being soft,” he said. “Coach (Mike Palmieri) says all the time ‘Oh you’re soft,’ but I told him I can do whatever you want me to do.”

Part of what Williams does is escape defenders.  Williams has been clocked at 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a speedster among high school quarterbacks.  Those he can’t outrun, the 220-pounder just runs over.  It is not out of the ordinary to see Williams drag a defender 10 yards after the initial contact.  Williams has done as much as anyone can for Mallard Creek (7-1), No. 3 in The Post’s Magnificent Seven and ranked sixth in North Carolina by maxpreps.com. He began his high school career as a 14-year-old varsity starter.  Last season Williams led the Mavericks to an undefeated record before having nine wins taken away due to an ineligible player. 

At this point in the season Williams and the Mavericks are where they want to be, on top of the I-Meck conference and preparing for a deep run into the playoffs.  In last week’s game against North Mecklenburg for the conference lead, Williams took it upon himself to make big plays to rally the Mavericks from a 10-point deficit.

Although Williams struggled to connect with his receivers, he scored on a 60-plus yard scamper off a broken pass play and 1-yard sneak in Mallard Creek’s 26-10 win.

“As you see, I threw two interceptions tonight but I was still gunning it to my guys,” he said. 

Williams and Co. proved they could play with the big dogs taking No. 2 Independence to the wire in the season opener before losing 41-42. Williams wants to ensure Mallard Creek is included in any discussion on the state’s top programs, including Magnificent Seven No. 1 Butler and Independence. 

“Those are good teams, they are,” he said. “But don’t forget about us.  Don’t count us out.” 

Williams’ leadership and big play abilities have made it impossible for anyone to forget him.  He is being courted by some of college football’s biggest names: Clemson, South Carolina, N.C. State, North Carolina, LSU, Notre Dame, Virginia, and Virginia Tech have offered scholarships.  Georgia, Michigan, Florida, and Miami are also on the radar but have yet to offer.

Though Williams is in no rush to make a decision, he admits that he’s leaning to one particular school. 

“I haven’t committed yet.  I’m thinking about some schools in the area.  I kind of want to stay in the area.  Maybe Carolina,” he said. 

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