IRMO, S.C. — Within his four years as Dutch Fork High School defensive coordinator, Assistant Coach Scott Williams says senior and defensive player Daniel Williams is the true embodiment and a prime example of what their varsity team strives to be.
"He's a leader on the field. he's a leader off the field," Williams said. "He's a guy that is on a short list in my brain of guys that I completely trust, no matter if they're on campus, off campus, in the school building."
Daniel said he hopes he can set an example.
"I hope the younger kids see that you can just do better than me," he said. "I make mistakes, I'll admit. So I just hope they take my advice, listen to it, and just do better than me."
Wilson joined Head Coach Tom Knotts and the varsity players after completing two years on the Dutch Fork JV team and has since not only set an example on the field but in the classroom as well.
"You're not gonna have to chase him around to get to study hall," Wilson said. "You're not gonna have to, you know, babysit him in the classroom. You're not gonna have to worry about his attendance. He's gonna handle his business on and off the field and just be a great role model and ambassador for the program."
As a student-athlete managing a 4.0 GPA, Williams gives credit to the sport for teaching him how to stay focused and motivated.
"It teaches you determination. teach you how to listen to the words, not the tone. teaches you how to balance the hard things, you know, teaches you just how to keep going, and it gives you a lot of life lessons in life," Williams says.
With no final decision as to where Williams will attend college, he says the goal will be to play football and in the meantime he is focusing on soaking in his last high school season.
"I've been doing great this season. i just need to take it one game at a time," he says.
As one of the team's prime examples of a leader and hoping to lead the silver foxes to win their 3rd consecutive state championship, senior Daniel Williams is the News19 Player of the Week.