WESSON – Looks are deceiving. Wesson’s Ryan Williams has theAll-American smile and the handsome good looks which would make hima teenage television star.

Beneath that mild demeanor beats the heart of an intenselyaggressive, hard-nosed football player. Williams, a senior safety,enjoyed what Wesson head coach Ronald Greer labeled a “careernight” against the Loyd Star Hornets, making 15 tackles and 2interceptions, returning 1 theft 28 yards for a touchdown. He alsoreturned a punt 95 yards for a TD.

For that performance, Williams has been selected The DailyLeader’s Defensive Player of the Week for the seventh week ofthe 2002 campaign.

“We were ready for Loyd Star,” said Williams, recalling histeam’s 45-0 shutout victory. “Our defense gave a good effort.”

Williams was moved from outside linebacker to safety this seasonas Greer prepared his team for a state title run. The Cobras are6-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Region 6-2A race.

“Ryan is very athletic,” said Greer. “He runs real well and heis some kind of hitter. He has no regard for his body. That’s whyhe made such a good outside linebacker for us.

“Pound for pound, he is strong for his size,” Greer continued.”He’s probably the most versatile kid I’ve ever coached. He hasplayed wide receiver, wingback, tailback and quarterback. He’s along snapper and he’s our backup punter.”

Williams can bench press 235 pounds. He squats with 345 and runsthe 40-yard dash in 4.6.

“Ryan is my quarterback in the secondary,” said Greer. “Hereally enjoys playing ball on Friday nights. He gets all fired upand excited.”

Williams said he enjoys playing strong safety. “I like safety alittle bit better than linebacker. You see more of the field andyou work on the passing game.”

Asked about his responsibilities at strong safety, Williamssaid, “I drop back in pass coverage. On running plays, I fill thealleys.”

Football is a team sport and Williams complimented his teammatesin the secondary. “Give Brad Brister and Johnny Butler credit. Theyare our cornerbacks and they both intercepted passes against LoydStar. Corey Gemelli rotates with them.”

The Cobras reached the third round of the state playoffs lastseason before being eliminated by Loyd Star. Their team goal is toget past the third round and reach the state championship game. “Weare aiming high.

“We are doing well as a team,” said Williams. “We like to playdefense and get a shutout. Our defensive line puts pass pressure onthe quarterback and gives me more opportunity to get aninterception.

“We are happy to get (linebacker) Charles Powell back thisweek,” from an injury. Williams said the Cobras will need all oftheir players for Friday night’s region showdown at McLaurin.

“McLaurin is a real good team,” said Williams. “We will have toplay our A game to beat them. They have a good running back and agood wide receiver. I look for our defense to step up.”

Williams sustained a dislocated shoulder in Wesson’s hard-foughtwin at Franklin County in the fourth game of the season. He sat outthe Crystal Springs game the following week and began physicaltherapy exercises for his shoulder. He said last summer’s weighttraining program helped him make a faster recovery.

His parents, Johnny and Cindy Williams, both have strong rootsin athletics. His father was a powerlifter and his mother was astar basketball player at Bogue Chitto, Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege, Southeastern Louisiana University and in the professionalranks.

“My dad is real strong,” said Ryan Williams. “He always took meto the weight room when I was little.”

Williams said he likes playing for Coach Greer. “He teacheshard-nosed football. Everybody attacks the man with thefootball.”

In school, Williams enjoys a new subject, Survey of Math Topics,taught by Brad Hamilton.

In the spring, Williams plays catcher and the outfield forWesson’s baseball team. In his spare time, he likes watchingFlorida State and Mississippi State. In the NFL, he pulls for theWashington Redskins and follows linebacker Lavar Arrington, anotherhard-hitter.