GAMES
RANKINGS
M-Block prepared for Regional Final against PNG
THE REBOOT: Early-season loss refocused FB Marshall; photo gallery
Fort Bend Marshall was hanging around the Crosby High School parking lot, preparing to load the bus to return to the southwest side of town after a 27-21 (OT) loss at the hands of the Cougars earlier this season.
Coach James Williams looked stunned and disappointed.
“You never want to lose a game to learn a lesson, but you always have to learn lessons from things that don’t go your way,” Williams said. “It served this team well, got us refocused and let our guys know that we aren’t going to beat teams without the proper preparation.”
Since then, the Buffs have run off 11-straight wins, destroying teams by a margin of 513 to 67.
The offense got its legs under first-year QB Jordon Davis, who has thrown for over 2,300 yards and 27 scores. He has rushed for over 800 yards as well.
“That’s a story right there,” Williams said. “Ja’Koby Banks (UH-commit) had a phenomenal year at QB last year, scoring 39 touchdowns. He was very unselfish to back up and let Jordon run the offense this year, which freed him up to do more things for our football team from playing RB, WR and returning kicks. Once we found our identity with Jordon, we really started to click.”
The defense has flexed as well, giving up less than 10 points per game.
“M-Block football is about being physical and that is what we do,” Williams said. “It’s still a line of scrimmage game and it all starts up front with us with Zachary Chapman (TCU-commit), Trent Thomas and Logan Granville. That allows Jordan Sample (Arkansas State-commit) to flow to the ball and our secondary to create turnovers.”
With the offense finding their footing and the defense punishing opponents, the Buffs find themselves in the Regional Finals against Port Neches-Groves at Galena Park ISD Stadium on Friday night. FB Marshall beat the Indians 35-14 in district play earlier in the season.
“We are both very different teams now,” Williams said. “They do a tremendous job coaching and we are going to need to play disciplined football to win. I’m excited about where we are, and these guys deserve the success they get. They have put in so much hard work. That’s our culture.”
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Texas A&M star Devon Achane stopped by practice this week to check out the Buffs as they entered the Regional Finals.
"It was great to talk to him and hang out," Williams said. "I'm just so proud of that young man and to see how he's developed. It's amazing what he's been able to do against SEC competition."
Mean Green Bound: Fort Bend Marshall’s Janai Williams commits to North Texas
HOUSTON – Throughout an athlete’s career it is inevitable that there will be adversity and injuries.
For Fort Bend Marshall’s Janai Williams both of those statements ring true to her track career. But when faced with those she has done nothing but overcome.
Last year, Williams stood atop the podium at Mike A. Meyers Stadium as a part of the 5A State Champion 4X100-meter relay team and eventual team State Champion Fort Bend Marshall Buffs girls track and field team.
Earlier in April, Williams added another accomplishment as she verbally committed to the University of North Texas to continue her track career.
“It means so much to continue track on the college level because of the adversity and setbacks from injuries that I have faced throughout my track career,” Williams said. “In my recruiting process although I had many interests in the end North Texas was the first school to pursue me and saw me as a key to a growth in their program. I love the dynamic and bond the team has created over the past few years as well as the vision for the future that the coach has for the team.”
HTX -> DTX🦅
I’m grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to run track at the collegiate level. Thank you to God, my family, coaches, and extended support system. I am proud to announce my commitment to the University of North Texas! 💚#GoMeanGreen #LightTheTower pic.twitter.com/R48xd8sUsI
— Janai Williams (@janailwilliams) April 8, 2022
Williams has grown up in an athletic household – she’s a coach’s kid. Her father James serves as the head football coach at Fort Bend Marshall High School.
“My parents (James and Alveda) have undoubtedly played a major role in my athletic upbringing,” Williams said. “My dad being the head football coach at Fort Bend Marshall High School has set high expectations for me in the sports world, but it has done nothing but motivate me to become the athlete I am today.”
So far this season, Williams has set new personal bests in the 100-meter dash (12.25) and the 200-meter dash (24.81), which she wants to break the school record in.
Williams also wants to advance to the UIL State Track & Field Meet in the 200-meter dash, which she finished ninth in at the Region III-5A Meet a year ago. As a team goal, she wants to help Fort Bend Marshall, which won its first-ever girls track & field state championship last year, to do just that again.
As far as inspiration on the track – that comes from Olympian Gabby Thomas.
“She is a big inspiration to me in the track world because I see myself in her,” Williams said. “From our build to running the same events. Seeing someone who looks like me do nothing but great things motivates me everyday.”