The Grind, presented by Bank of Clarendon: Sumter High's Williams helps open the door for success on the offensive line

During a 10-0 regular season at Sumter High, the stars shine brightly for the Gamecocks.

Running backs John Peeples and Kam Fortune have piled up the rushing yards and touchdowns. Each has run for more than 1,000 yards, while Peeples set school records for career touchdowns as he marched into the end zone 22 times. Fortune has toted the rock into the end zone an additional 17 times. On top of that duo, quarterback Franklin Richardson has rushed for an additional 840 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing for 1,020 yards and 12 more scores.

While those are eye-popping numbers, those stars can't light up the scoreboard without the big guys in the trenches opening up some wide holes.

During his time at Sumter High, Jerius Williams has played everywhere but left tackle on the offensive line. He's been along for the ride as Peeples scored nearly every one of those touchdowns. In many ways, Jerius is at the heart of the engine for the high-powered Sumter High offense, bullying defensive linemen before flashing a wide smile as the Gamecocks celebrate in the end zone after yet another score.

"They are the reason we're successful on offense," SHS head coach Mark Barnes said of the offensive line. "Everybody sees Kam and John and Frank, and we've had a lot of games this year where we had three guys rush for 100 yards and we probably have three 1,000-yard rushers, but those five guys are the reason all that goes, and Jerius is the senior leader in that group."

GETTING AN EARLY START

The offensive line is a tough position group to break into at an early age. The sheer size and physicality of senior linemen can be hard to face as a freshman or sophomore, but Jerius didn't need much time to find a role.

Jerius was first called up to varsity late in his freshman season, but he truly carved out a role as a sophomore. For most of the year, he was Sumter High's Swiss Army knife, playing at tackle, guard and center as the Gamecocks battled injuries across the offensive line.

"He's always been really physical," Mark said of Jerius. "Sometimes with the younger guys, that's where they struggled the most is the physicality of the game early on, and that was never a problem with Jerius. He would always put his face in the fan and be willing to be involved in physical combat at the line of scrimmage. He uses great leverage and is also a good athlete."

Jerius appreciated the role of do-it-all lineman. That experience is still paying off today.

"It helped me gain a lot of experience because I know what everybody has to do throughout the whole line," he said. "It kind of helped me build me as a leader."

As the year wore on, the Gamecocks had a gaping hole in the middle of their offensive line, so Barnes turned to his Swiss Army knife to fill it.

"We lost two or three centers to injury, and we were really having trouble with snaps," Barnes said. "That year, he saved our season a little bit by moving to center, to be honest."

The move came right after Sumter High's lone regular season loss to Oceanside Collegiate. Jerius moved to center and guided the Gamecocks to a perfect record in Region V-5A. Sumter High made another strong playoff push that fall before ultimately ending their season with a heartbreaking 7-0 loss to Summerville in the SCHSL 5A quarterfinals.

BATTLING INJURY

After a strong sophomore campaign, Jerius was ready to make a major impact as a junior. That all came into question before the season began.

Playing in a preseason scrimmage, Jerius tweaked his knee. It was an injury that was always likely to happen at some point, as a knee issue runs in his family. In a bit of irony, a career that got an early head start due to injuries was quickly hampered by one.

"When it happened, at first, I was like, 'I'm not gonna be out that long. I can really play next week.' When I woke up the next morning with some throbbing pain, I knew I'm gonna have to do something about it," Jerius said.

Jerius' mother, Stephanie Williams, knew her son would fight. She said Jerius was prepared for adversity because he grew up with a grandfather battling cancer. His grandfather has now been cancer-free for six years and set an example of how to fight through anything.

"He was kind of prepared for some of the struggles, but he took his first knee injury badly," Stephanie said. "He thought that being out, someone else might take his spot. So, he was always diligent with his trainers and doing what physical therapy they had out for him. I told him, 'Just like you're doing your physical therapy, you need to give your body time to rest, and you need to listen to your body.'

While Mark already thought highly of Jerius, that junior season showed the offensive lineman in a new light.

"They say adversity builds character. I think more than that, it reveals character. When times are tough, you can see who you can count on, and Jerius has always been one of those guys to do whatever he can to help us win," Mark said. "He missed a couple of starts early and then just refused to be kept out of lineup. He didn't practice a lot, to be honest. He'd try to practice, but his knee wouldn't let him, but we could always count on him on Friday nights."

Outside of the injury, it was a tough season at Sumter High, at least to their standards. The Gamecocks lost to Crestwood and failed to claim a region title. Both were firsts for Mark's tenure. Still, the Gamecocks made a playoff push, winning twice before a 35-7 loss to White Knoll. That season came with a lot of lessons for the Gamecocks.

"You just got to believe," Jerius, who settled in for good at guard that season, said of what he learned as a junior. "When it gets to that time, you've got to put your all into it, you have to sacrifice, you need to give effort into the game."

SPECIAL SENIOR SEASON

After a tumultuous junior season, Jerius and the Gamecocks pulled out all of the stops during the offseason leading into his final year at Sumter High.

"We knew we only had one more chance left, and we saw that we had some kids that were going to be good," Jerius said of his mindset this offseason. "We had to fill in some spots, and we were going to be a real good team. Everybody started to believe. We knew we had the people to go deep this year."

While Jerius and the Gamecocks have been confident all year, the turning point came on Aug. 30 with a trip to White Knoll. Playing on the same field where they ended their season the year prior, Sumter High put together a comeback for the ages. They trailed 33-13 at halftime before storming back to force overtime, winning with a field goal in the second extra period 43-40.

"It showed that we were some dogs and so that we ain't just gonna lay down after you come up big on us," Jerius said of the win.

On Friday, Sumter High finished a perfect 10-0 regular season. It was their first regular season without a loss since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. They blew out Ridge View 49-6 to earn a bye in the 5A playoffs. They get the week off before hosting either West Ashley or Ashley Ridge in the second round. While Jerius has dreams of a state title, he's keeping his feet planted in the present.

"We talk about it, but we're really talking about what we're going to do this week," Jerius said. "Monday through Friday, we talk about what we're going to do this Friday. We don't really entertain the state conversation. We're going to get there when we get there; you're going to see us when you see us. Then we're going to be like, 'What are we going to do in the state game?' Until then, I'll wonder what I'm going to do tomorrow."

GENTLE GIANT

While Jerius is a mauler in the trenches, he's far from a stoic offensive lineman off the field.

If you walk down the sideline at a Sumter High football game, you'll likely see Jerius flashing a giant grin, laughing with his teammates. That mentality comes from a Christian upbringing. He went to Sumter Christian for most of elementary school and grew up in a loving household with his mother and grandparents.

"He has always been my gentle giant," Stephanie said. "He's got a praying mother and a praying grandmother, so I've always told him, 'You're big in stature, but you do not have to portray yourself in a mean and angry way.' He is the gentlest person, and I know I'm biased being his mom, but he's still a gentle giant. When he's on that field, he has a job to do."

Stephanie certainly wants Jerius to show off both sides of the coin.

"Our little ritual before every game, I'll say a little prayer with him and pray for the team and make sure they do well and I wish them well, but I tell my beast, 'Make sure you give mama her pancake,'" Stephanie said, referencing a block that leaves a defender flat on the ground.

Jerius is a family first student-athlete. While his grandfather, whom Jerius calls "Dah," was fighting cancer through Jerius' youth, the family's gentle giant spent a lot of his time in the hospital by his side.

"He would sit in the hospital and read to him (from) whatever books from school," Stephanie said. "He would make sure his Dah had somewhere to sit in the shade because he was on chemotherapy during the football games. He's just a very family oriented, God-fearing giant."

Jerius' softer side also has a place on the field. He's a true leader for the Gamecocks in the trenches, especially with a group that has just one other senior, Taveon Brown.

"He's God-centered. His faith is important to him, and he doesn't just talk about, I think he lives as well," Mark said. "Generally, those types of people are going to make good-quality decisions and be positive role models and great guys in locker room for you, and he certainly has been for us.

"He's been a great leader for us on and off the field, in the classroom. I don't know that I've ever had a conversation with anybody who said a negative word about Jerius, so that speaks highly of his character. He's a winner, and he wins in everything he does."

PASSING THE TORCH

As Jerius was climbing through the ranks of the Sumter High offensive line, he had plenty of mentors. He credits Mason Gregg, Braylon Burris and Randy Howard for helping him develop quickly. Because he made the jump to varsity so young, he made a quick transition to leader thanks to a wealth of experience.

"It switched fast, but I kinda realized the change once Mason left (after) my sophomore year," Jerius said. "I knew I was kinda gonna be the middle man and teach everyone what was going on because I know so much.

"I love taking them under my wing."

He also learned to have that voice because Stephanie empowered him to speak up at a young age. She sees Jerius' teammates in the trenches as her nephews and loves to help them along just as much as her son does.

"I wanted to make sure that he had that great (religious) foundation and always had open communication," Stephanie said. "He wasn't going to hear no all the time, but he wasn't going to hear yes all the time, and I told him that it was OK. And just like I'm not going to hear yes all the time, I'm not going to hear no all the time, I respect your point of view. I taught him at a young age that he has a voice, and I think that stands out on his football team."

For Mark, Jerius is the perfect example of a player who embraces the concept of continuing to build the program.

"Jerius is not a product of our program because he would have been a good player no matter where he played, but he understands the program and the process," Mark said. "You learn from older guys, then you teach younger guys. And he is definitely one that I hope that all our young linemen and young players are watching and trying to emulate the way he conducts himself on the practice field and elsewhere."

MAKING THE MOST OF HIS LAST RIDE

While the offensive line can be an underappreciated position group, Jerius is starting to grab the attention of people across the state.

In December, Jerius and Peeples will represent the Gamecocks in the Touchstone Energy Bowl, one of the premier all-star games in the state. He was thankful to get the nod from the coaching staff.

"You've just got to be grateful; just take all the thanks and grace you get, take all the support you get, and if they say you make an all-star game, you better be grateful you made that all-star game because sometimes they don't see the smaller guys," Jerius said. "I'm lucky to be there."

Maybe most importantly, he'll get to make that journey with a running back he's played alongside for years.

"It's going to be a good time. It's a sweet little ending after the season," he said. "Through all that came, we're going out together. It's cool."

As Peeples secured himself in the record books at Sumter High, Jerius has always joked that he deserves a spot on the plaque. But this is his way of getting that nod.

"I scored those 70 or however many touchdowns; I was there for all of them. That's all the offensive line. We should get with him, he should buy us dinner soon," Jerius quipped. "I make jokes with him, I'm with John all the time, he's my guy. 'Hey, remember that touchdown? That's me, I made that block.'"

Jerius doesn't know exactly what his football future holds. He has a handful of offers, and Newberry is certainly a program that grabbed his attention after attending their homecoming recently, but nothing is set in stone. For now, Jerius wants to make the most out of his final run at Sumter High.

"I just wanna win it all with my guys, the guys I've been with for four years," he said. "We spend so much time together as a team. Every time after practice, they have to force us to go home. We'll stay out in the parking lot after hours just talking and chatting it up. Every time we're in that school, we're around each other, so it's going to mean a lot to go big."