Williams' 2 TDs lead Bellflower to outright crown
LYNWOOD ❯❯ Heading into Friday's game versus Lynwood, the Bellflower football team had already made history. Last week, the Buccaneers clinched at least a share of the MidCities League title for the second consecutive year. It was the first time Bellflower had won back-toback league titles since 1981 and 1982.
With Friday's 16-10 victory over Lynwood, Bellflower clinched the league title outright, which it did not do last season, having shared the 2022 title with Norwalk.
Bellflower coach Jason Williams stressed his team's professionalism pregame.
“We celebrated a lot last week,” Miller said. “We're just about our business. I even tried to get our kids pumped up about history, but this is just a businessminded group so we just want to take care of business going into our bye week.”
Marvin Williams propelled Bellflower (7-3, 4-0) on offense, rushing for 193 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns. Williams also had one interception, while Kamarion Flores had two of his own.
Williams has seen his team's hard work pay off.
“It felt good,” Williams said. “We've been working hard all practice, all year, all summer, all spring, everything. It felt good to be here. This is my first time with the team. I came here late. I'm happy we won back-to-back Mid-Cities League championships.”
Lynwood converted a turnover into points early. On Bellflower's second play, Lynwood piled on a fumble at the Buccaneer 40. The Knights overcame four early penalties to get to the Bellflower 8-yard line before Erick Villalobos hit a 25-yard field goal to give Lynwood a 3-0 lead in the first quarter.
Bellflower pulled ahead to start the second quarter. On third-and-2, Williams ran up the middle to give Bellflower a 6-3 lead. Williams then scored on the 2-point conversion attempt to extend the lead to 8-3 with 10:05 left in the half.
Lynwood moved the ball, but multiple turnovers killed the Knights' momentum.
After Bellflower's touchdown, the Knights drove to the Bellflower 16, but Williams' diving interception stopped the threat. Williams factored in on Bellflower's ensuing possession, rushing for more than 55 yards, including a 33-yard rush to the end zone for a 14-3 lead. Tristan Green converted the 2-point conversion attempt to push Bellflower's lead to 16-3 with 3:01 left in the half.
Lynwood opened the second half with a short field after Tyrus Taylor recovered a Bellflower fumble at the Buccaneers' 33-yard-line. Lynwood would advance the ball to the Bellflower 12, but Flores picked off Jordan Sewell to stymie the Lynwood again.