San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Player of the Year award a ‘team thing’
Williams credits teammates, heads to Wyoming after two state titles
Upon learning he was chosen the Chronicle’s 2023 Metro Player of the Year, Charles Williams was at a loss for words. So instead, the multitalented Marin Catholic-Kentfield senior resorted to what comes naturally. • Sharing. • “I really don’t know what to say,” he said. “My parents. My coaches. All my teammates. They all put me in this position. I’m just very, very grateful. I’ve been thoroughly supported. Throughout my career.” • His response was consistent with his answer earlier in the season about scoring so many touchdowns. He finished with 30, split among rushing (23), receiving (two) and returns (five).
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound running back, cornerback and returner led his team to North Coast Section, regional and state (3-A) championships along with a 14-1 record. All those banners buttoned up a celebration-worthy three-year run as a starter and four-year career that included 46 victories and just three defeats.
Williams, who has committed to Wyoming, said every championship and victory was laced in a process, a day-by-day, hour-byhour, assignment-by-assignment attention to detail. And when the game-day accomplishment was carried out — a touchdown — Williams never danced, pranced or brought extra attention to himself.
Instead, he sought out the linemen and receivers who sprung him loose, and the quarterback who flipped him the ball.
“People don’t see the dirty work, all the hard stuff the lineman do to get me in the open field,” Williams said. “It takes all of them. I’m just one guy running. I have the easy part. Touchdowns are a team thing, for sure. And, honestly, so is this award.”
Marin Catholic head coach Mazi Moayed, in his 14th season, said he isn’t surprised by Williams’ individual deflections, and certainly not by his production. He calls Williams the most complete player — “with a unique skill set” — he ever has coached or gone against.
This season, Williams rushed 192 times for 1,361 yards, caught 19 passes for 418 yards and had a schoolrecord 11 interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns.
“He’s very low-key, humble, funny and heartfelt,” Moayed said.
“He really cares about the people around him. He loves his teammates and community. He leaves nobody out.
“Bottom line, it’s not all about him. Not one time in four years did he ever demand the ball or ask for more touches. He let the coaches coach, the players play, and he just did his job.”
But Moayed and the Wildcats definitely leaned on him down the stretch. And did he ever deliver, combining for 524 all-purpose yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions in his final three games, each of which secured a championship.
The state title was the second in three years for Williams, but this one was even more special considering it was his final game, a 38-18 victory over Mayfair-Lakewood at El Camino College in Torrance (Los Angeles County). The Wildcats defeated Central Valley Christian Visalia for the Division 4-AA title in 2021 when Marin Catholic quarterback Michael Ingrassia was selected Metro Co-Player of the Year, eight years after another Marin Catholic QB, Jared Goff, won the award outright.
“Winning state as a sophomore at home was amazing, but I probably didn’t realize how significant it was,” Williams said. “To finish it off in our last game as seniors together was the best feeling in the world. To buckle down on the road, basically going to their house, gave it even more meaning. I’m so proud of our guys.”