Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Farmington’s Supreme Court Justice
FROM SMASH-MOUTH FOOTBALL TO DIPLOMACY
FARMINGTON — Imagine a Supreme Court justice, who rides a motorcycle to work, plays tailback on the football team, and harbors ambition to become a U.S. Marshal.
Hollywood might wield creative license with such a script, yet reality is a whole lot closer to home.
This is the life of Farmington tailback Caleb Williams, an incoming senior who seeks to improve on his junior season when he missed two games because of injury. Last year Williams carried the football 109 times, gaining 423 yards for an average rush of 3.9. His long run was 43 yards. He had a 100-yard game and scored 2 touchdowns on the ground. Williams also caught 6 passes for 49 yards, accounting for 8.2-yards-per-catch with a long gain of 17 yards. He had no fumbles.
There is no diplomacy in smash-mouth football, but over the summer break Williams took time to broaden his horizons. Williams attended Boys State May 28 - June 2, getting away from a routine of working in the daytime and working out with the Cardinal football team.
The days were full with participants arising to do calisthenics at 6 a.m. and going to bed at midnight.
Williams was elected as party secretary, then ran for Boys State Associate Supreme Court Justice and was elected by a landslide.
“It was really cool getting to run for that office and giving a speech to my county,” Williams said.
That was followed by speeches to his party as he won the Federalist nomination, then to the whole delegation, 600 young men.
“I won by 82 percent of the votes. That definitely gave me some insight on how it works,” Williams said. “I’ll see how everything aligns after college. I might run for something.”
Williams then held court along with six other young men elected to the Boys State Supreme Court.
Williams was intrigued by a discussion on whether or not a ruling on the Arkansas death penalty was Constitutionally sound. He noted the real State Supreme Court was under pressure when the issue was raised by death-row inmates weeks ago.
“They had to do that in a hurry because the (lethal injection) drugs would be expired,” Williams said.
Williams admitted he was cautious going into Boys State, yet said the experience helped him grow.
“A lot of speakers shared their views on subjects that helped me step back and look at a situation,” Williams said. “No matter my prejudice, to consider both sides of the argument before I make my decision.”
Williams has no definite plans to go into politics. However, he does intend to serve his country. After getting a college degree Williams wants to pursue a career with the U.S. Marshal Service.
“I’ve always had a brotherly presence, I’ve had a big brother and a little sister, to help people when they needed help,” Williams said. “I felt law enforcement was a way to go help people. With my career, that’s a way to do that.”
Williams and his older brother Josh were purposedly named by their parents, Paul and Melisa Williams, of Farmington; for a pair of spies sent out by Moses. His namesake, Caleb of the Old Testament, maintained an impeccable record.
“I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then,” Caleb stated in Joshua 14:11 (NIV).
This was 45 years after the spy mission and according to Joshua 14:14, 85-year-old Caleb conquered Hebron “because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.”
Williams longs to be among the first Cardinal team to cross over into the promised land of the 5A State football playoffs.
“Our team goals are to make the playoffs, take every game one game at a time,” Williams said. “Last year we got ahead of ourselves. We have to prepare mentally and physically, and prepare for the team ahead, take one game at a time.”
At a recent weight-lifting meet, the Cardinals showed their devotion, proving themselves one of the strongest football teams in Arkansas. As Farmington head coach Mike Adams (193-1322) quietly pursues 200 career wins, Williams realizes the significance.
“That would be an amazing moment. His motto this year is ‘Pay the price,’” Williams said. “If we were the team to lead him there, it would definitely be worth it. The team, as a whole, is a reflection of his time and effort he’s poured into the program.”