Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Williams runs past Zebras to 5A final
Teams in the Class 5A state playoffs are being confronted with what teams in the 5A-West Conference face on a weekly basis.
The presence of Bo Williams in the Shiloh Christian backfield.
Williams extended his impressive senior season by leading Shiloh Christian to a 49-41 victory over Pine Bluff in a semifinal game at Jordan Stadium in Pine Bluff. Williams is an all-state running back who rushed for 1,482 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior. He’s taken on an even bigger role as a senior for Shiloh Christian, where freshman Cole Creighton won the starting quarterback position before the season began.
Shiloh Christian leaned on Williams even more, especially after Creighton was injured, and he had a stellar game last week when he rushed for 269 yards and 5 touchdowns in the win over Pine Bluff. Williams also had 3 receptions for 34 yards and he returned a kick for 35 yards.
“Bo is an awesome young man,” Shiloh Christian Coach Tucker Barnard said. “I couldn’t be happier for him and the success he’s having. He’s a great teammate and he has an incredible work ethic.”
Williams will end his high school career on Saturday when Shiloh Christian (11-2) faces Little Rock Parkview (13-0) in the Class 5A state championship game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
The Zebras appeared headed to Little Rock to play for a state championship after they gained a 35-19 lead over the Saints. But Shiloh Christian refused to fold in a hostile environment and seized momentum by outscoring Pine Bluff 20-0 in the third quarter.
Williams scored early in the fourth quarter to put the Saints ahead 46-35. Williams’ fifth touchdown of the night and a field goal set the final margin for Shiloh Christian, which beat Hot Springs and Valley View in the playoffs before eliminating Pine Bluff last week. Williams scored three touchdowns each in the 42-30 victory over Valley View and the 58-22 win over Hot Springs.