By Justin Graves

justin@athensnews-courier.com

EAST LIMESTONE – Power football is the name of the game at East Limestone this season. The Indians feature one of the most solid offensive fronts it has ever had this season, with the unit averaging over 250 pounds as a unit.

With the talent and experience that East Limestone returns on the offensive line, the Indians’ running backs should come into the season more confident than ever. Having linemen like Dresden Williams doesn’t hurt that confidence any.

Williams anchors a veteran East Limestone offensive line with his six-foot, three-inch 280-pound muscular frame. With his quick feet, massive body and athletic ability, the senior tackle is one of the most sought after football players in the area. Williams has been named the No. 3 player on The News Courier’s list of Limestone Super Seniors.

“Having players like Dresden (Williams) up front takes some of the burden off us as coaches,” East Limestone coach Jeff Pugh said. “Players like that allow you to do more than you normally do. He is a hard worker and a strong leader on our football team, but the best thing is that he is an even better person than football player.

“When I came here, I changed our philosophy on the offensive line some. With the kind of athletes we have playing in the trenches, we can do a lot more with them. Our work sessions with the offensive line have looked real good so far this year.”

With East Limestone having two good athletes in Chad Dewitt and Jonathan Pinque in the backfield, combine that along with the Indians’ big offensive line, and it should make for a strong running attack.

“All of us have played together for a while,” Williams said. “We all challenge each other, and push one-another real hard.”

Pugh wants the personality of his offensive line to replicate the attitude of his senior tackle – playing hard-nosed, physical football every down. Williams believes that type of football is what best suits him.

“That’s the kind of game I like playing,” he said. “It’s the only way we know how to play here.”

Williams is considered one of the best football players in North Alabama and Pugh said the senior has caught the eyes of some college coaches. Pugh believes that Williams will take his game to the next level.

“We carried Dresden (Williams) to a camp this summer, and he had college coaches foaming at the mouth over him,” Pugh said. “He is big, strong and athletic, and that’s what it takes to play at that level. They told him they wanted to see how his season played out, but they also said he had the natural abilities to play Division I football.”

Williams will have the opportunity to show how he stacks up against other prospective collegiate linemen in East Limestone’s season opener against Athens on Saturday, September 2.

The college prospects for the Indians – Williams and R.J. Hall – will be matched up with two of the best defensive line prospects in the state – Carlos Jones and Alfred McCullough.

“We’re going to need our A game that night,” Williams said. “It’s going to be a battle down there, but that’s what we want. You can’t ever let up when you are playing against a team that has as much talent as Athens has. It should be a great game.”

Pugh agrees with his senior lineman.

“Athens has some of the best defensive linemen around,” he said. “Our guys can’t let up any that night.”

Williams thinks East Limestone has the opportunity to have an outstanding season this year, but he believes the Indians need to get off to a good start and never let up.

“We’ve got a lot of good players back, and this is what we’ve been waiting for all year,” he said.

“We’re just going to have to battle every week to make sure it happens.”