By RICK FORTENBAUGH
FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. - When the Pennsbury’s High School football team’s standout player Eric Williams committed to the University of Pittsburgh last week, it couldn’t help but raise memories of the path of former Philadelphia Eagle great Troy Vincent.
Just like Vincent, Williams grew up in a city before moving to the upscale and tranquil borough of Yardley in the Pennsbury School District.
For those not familiar with this small town on the banks of the Delaware River in Lower Bucks County, the “I Brake for Ducks in Yardley’’ bumper sticker can be spotted on many a car.
Just like Vincent, Williams got a relatively late start in the sport of football and had no idea growing up that any of this might be part of his future.
And just like Vincent, the result was a Division 1 scholarship as a defensive back for an excellent athlete who has made a meteoric rise from virtual obscurity.
“Really, I had no idea,’’ replied Williams with a chuckle when told about the Vincent comparison. “That is kind of amazing when you think about it.’’
For the record, Vincent grew up in Trenton and didn’t play football until his senior year after being “recruited’’ out of gym class by former Pennsbury head coach Jim Dundala.
Very few colleges were even aware of Vincent, although somehow the University of Wisconsin managed to both find and sign the future All-American and first round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins.
When Williams moved from Northeast Philadelphia to Yardley with his father four year ago, he also had never played organized football.
Sure enough, Williams got spotted in gym class, was talked into coming out for the sport and the rest - as they say - is history.
“When I was a freshman, coaches started telling me during intramurals that I should give football a shot,’’ recalled Williams. “It turned out to be a great break for me.’’
Football also helped Williams meet new friends and adapt to the more laid-back lifestyle in the suburbs.
“I love the city,’’ he said. “There was always something going on; there was always something to do. I wouldn’t say moving to Yardley was a shock, but there were certainly a lot of adjustments.
“Playing football helped me fit in.’’
Although Williams is a gifted natural athlete, he wasn’t an instant football star. Last year was the first time he got significant varsity playing time, and he was mainly known as a cover corner.
“I really wasn’t very good when I first got started,’’ said Williams. “About the only thing I had going for me was I was bigger than just about everyone else.’’
In a sport like football, of course, size does matter. Today Williams has grown into a 6- 3 frame and weighs a solid 210 pounds. Speed helps as well, and Williams is in great shape on this front after getting clocked in a quick 4.70 in the 40.
Williams’ size and speed got him noticed by the college scouts last year, but now his accomplishments on the field are also drawing rave reviews.
This season Williams has moved from cornerback to safety and has shown he’s a sure tackler. He’s particularly effective at coming up and delivering a hit when the opposition attempts to flank Pennsbury’s front seven.
Williams has also developed into his team’s main receiver. It’s not the Pennsbury way to traditionally throw the ball, but with a weapon like Williams in the arsenal, the Falcons’ “Ground and Pound’’ mentality may change a bit.
Another plus for Pennsbury is the way Williams has developed into a team leader. During a game, he can constantly be heard loudly encouraging his teammates and congratulating someone for making a play.
While Williams gives Pennsbury big-play capability on offense, there’s no doubt what the University of Pittsburgh has in mind for the upcoming years.
“We haven’t gotten into the specifics yet of whether I’ll be a free or strong safety, but Pitt did recruit me to play safety,’’ said Williams.
“I began getting mail at the start of my junior year. I had some other good choices like Syracuse and Vanderbilt, but I’m glad I chose Pitt.’’
The fact the University of Pittsburgh is in a city didn’t hurt the Panthers’ recruiting chances either. Or to put it another way, you can take the kid out of the city, but you can’t necessarily take the city out of the kid.
“Yeah, that was a big part of it,’’ acknowledged Williams of the Pittsburgh setting. “It will be kind of like going back to where I grew up.’’
With his college plans now settled, Williams can concentrate on what has the potential to be a very exciting senior season. Pennsbury is off to a promising 2-0 start and has many of the key players back from a team that went 9-3 a year ago and advanced to the district quarterfinals.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do this year,’’ said Williams.
As Pennsbury fans are looking forward to watching Williams.
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