Greenville, inspired by coach, tops Pelham

As players and coaches file by Williams, no words are exchanged. His eyes remain fixed on the field, taking it all in, perhaps wondering how many more special moments like this he will be allowed to enjoy.

In the locker room before the game, players are doing different things to relax. Four of the linemen are taking catnaps under the weight machines. Defensive end Ricky Bell is stretched out on a bench, talking via cellphone to his girlfriend and sending her text messages. Offensive lineman Kenarious Gates, the team's major-college prospect at 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, leads a group of five people playing a card game in the middle of the room.

About an hour before kickoff, it's time to get serious. Williams closes his office door and changes into his lucky coaching clothes -- khaki pants, along with a gray pullover sweatshirt with the Patriots logo. When Williams began coaching at Greenville in 2002, he was famous among his players for always wearing short sleeves, even in frigid temperatures.

However, with the ALS spreading to both arms and his left foot, with no muscle left to insulate the bones, Williams has been wearing warmer outfits since last year. As he prepares for the game, assistant coach Rob Fowler helps Williams zip his pants, while defensive coordinator Tripp Busby assists with navigating the sweatshirt over his head. Williams has a big smile on the face when his outfit is complete and slaps his assistants on the back.

As the Greenville players walk up a steep hill toward the field for warmups, Williams drives his cart the long way around to avoid an irrigation ditch. At midfield, Pelham coach Jim Morrell waits with a big hug and handshake for the opposing coach. Williams coached under Morrell at a different high school, and they both joke about Friday's game being like a "family reunion." Williams walks over to Pelham quarterback Caleb Morrell, the coach's son, and says, "Take it easy on us tonight," while grinning.

After the team returns to the locker room, Busby launches into an emotional speech, saying, "Some people think that spread-offense teams are 'soft.' But we're going to knock them in the mouth on offense and defense tonight." Williams walks forward to the center of the room and carefully looks at each player's eyes before speaking softly.

"We're going to win, and we're going to have fun doing it. Just keep doing the things we've done all year, and we'll be fine, men."

Shortly before kickoff, the team sprints through a hastily made banner that reads "Congrats to Greenville, the region champions." Most of the team is so focused and excited that they run directly to the sidelines to celebrate with the fans. Senior Marterious Parks lingers behind with a few teammates, spots the coach's son, Jacob, in a wheelchair next to the band and runs over to exchange high-fives.

Jacob, 6, is wearing a Greenville jersey with his last name on the back. He has casts on both legs after undergoing his ninth surgery for spina bifida two days earlier. Both casts are painted red and autographed by all of the team's players.

A few minutes into the game, Greenville appears to be on its way to another blowout win with a 7-0 lead. Then things fall apart, with penalties and mistakes running the option offense. The frustration mounts for Williams, who knows he can't be heard in the stadium atmosphere.

He gets his points across with long stares at certain players.

On one play, Greenville quarterback Mario Alford scrambles backward to elude being sacked. Then he runs backward some more, hoping to find space on the other side of the field. He takes a 35-yard loss on the play. This time, Williams walks over to his quarterback and repeatedly points forward, indicating to run straight ahead rather than back and forth in the other direction. Alford shakes his head in agreement with his coach.

The game's biggest drama occurs with two minutes left before halftime. Twice, the Patriots have possession of the ball at the Pelham 1-yard line, and twice they turn the ball over on fumbles from errant snap exchanges.

Greenville is leading 7-0 at halftime, but the dejected players believe the score should be 21-0. They walk into the locker room as if they are losing. Gates, who is considered a gentle giant, yells to his teammates. "Everybody in here, pick your head up. We're not losing this game, we're winning. We're playing their game, not ours."

After Busby delivers another passionate speech, Williams takes center stage and complete silence fills the room. "Are you guys ready to finish playing football this year? I'm not, and I don't think you are, either." Nothing more really needs to be said.

In the second half, after a 30-minute delay when the lights at the stadium go out, Greenville scores two quick touchdowns and never looks back in the 25-0 win. Greenville High and its inspiring coach will get to play another day.

As the two teams exchanged postgame handshakes, the losing coach -- Morrell -- has tears in eyes as he hands the "game ball" to Williams.

He gives Williams a big hug and says, "I love you, coach. You have a great team, and you're a great man. We're praying for you."