BY MIKE PETTINELLA
Genesee County Spartans
Mikquon Williams saw that the Genesee County Spartans were heading in the wrong direction, so the 6-foot-1, 350-pound offensive lineman known as “Big Mike” stepped up in a big way – trading in his jersey to become head coach of the Northeastern Football Alliance football team.
Williams’ debut as the Spartans’ head coach couldn’t have gone much better as the Spartans defeated the host Charlotte Colonials, 20-8, on June 27. It was the club’s first victory after losses of 23-0 and 35-0 to begin the season
Wide receiver Marcus Barr hauls in a pass from quarterback Levi Wright in the fourth quarter of the Genesee Spartans’ 20-8 victory over the Charlotte Colonials in Northeastern Football Alliance action.
Quarterback Levi Wright passed for three touchdowns and rushed for 80 yards to lead Genesee County.
Wide receivers Marcus Barr and Darius Turner caught TD passes in the first half while running back George Hall hauled in a pass for a touchdown that was followed by James Brown’s catch of a pass for the two-point conversion in the second half.
On the defensive side, cornerback JayQuon Martin came up with an interception.
Williams said the team showed a high level of discipline on both sides of the ball, responding to his emphasis on teamwork and execution. He has taken over the head coaching duties from Jermaine Henderson, who resigned for personal reasons.
“I’ve been coaching for about seven years of my life, and one thing is when you have to press that reset button, you got to press it,” Williams said, a Rochester resident. “So, from this point on, we have a change in attitude and our mental approach to the game.”
A former coach at Wilson Magnet High School, Mansfield (Pa.) University and other collegiate programs, Williams said the Spartans’ are embracing a new motto – “Family, all for one and one for all.”
Running back Jzon Henderson is upended in the open field in the Spartans’ first win of the season. Photos courtesy of Genesee County Spartans.
Along with his coaching experience, Williams recruited 15 new players for the team.
“I come in with a lot of people, a good fan base, a lot of supporters – and a lot of them were either ex-players of mine or family members of even somebody who just supported what I do,” he said. “So, they wanted to play for me.”
The Spartans return to action at 5 p.m. on July 11th to face the winless Lake Erie Power Pines at Pembroke Town Park. Team President Tammy Hathaway said GEICO, a major sponsor of the Spartans, will be assisting in selecting two kids to act as honorary captains for the game.