Maurice "Moe" Williams: The Orange High School Quarterback Making History
In the heart of Essex County, amidst the vibrant city of Orange, a future star is etching his name into the annals of high school football history. Meet Maurice "Moe" Williams, the Senior Quarterback of Orange High School, who is not only a rising star on the field but a symbol of respect and humility off it.
For Moe, football has always been a part of his identity, and so has the number 3. "Number 3 has always been my number since I was a kid," Moe explains with a twinkle in his eye. "I loved number 3; it's been a number that I just grasped." However, he acknowledges the history behind the number, considering it a "sacred number" in Orange High School's history.
Number 3 holds a special place in Orange High's lore, as it was retired in honor of Willie Graves, who tragically passed away in 1996. Willie Graves had worn the number 3 jersey, and out of deep respect, the school retired it. Over the years, it briefly came out of retirement for players like Corey Boyd in 2001 and Robert Wright in 2005. However, it had remained untouched until Moe's request. He sought the blessings of the legends themselves and, with their approval, was entrusted with the historic number. Moe humbly accepted the responsibility of wearing it with honor and pride.
Corey Boyd, the last player to wear the revered number 3 before Moe, is an inspiration in his own right. Boyd went on to play college football at South Carolina and even made it to the NFL. His success serves as a testament to the talent and determination that Orange High School nurtures.
Moe's aspirations reach beyond personal achievements; he aims to rewrite the record books for Orange High School. "My goal for this year is to do something that has never been done before in school history," he declares. "Win a conference championship and potentially win a state championship." Moe's determination is evident in his every move, both on and off the field.
For Moe, success is not accidental; it's the result of dedication and hard work. He made a significant leap in his performance from his junior to senior year, and he attributes this growth to his relentless off-season work. "I stayed consistent with everything I did," he explains. "I watched every single snap that I played my junior year. I did way more mental work than physical to elevate myself as a QB than an athlete. I tweaked a few things and got comfortable with the place Coach Red got for us." His commitment to self-improvement shines through.
Moe acknowledges the importance of humility in his journey. He recognizes that as a quarterback, all eyes are on him, both on and off the field. His coach, Coach Red, instilled this virtue in him throughout the years. "What I've learned is to remain humble through it all," he says with a nod. It's a lesson that resonates deeply with him.
"It's a surreal experience," Moe says, reflecting on his journey. "Since I've been a kid, I've been talking about being an Orange legend. To be mentioned in the same conversations as people I heard legends about... man, it's a different feeling." He exudes pride and gratitude for the opportunity. "I'm very humbled through it all," he adds, "but work is never done, of course."
Moe's journey has not been without recognition and offers. He holds a scholarship from LIU, which he earned through his hard work and dedication. He had an offer from Temple, but it's believed that the slot got filled by another talented quarterback, Chris Ditriech.
Throughout his high school career, Moe has consistently shown growth and improvement. His stats speak for themselves:
- Freshman Year: 20/44, over 400 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 40 carries, 400 yards, one touchdown.
- Junior Year: 61/124, 1274 yards, 19 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 48 carries, 488 yards, 4 touchdowns.
- Senior Year (4 games): 60/99, 1139 yards, 17 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 25 carries, over 250 yards, and 3 scores.
His dedication and unwavering commitment have paid off, making him a pivotal part of the Orange High School football program for four years straight.
This fall, the Orange High School football team is making waves with a record of 3-1, showcasing their dominance on the field. They've outscored their opponents 153 to 34, including two impressive shutouts. Under the skilled guidance of Coach Khalfani Alleyne, this team is a force to be reckoned with. Senior wide receiver Ma'khy Acey has been a standout player, with 16 receptions for 358 yards and an impressive 5 touchdowns. Juniors Sameir Ward and Samir Wilkins have also been making their mark, each accumulating over 200 yards and scoring at least 3 touchdowns. On the defensive side, sophomore Tyshawn Boyd, known as a "Monster," has already notched 2 touchdown catches and 1.5 sacks, along with blocking 2 kicks. Junior linebacker Shamar Myers has been a tackling machine, amassing 40 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception. With this level of talent and teamwork, Orange High School football is on a path to a memorable season.
Orange High School's next game is a highly anticipated showdown against Barringer HS in Newark on Friday Night at 7pm at Newark Schools Stadium. In recent years, these two teams have engaged in closely contested battles, with Orange going 2-2 in their last four meetings. Last year, they faced a setback with a 25-14 loss to Barringer. However, this year, Barringer comes into the matchup with an impressive 3-0 record, and they are under the guidance of Coach David McCombs. Barringer boasts a formidable lineup, with senior QB Alexander Feliciano leading the charge and the potential all-state running back, senior Rakir Brown, who is often considered one of the most underrated tailbacks in all of New Jersey. Anchoring the offensive line is the imposing 6'1, 210-pound sophomore, Jayden Serrano. This upcoming game promises to be a thrilling clash of talent and determination on the gridiron.
As Moe continues to shine on the field and inspire others with his dedication and humility, he represents not just Orange High School but the spirit of determination and excellence that defines high school football in New Jersey. His journey is far from over, and all of NJ along with the rest of the country will be watching as he continues to make history, just one touchdown at a time.
For Moe, football has always been a part of his identity, and so has the number 3. "Number 3 has always been my number since I was a kid," Moe explains with a twinkle in his eye. "I loved number 3; it's been a number that I just grasped." However, he acknowledges the history behind the number, considering it a "sacred number" in Orange High School's history.
Number 3 holds a special place in Orange High's lore, as it was retired in honor of Willie Graves, who tragically passed away in 1996. Willie Graves had worn the number 3 jersey, and out of deep respect, the school retired it. Over the years, it briefly came out of retirement for players like Corey Boyd in 2001 and Robert Wright in 2005. However, it had remained untouched until Moe's request. He sought the blessings of the legends themselves and, with their approval, was entrusted with the historic number. Moe humbly accepted the responsibility of wearing it with honor and pride.
Corey Boyd, the last player to wear the revered number 3 before Moe, is an inspiration in his own right. Boyd went on to play college football at South Carolina and even made it to the NFL. His success serves as a testament to the talent and determination that Orange High School nurtures.
Moe's aspirations reach beyond personal achievements; he aims to rewrite the record books for Orange High School. "My goal for this year is to do something that has never been done before in school history," he declares. "Win a conference championship and potentially win a state championship." Moe's determination is evident in his every move, both on and off the field.
For Moe, success is not accidental; it's the result of dedication and hard work. He made a significant leap in his performance from his junior to senior year, and he attributes this growth to his relentless off-season work. "I stayed consistent with everything I did," he explains. "I watched every single snap that I played my junior year. I did way more mental work than physical to elevate myself as a QB than an athlete. I tweaked a few things and got comfortable with the place Coach Red got for us." His commitment to self-improvement shines through.
Moe acknowledges the importance of humility in his journey. He recognizes that as a quarterback, all eyes are on him, both on and off the field. His coach, Coach Red, instilled this virtue in him throughout the years. "What I've learned is to remain humble through it all," he says with a nod. It's a lesson that resonates deeply with him.
"It's a surreal experience," Moe says, reflecting on his journey. "Since I've been a kid, I've been talking about being an Orange legend. To be mentioned in the same conversations as people I heard legends about... man, it's a different feeling." He exudes pride and gratitude for the opportunity. "I'm very humbled through it all," he adds, "but work is never done, of course."
Moe's journey has not been without recognition and offers. He holds a scholarship from LIU, which he earned through his hard work and dedication. He had an offer from Temple, but it's believed that the slot got filled by another talented quarterback, Chris Ditriech.
Throughout his high school career, Moe has consistently shown growth and improvement. His stats speak for themselves:
- Freshman Year: 20/44, over 400 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 40 carries, 400 yards, one touchdown.
- Junior Year: 61/124, 1274 yards, 19 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 48 carries, 488 yards, 4 touchdowns.
- Senior Year (4 games): 60/99, 1139 yards, 17 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 25 carries, over 250 yards, and 3 scores.
His dedication and unwavering commitment have paid off, making him a pivotal part of the Orange High School football program for four years straight.
This fall, the Orange High School football team is making waves with a record of 3-1, showcasing their dominance on the field. They've outscored their opponents 153 to 34, including two impressive shutouts. Under the skilled guidance of Coach Khalfani Alleyne, this team is a force to be reckoned with. Senior wide receiver Ma'khy Acey has been a standout player, with 16 receptions for 358 yards and an impressive 5 touchdowns. Juniors Sameir Ward and Samir Wilkins have also been making their mark, each accumulating over 200 yards and scoring at least 3 touchdowns. On the defensive side, sophomore Tyshawn Boyd, known as a "Monster," has already notched 2 touchdown catches and 1.5 sacks, along with blocking 2 kicks. Junior linebacker Shamar Myers has been a tackling machine, amassing 40 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception. With this level of talent and teamwork, Orange High School football is on a path to a memorable season.
Orange High School's next game is a highly anticipated showdown against Barringer HS in Newark on Friday Night at 7pm at Newark Schools Stadium. In recent years, these two teams have engaged in closely contested battles, with Orange going 2-2 in their last four meetings. Last year, they faced a setback with a 25-14 loss to Barringer. However, this year, Barringer comes into the matchup with an impressive 3-0 record, and they are under the guidance of Coach David McCombs. Barringer boasts a formidable lineup, with senior QB Alexander Feliciano leading the charge and the potential all-state running back, senior Rakir Brown, who is often considered one of the most underrated tailbacks in all of New Jersey. Anchoring the offensive line is the imposing 6'1, 210-pound sophomore, Jayden Serrano. This upcoming game promises to be a thrilling clash of talent and determination on the gridiron.
As Moe continues to shine on the field and inspire others with his dedication and humility, he represents not just Orange High School but the spirit of determination and excellence that defines high school football in New Jersey. His journey is far from over, and all of NJ along with the rest of the country will be watching as he continues to make history, just one touchdown at a time.