High school football: Lancers aim to tell Darts 'The Truth'

A lot of people figured Layton High's running game was doomed when star tailback LaVaughn Jackson broke his foot in the team's season-opener.

But those people didn't know the truth about his replacement, Karl Williams.

Williams, nicknamed "The Truth," has stepped into Jackson's spot and played admirably the last three weeks. He has rushed for 463 yards on 74 carries. Despite Fremont loading up the box against him last week, Williams rushed for 174 yards and a touchdown.

The Lancers will need him to keep up his production in a big Region 1 rivalry game against Davis tonight. Williams will continue to carry the load for the Lancers, as Jackson is expected to miss another two or three games.

"I knew I had it (in me)," Williams said. "It was just a matter of getting an opportunity to show what I could do. I have to say our line has really stepped up and helped out."

The entire Lancers team has had to step up in Jackson's absence. Layton's defense, other than how it played in a shootout loss to Cottonwood, has been stout. The Lancers allowed an average of nine points in their three victories.

"They were so good last year, and I'm not so sure that they're not every bit as good as they were last year, and in some aspects better," said Davis coach Ryan Bishop. "I'm very impressed. They get one running back (Jackson) hurt and the other kid (Williams) has been phenomenal."

Quarterback Camren Applegate has done a fine job of running the Lancers' offense. He'll probably need to make some plays tonight against one of the state's stingiest defenses for Layton to have some success.

A grand total of three touchdowns have been scored on the Darts this season. One came on a kickoff return for a score by Brighton, and one was an interception return for a touchdown in a game against Kamehameha, Hawaii. Kamehameha is the only team to score on Davis' defense as it completed a touchdown pass on the Darts in the fourth quarter of their Week 3 matchup.

"They're very good on defense," said Layton coach Jim Batchelor. "They fly around to the ball."

Bishop has been more than pleased with how his defense has performed so far this season. He said his offense and special teams will need to step up in tonight's matchup.

Davis' offense is paced by running back Tanner Hinds, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games.