When you’re the first high school football player in Florida in more than 20 years to record 1,000 yards both receiving and rushing in the same season, you know you’re going to draw some attention.
Buchholz senior Justin Williams entered his final season as a Bobcat expecting defenses to double and triple-team him, doing whatever they could to keep the ball out of his hands. Even so, Williams says the focus this year isn’t about matching last season’s numbers, it’s about winning the last game of the season.
“I could tell from the first game that teams were going to bracket me and do things to not allow the ball to get into my hands,” Williams said. “But that honestly didn’t matter to me. We were still winning games, and that’s all I care about.”
The Bobcats have won more than 40 games during Williams’ high school career, reaching the state semifinals each season. But Buchholz is still chasing its first state championship, something Williams and his teammates have set their sights on this fall.
“We lost several older guys from last year’s team, so we’re definitely a younger group,” Williams said. “But Coach Whit (Mark Whittemore) and the rest of the staff have done a great job getting the young guys to figure things out and do their job. I think we’ve exceeded expectations, and it’s been fun to watch us get better every week.”
Part of Williams’ slower start statistically this season came as he adjusted to a new quarterback. Sophomore Andrew Whittemore took over behind center, and his rapid development has powered Buchholz’s recent surge, winning the last 3 games by a combined score of 139–23.
“Andrew has been awesome, really working hard to get the offense down and make us a better football team,” Williams said. “The way he comes to practice every day and works makes all of us want to work harder. We’ve really found a connection and things have definitely clicked these last few weeks.”
That connection was on full display last week against Bartram Trail, when Whittemore hit Williams for 10 catches, 154 yards and two touchdowns. Williams added 60 rushing yards and two more scores as the Bobcats clinched another district title. The 214-yard, four-touchdown performance earned him the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week honor.
“It’s a great honor. There are so many good athletes in this area, to be recognized as one of them is really cool,” Williams said. “But I have to give a shoutout to my O-line. They work really hard, and if they weren’t out there opening holes and protecting the quarterback, I wouldn’t have the success that I do.”
Williams, ranked as the nation’s No. 14 athlete and committed to the University of Florida, has excelled both as a runner and receiver. He said he doesn’t have a preference between the two roles - he just enjoys making plays.
“It’s fun going up and taking the ball away from a defender. I’ll never forget the catch I had against Spruce Creek earlier this year,” Williams said. “But there’s something about a big run. The adrenaline gets going and I love trying to outrun someone to the end zone - there’s just nothing like it.”
Williams said the support from the Buchholz crowd on Friday nights fuels that excitement.
“It’s so cool to look up into the stands and see everyone cheering us on,” he said. “If we can be at home throughout the playoffs, that would be a huge advantage as we try to finish this season the right way.”
The Bobcats (8–1) are ranked fourth in the state and close out the regular season on Halloween night at Cardinal Newman (7–2) in West Palm Beach. Both teams are averaging more than 30 points a game, setting up what should be another offensive showcase.
Each weekly UF Health Athlete of the Week winner becomes eligible for the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year Scholarship, a $2,500 award presented at the end of the 2025–26 academic year.