Dexter senior FB standout follows Mahomes' path in all-star outing

Dexter High School senior defensive back Rhyder Williams may not appear to have that much in common with Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, but in actuality, he does.

As a high school senior in Texas, Mahomes participated in the prestigious Blue-Grey All-American Bowl, which is exactly what Williams did on Monday.

Williams was one of a handful of Missouri natives who played in the game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (home stadium of the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers), as he started for the North squad.

He received the opportunity after participating in a regional combine of high school seniors in Kansas City last year.

“It was a good time,” Williams said of the game. “There were a lot of cool people there.”

And a lot of talented athletes, as well.

“It was pretty intense,” Williams said. “I was getting to know people from everywhere. It was a great experience.”

Williams started for the North squad at safety and made a pair of pass deflections.

The players rotated through in order to get equal playing time, however, the defensive coaches told the players late in the game, as the North was trying to rally from behind that “We want the best players out there,” according to Williams.

Williams was one of those “best players.”

He played on the final defensive series and felt that he “held my own.”

“I thought it was going to be a lot worse,” Williams said. “But I thought I could hang with these guys. You have to use a lot of mental (skills).”

Williams said some of the players were not in top condition due to their football seasons ending months ago, but he had spent this winter training under the guidance of second-year Bearcat football coach Chad Jamerson.

“I was prepared,” Williams said. “I felt good.”

Williams was a key part of the Bearcats’ resurgence over the past two seasons. He totaled eight interceptions this past season, as Dexter won the most games (six) since the 2011 season.

“It’s got to be in the neighborhood (of the school record),” Jamerson said of Williams’ interceptions. “Rhyder is a testament to what hard work and focus is.”

Following the season, Williams was honored with the 30th annual Charles Bland Award, which is presented to the senior Bearcat football player who is the most well-rounded student-athlete.

Unfortunately for Williams, he also has this in common with Mahomes, as his team lost 41-31 to the South squad, just as the Chiefs fell to the Buccaneers three years ago at Raymond James Stadium in Super Bowl 55.

“It’s crazy to think about,” Williams said of the experience. “I just tried to take it all in.”

Williams was joined in the game by Poplar Bluff High School wide receiver Darius Graham and linebacker Logan Hite.