SPRINGDALE -- Hundreds of Northwest Arkansas prep football coaches and players paid their respects to Springdale High standout Kyler Williams at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium on Sunday evening.
Williams was killed Saturday night in a single-vehicle accident about five miles south of U.S. 412 near Marble. He was driving a 2002 Suzuki north on Arkansas 21 when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times before he was ejected, according to a fatal crash summary from Arkansas State Police. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene, said Jarred Rogers, Madison County coroner.
Just two days removed from one of the top performances in the history of one of the state's most storied football programs, many from teams across the region gathered at the stadium to honor Williams and write personal messages on banners with a "KW #3" centerpiece.
"Our thoughts and prayers are out to the community and our family here at Springdale High School," said Springdale Principal Pete Joenks. "We thank everyone for the love they've showed."
Bulldogs football coach Zak Clark was adamant the large crowd on campus wasn't solely due to Williams' abundant talent on the football field.
"What I told the kids is there's not all these people here because Kyler Williams caught touchdowns and a bunch of balls," Clark said. "That's not why we're crying right now. (We're crying) because of the type of kid he was, how he was loved by so many and what kind of friend he was to his teammates, classmates and people he came in contact with."
The receiver was sprinting toward a strong senior season and yet another All-State selection in leading the team to its best start in more than a decade. Following his 10-catch, 265-yard and three-touchdown night against Rogers Heritage on Friday, the senior had totaled 575 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in just four games to help the Red'Dogs to a 3-1 overall record.
Senior defensive end Isaiah Nichols took notice of Williams' demeanor and performance during the win over the War Eagles.
"At halftime we were all in the locker room, and looking at him you could tell something was different," Nichols said. "I don't know what it was. But, I mean, it's Kyler -- you're going to see him make clutch plays. It was just an amazing experience."
Nichols, among Williams' closest friends, also touched on one of his lasting memories of Williams and a fishing trip to Greenland with O'Shea Zebell and several other friends. The weather turned sour on the group, forcing them to retreat two miles through water in their sandals to the safety of the cars.
"There are so many moments I have with him, but that one right there sticks out," Nichols said. "He was my brother. I didn't consider him a friend; I considered him my brother. It wasn't just a friendship; it was a brotherhood. There aren't many people in my life that affected me the way he did.
"I love him. I miss him."
Since learning of his passing, messages of support throughout the region have circulated on social media.
"NWA is a family. It's so much bigger than sports," Fayetteville quarterback Taylor Powell tweeted Sunday afternoon.
Backing has also come by way of a GoFundMe page created by the Red'Dog Football program. Through its first five hours, more than $14,000 was raised toward deferring the cost of final arrangements for Williams' family.
"Kyler was a great school leader, student leader in our school. Kids loved him, and he was a leader on and off our campus," Joenks said. "Our Red'Dog family is mourning right now because we lost a wonderful individual. He's going to be on the hearts and minds of our kids and faculty for a long time.
"It's going to be a tough week, but one thing we talk about in our school is perseverance," Joenks said. "We'll move forward and go forward from this. I'm proud of our kids and the outpouring of support from the kids here and our whole community. I'm proud to be a part of this community."
Clark said he will always remember his star receiver for his resilience and positive attitude.
"That smile he had and how tough and competitive Kyler was," Clark said. "Every day he would come out as one of the smallest guys on the field, but he would come out and just compete. He played hurt, banged up and his teammates loved him for it."
NW News on 09/26/2016