BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
For the St. Benedict Bears football club, if thereÂ?s a will, then thereÂ?s a way to get into the playoffs for the first time in their history.
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For the 2003 Bears, that Â?WillÂ? happens to be one talented teenage running back named William Terris.
The 18-year-old has been running on a record-setting pace in the high school football league and making opponents extremely wary of his offensive prowess.
In five games, Terris has 118 carries and has racked up an incredible 1,168 yards. HeÂ?s also rumbled for eight touchdowns.
In one game alone, Terris ran for an incredible 400-plus yards.
Terris credits a terrific offensive line for his remarkable rushes.
Â?This year our offensive line is one of the best IÂ?ve ever played with,Â? said Terris. Â?We have a good offence in general with a lot of seniors.Â?
Last year, Terris scampered for just over 1,000 yards in six games.
This yearÂ?s incredible rushing statistics have been accomplished by playing on a better team and getting and listening to some sound advice, said the modest teenager.
Â?My coach, Franco Rocca helps me out a lot and he motivates me,Â? said Terris. Â?His advice is always good and helpful.Â?
Terris didnÂ?t expect to achieve the incredible numbers heÂ?s put together so far this season Â?numbers that saw him rack up almost 900 yards in his first three games alone.
Â?It feels great, but I am not really thinking about it too much. ItÂ?s a nice extra bonus.Â?
TerrisÂ? mind is focused on a bigger goal: helping his team reach the playoffs.
Â?I want to make the playoffs. ItÂ?s my last year and weÂ?ve never been in the playoffs. To me, thatÂ?s the most important thing,Â? said Terris. Â?Our team is going to have to come together and finish the season better than it started.
As of Thursday, the Bears sported a 1-4 record.
Rocca sees Terris as a highly motivated and mature individual, whoÂ?s dedicated to the team.
Â?Will has a great work ethic and leads by example,Â? said Rocca. Â?Will is a true team leader, as he wants to do anything he can to help the team. HeÂ?s in the game at all times rooting for his teammates, when heÂ?s not on the field. Truly great players make a difference when the game is on the line and Will thrives on making the big plays that turn games around.Â?
Terris has helped make St. Benedict a school to respect on the gridiron.
Â?Will is a tough player. He reeks confidence and itÂ?s contagious to younger players on the team,Â? said Rocca. Â?WeÂ?re fortunate to have Will as one of our captains. He along with other veterans have helped raise the standard for football at St. Benedict.Â?
Terris is a product of the Joe MacDonald Youth Football League. He began playing football when he was in Grade 8.
Terris continued to progress as a player as he grew up and this past summer he played for the Sudbury Northerners football club.
Even though heÂ?s on fire right now, Terris maybe putting out fires in the future.
He would like to pursue a career as a firefighter and is looking at attending Cambrian College for the pre-service firefighter program.
Last semester, Terris completed a co-op placement with the Sudbury Fire Department and it was a beneficial experience.
Â?I think it would be a really rewarding job. The firefighters all become really good friends and they told me stories about how theyÂ?ve saved peopleÂ?s lives,Â? said Terris. Â?IÂ?ve wanted to be a firefighter for a long time.Â?
