Mallard Creek QB Williams questionable for Friday's quarterfinal with Vance

Mallard Creek quarterback Marquise Williams, a national player of the year candidate, hasn’t practiced this week and is questionable to start in Friday’s N.C. 4AA quarterfinal at home against rival Vance.

Williams injured his left ankle early in the second quarter of last week’s 49-23 win over Ardrey Kell. Williams tried to run off the field after he injured himself, but fell down face first. He got up and got off the field. He only missed a few plays and finished the game.

Mavericks coach Mike Palmieri said Williams is able to walk on his ankle, but not able to push off well. Williams did not practice Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

A 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior, Williams has throw for 3,034 yards and 45 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. He’s competed nearly 70 percent of his passes. He also has 1,147 yards rushing and 19 scores.

“He’s a little sore,” Palmieri said. “He’s just day-to-day. We don’t know for sure if he’ll play or  not. We’ll make a decision at gametime with him.”

If Williams doesn’t start for the nationally ranked Mavericks, 5-11, 200-pound junior Zay Laster will start. With Laster, Mallard Creek might rely more on its run game, where Jela Duncan (95 carries, 1,208 yards, 15 TDs) and Aaron McNeely (55-622, 9 TDs), both average more than 10 yards per carry.

“We’re confident with Zay,” Palmieri said. “Zay’s been put in a lot of games. We’ll got with what we’ve got. And Marquise, in his mind, is playing. It’ll be my decision, for what’s best for the kid and the program. The good thing is we have no school and he’s getting theraphy. I just held him out of practice because I didn’t want to take a chance. He doesn’t need to practice to play. He knows what we’re doing.”