Trevotne Williams, right, takes a handoff from Aaron Bird during a Westgate football practice Wednesday. - Chris Landry / The Daily Iberian

Inspired by older brother Duval Jackson, Westgate High School’s Trevonte Williams worked hard to get his grades in order so he could play football his senior season after missing the previous two years.

Williams has provided a spark for the Tigers this season, who returned only six starters from the previous year and are fighting through a rash of injuries as they prepare to play crosstown rival New Iberia Senior High today at Lloyd G. Porter Memorial Stadium in the annual Bayou Berry Bowl.

“My brother went to college,” said Williams. “And he just told me to play football. He’s a big influence. He makes sure that I do good, him and Tyrunn Walker (another former WHS athlete, currently playing for the New Orleans Saints).”

Williams played football at Westgate as a freshman and has played basketball the last couple of seasons, but his grades kept him from playing football as a sophomore and junior. After seeing his brother sign with Trinity Valley Community College in the spring, Williams realized he’d like to have the chance to play college football as well.

“I just got my grades right,” said Williams. “

Westgate coach Ryan Antoine said he thinks Williams has the ability to do so and has gotten his grades high enough, close to honor roll levels, to qualify for college, perhaps a junior college. Antoine appreciates having players like Jackson and Walker around to show players the kinds of things they can aspire to.

“He’s pretty much the same type of kid Duval is,” said Antoine. “Very athletic, does everything that Duval does. I think Duval going and being successful in college has given him that drive to go do that. A couple of junior colleges are looking at him, and if he keeps playing the way he’s playing, there’s a pretty good chance that I’ll be able to put him somewhere next fall.”

On the field, Williams has given the Tigers a spark returning kicks, as he did against Breaux Bridge, on defense, where he plays linebacker, and on offense, where he’s been a running back and is expected to take over at quarterback to give WHS a more athletic presence at the position. 

Late in the Tigers’ District 7-5A opening loss to Terrebonne last week, Williams had two carries for 43 yards and a touchdown on one late drive and nearly led WHS to another TD on their next possession after the Tigers recovered an onside kick.

“He’s still pretty much almost like a freshman now,” said Antoine. 

“He’s still trying to get his feet wet. Now he’s really, really brought in. He’s a hell of an athlete. He can do anything. He can pretty much play any position on the field and be above average in every single position for us, so it’s just a matter of figuring out what can he do for us and what can he add to this team.”

Williams has returned kicks, thrown passes, caught passes, run the ball. 

He’ll continue to play some linebacker, but concentrate more on offense, his coach said.

“He’s the guy we’re leaning on,” said Antoine. “When you have a playmaker like that you have to make sure he touches the ball 10 to 15 times a game.”

 Aaron Bird, who’s started the first four games at QB for Westgate, is expected to play some at quarterback and some at receiver on offense. 

He also handles kicking and punting duties for the Tigers. Bird is helping Williams learn the quarterback position, said Antoine.

“Hopefully (Williams) can bring something a little bit different,” said Antoine. “Aaron did a good job for us. It’s nothing that Aaron did wrong, it’s just we’re looking for a change.”

Williams, who picked up the nickname “Zulu” from Anderson Middle School coach Glenn Fondal, said he’d like to help the Tigers turn the season around after an 0-4 start.

“I think we just need to work together,” said Williams. “Just make everybody believe. We have the team to do it.”

Antoine said the coaches have tried not to throw too much at Williams too quickly since he hasn’t been playing football the past couple of seasons.

“We had to let him grow into it,” said Antoine. “He’s inspired. He wants to be the leader. He’s the guy that steps up and wants to take control.”

Williams said the Tigers have been hurt by getting off to slow starts in the first quarter.

“We’ve just given away too much, and we can’t come back after that,” said Williams. “If we just win the first quarter, we’ve got it.”

It all starts with a win this week, Williams believes. It’s not so much beating NISH, he said, as getting back in the district race.