On Friday night Williams made the first start of his career and was calm, cool and collected in helping lead the Millionaires to a 31-20 victory at Spartan Stadium in the season opener.

Williams threw for 234 yards and one touchdown and added an interception on the defensive side of the ball.

“Zion, our captain, got hurt this summer in basketball,” said Williamsport coach Mike Pearson. “Tevin’s role changed and stepped right up. We didn’t know how he would be in his first start. I thought he was very poised. We are proud of him.”

From Valley West’s perspective, it was a long way from last season’s opening night 33-0 loss to the Millionaires. Valley West quarterback Damien Eastman threw for 310 yards and one touchdown, but turnovers on offense and giving up the big play on defense at critical times in the game was what ultimately did the Spartans in.

FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette Williamsport’s Kareem Bradshaw goes up to make the catch with WVW’s John Richard’s defending on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

“Overall the guys competed and that is what we are looking for,” said Valley West coach Bob Stelma. “They came out and gave it their best. When you break it down it was the big plays that killed. The first game there were some jitters. We told them before the game something is going to go wrong. Something always goes wrong in the first game. It’s how you respond.”

The first example came on the first play of the game when a bad snap resulted in a turnover and the Spartans taking over at the Williamsport 13-yard line. A penalty and eventually a fumble prevented the Spartans from being able to capitalize. After another Valley West turnover, the Millionaires scored their first touchdown when Williams scored on an 8-yard run. Williamsport made it 10-0 when Brayden Ungard kicked a 30-yard field goal with 1:26 left in the first quarter.

The Spartans closed the gap when Eastman connected with Preston Sninsky on an 89-yard pass play, but Gio White helped increase the lead when he returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown.

“Gio White is one of those kids, when you look at the history of his career he was always clutch,” Pearson said. “He made a lot of different plays in a lot of different aspects tonight. In my opinion he is one of the best players in Pennsylvania.”

White rushed for 20 yard and a touchdown and caught three passes for 77 yards for a score. He also had an interception.

FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette Williamsport’s Zahmad Ruley (13) has a pass deflect off his fingertips in the end zone on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

Valley West got within 17-14 with 8:27 left in the third quarter after Malique Campbell scored on a 6-yard run. However, on Williamsport’s first play from scrimmage on the ensuing possession, Williams connected with White on a 70-yard touchdown pass play to increase the lead back to 10. White put the game out of reach on a 2-yard run with 3:17 left in the third.

Valley West finished the night with 456 yards of total offense with 119 coming on the ground.

“The guys hung together and battled all four quarters,” Stelma said. “The guys are tuned into what we are asking them to do. It was a back-and-forth game. You take away those big plays and it’s a different game.”

FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette Williamsport quarterback Yazhir Slaughter (11) passes the ball against WVW on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette Williamsport’s Giovanni White (12) stiff arms WVW’s Chase Meyers (8) on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette WVW’s John Richards (4) catches a pass over Williamsport’s Elijah Way (15) on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

FRANK C. LAURI/Special to the Sun-Gazette WVW’s Kaviyon Madera (22) and Iszrel Davis (15) tackle Williamsport’s Zahmad Ruley (13) on Friday night at Spartan Stadium.