Tucker Sennett is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism assigned to cover Williams Field High School for AZPreps356.com

The best offenses in football typically have one thing in common: balance.

Williams Field has found that balance offensively despite being a run-heavy offense last season.

Junior tailback Dylan Lee shouldered an enormous workload last season, including setting a 6A single-game rushing record last season with 518 rushing yards.

Sledding became tougher as the season rolled on, so after Williams Field finished with a 4-7 record, it had to adjust for the 2023 season.

“Our focus this season is to be as diverse as we can,” coach Steve Campbell said about his offense. “Last week we had a dead 50/50 run-to-pass ratio and we saw last year, when we didn’t do that, we were seeing nine guys in the box.”

While Lee, who averaged 120.8 yards a game through six weeks, has still been a focal point, the Black Hawks have unlocked another part of their offense this season.

“It works perfect for us because when we run the ball with [Lee], they stack the box and we’re one-on-one on the outside,” junior wideout Trey Foster said. “Coming into the season they underestimate what we can do so as soon as they stack the box they can’t choose.”

The dynamic receiving group has broken out through six games in the 2023 campaign.

Led by seniors Josh Sandru and Cam Cooke, the group has amassed more than 945 receiving yards, eight-plus receiving touchdowns and several highlight reel plays.

Sandru has taken enormous steps this season according to coach Steve Campbell.

“He just continues building with confidence and growing his game,” the coach said.

The senior played with nationally-ranked recruit Kyler Kasper, now his second year at the University of Oregon. Campbell has said that Sandru’s development has reminded him of Kasper’s between seasons, showcasing a similar skillset as big target wideouts.

For every high school athlete, a senior season can mean everything. Sandru has accepted that and done what he can.

“I took my training very seriously and I wanted to perform my senior year like I have been,” he said. “I think there’s a confidence aspect being on the field, seeing live defense knowing I can play at this level.”

While the 6-foot-4-inch Sandru and the speedy Cooke are the statistical leaders, the cupboard is full beyond those two.

Juniors Braeden Kirsner and Foster have provided the two Williams Field quarterbacks with two additional high-level targets on Friday nights.

While the on-field prowess has been impressive, the group clearly has chemistry to thank for that.

“We all have built such a close bond to each other,” Foster said. “Talking to each other, having that bond is so important.”

Foster spoke of the senior leadership of Cooke and Sandru, mentioning how having their wisdom has made the group even tighter. The younger guys want to help the older ones be successful, and vice versa.

That cohesiveness has led to an offense still averaging above 30 points per game.

Williams Field has continued to use two different quarterbacks. Juniors Xavier Buckles and Kody Guy have each logged significant snap totals for the Black Hawks, but the receivers haven’t missed a beat no matter who’s behind center.

“They both get the job done,” Foster said. “Both quarterbacks are able to read the field and get us the ball just as good as the other.”

The confident receiver group and Williams Field are entering a brutal stretch of the schedule but will continue to express that confidence in the best way they know how.

“Every time we get the ball, it doesn’t matter who gets it. We know we’re going to make a play,” Foster said.