DEMOPOLIS &045; The final out come of a championship game or the game itself, does not necessarily tell what it takes to get a team to the big dance. But practice and preparation, as well as how one practices and prepare, will determine the out come of a game. It will also determine the outcome of the season.

Ray Williams, who started on the defensive line and handled one of the offensive guard positions believes that practice and preparation instilled by Coach Doug Goodwin was the deciding factor on winning the 2004 championship.

Williams remembered the 2003 season, where Demopolis missed getting to a championship by one yard.

The attitude of winning was one of the principles shared by the entire team.

One of his most memorable games was against Trinity in the state quarter-finals, who featured a D-I talent.

The 300 screaming Demopolis fans with all of the Tiger paraphernalia almost overwhelmed Williams upon arriving at the Met in Hoover for the big game.

He sites one of the reasons he was invited to the press conference after the game was a big hit in the backfield.

He also echoes the big screen pass that opened up the game for the Tigers.

Williams was named to the 2004 super seniors list and received all-state defensive team honors that year, as well. He also lettered in track and field.

Williams was recruited by the University of Tennessee-Martin after the 2004 season. The 6-1, 280 pound lineman has completed his sophomore season with UTM.

This is the ninth in a series of the Demopolis 2004 Championship team and where they are today.