A Warren G. Harding High School football player is in the running for Sports Illustrated's 2025 "Youth Athlete of the Year."

According to the Youth Athlete of the Year website, Dere'On Williams is currently in 5th place in his group. The top five candidates will move on to the next round of the competition.

The winner of the competition will receive $25,000 and be featured in a 3BRAND ad in Sports Illustrated.

According to Williams's entry, Williams loves playing sports because it gives him the chance to learn new skills and discover new things about the game.

Williams enjoys the challenge of improving with each practice and figuring out strategies, techniques and teamwork.

Williams's entry states that his biggest inspiration on and off the field is Kyrie Irving from the Dallas Maveri

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