FERRIDAY — For Jacari Williams, the start and finish to every day is filled with math problems and physics equations.

In between the hours spent on school and homework, Williams manages to find time for football.

A strict schedule of school, football and homework is something Williams is using to help get him motivated and ready for college life next fall.

Williams, a senior at Ferriday High School, said he is ready to finish high school and move on to bigger things.

“I can’t wait to get to college,” Williams said. “I am working on going to Louisiana Tech University.”

Williams said he has been a three-year starter on Ferriday’s football team and would like to keep playing after high school.

“I have been playing football since the sixth grade,” he said. “Playing football for Tech is something I would love to be able to do.”

Williams said he is choosing Tech for more than just athletics.

“I want to be an engineer,” he said. “I know Tech has a great engineering program I could be a part of.”

Williams said his choice of engineering stems from his interests in fixing things.

“I love working on items and doing thins on computers,” Williams said. “Engineering is something where I can use those interests.”

With a career choice as demanding as engineering, Williams has to hit the books just as hard as he hits the opposing team on Friday nights.

“Grades have always come first,” Williams said. “I have always followed that motto.”

Williams said he has kept his grade point average up following the slogan and has started working on some classes this year to help prepare himself for his collegiate career.

“My G.P.A. is around 3.2,” Williams said. “This year I am taking physics and advanced math at Ferriday. These are helping me get ready to go into engineering classes at Tech.”

Williams said he could not have made it this far without some good advice and encouragement from his father.

“My dad is my biggest role model,” he said. “He has always encouraged me and helped keep me out of trouble.”

Jacari Williams is the son of Terrance Williams and Angela Wells.