‘God got me’: Henrico student athlete’s future at risk due to residency dispute

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Varina High School student athlete Darren Williams is speaking for the first time after he was benched due to a residency dispute. With the season quickly coming to a close, his attorney claims his athletic future could be unfairly ruined.

Williams is currently not allowed to play in any county sports after Henrico County Public Schools claimed he doesn’t live at his Varina residence full-time.

“It sucks,” Williams said in an exclusive interview with 8News. “Currently not being on the field, missing out on millions of dollars in scholarship opportunities, both academic and athletically.”

The Varina High School senior -- who plays football, track and baseball -- previously attended Henrico High School, but decided to leave after witnessing a stabbing involving a student on Dec. 4, 2024.

“I knew the kid who got stabbed, and he looked up to me,” Williams said. “It hurt watching him go down like that, and I just couldn't be there anymore.”

Darren Williams, a Varina High School senior, playing baseball. (Photos: Lafun Cain)

On Jan. 17, Williams’ parents filed a court order with the Henrico County Juvenile Court, granting his grandmother, Laurette Turner, who lives in Varina, physical custody. The order also allowed Williams’ parents to remain in joint custody of their son while living in other areas of Henrico.

“I've raised my children and I raised some grandchildren,” Turner said. “It was fine with me. I thought I did what was in his best interest.” 

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Williams finished his junior year at Henrico High School so he wouldn't lose the college-level credits that he was dual-enrolled in. He officially transferred to Varina in May and played two football games to start the season.

Then, on Sept. 18, the school district sent a letter saying it had investigated and found discrepancies with Williams’ residency -- putting his football, track and baseball dreams in jeopardy.

“My jaw was on the ground," Williams said. "I couldn’t believe it."

Darren Williams, a Varina High School senior, playing football. (Photos: Lafun Cain)

Darren Williams, a Varina High School senior, playing football. (Photos: Lafun Cain)

Darren Williams, a Varina High School senior, playing football. (Photos: Lafun Cain)

Lafun Cain, Williams' mother, told 8News that she feels her son was targeted.

Transfers occur all the time in the county," she said. "I just want to know there is a thorough investigation done on all of them, you know? Why my kid?”

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The family appealed to the order by providing Turner’s identification, the address she lived in and utility bills -- but they were denied with another letter on Oct. 3.

The Virginia High School League (VHSL) responded to the controversy with the following statement:

“We are aware of the situation and it's our understanding that HCPS conducted residency checks. It is not our issue, and we don't have any involvement with any actions HCPS has taken.”

Henrico County Public School District also provided a statement on the matter:

"For privacy reasons, [we] are unable to discuss specifics of an individual student matter.  However, in general terms, [we] can assure you that HCPS has a thorough student-athlete eligibility review process as well as a residency verification process that includes interviews, documentation/guardianship review and home visits to ensure a student is staying at least 50% of their time at the registered home of record. There is also an exhaustive appeal process where materials and decisions are reviewed as part of a system of checks and balances.

In a very small number of residency cases, when the student is a senior, they may be allowed to complete the year at a school through an administrative placement. This placement is for academic purposes and does not indicate that a student is eligible to participate in athletics.

Henrico County Public Schools is committed to good sportsmanship and fair play. Knowingly allowing an ineligible student to participate in VHSL athletics would put the student, team and school at risk of VHSL sanctions, including the potential forfeiture of games in which an ineligible student played or the entire sports season. We have seen this recently in Fairfax County Public Schools, where a football team was banned from postseason play due to recruiting and eligibility violations. I would also note that once a student is found ineligible to participate in athletics, VHSL requires that the student sit out for 1 year.

As with all extracurricular activities, participation in VHSL athletics is a privilege and not a right. Henrico County Public Schools will continue to hold our students, student-athletes and coaches to the highest standards of integrity and sportsmanship."

Williams’ attorney Charlotte Hodges challenged the district’s remarks.

“They did not do a home visit prior to them determining that he was ineligible," Hodges said. "They did not interview either Ms. Turner, Mr. Williams or Ms. Cain -- nor did they ever go to the home."

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Despite this major setback, Williams said he’ll continue to keep his head held high, knowing plenty are in his corner -- including Varina High head coach Marcus Lewis.

"I know some adults that can't handle this type of stuff,” he said. "This young man has been to every practice ever since. He's there, he still comes with a smile and he's a young man of faith.” 

Williams said it's that faith that he's holding onto most of all. 

“God got me," Williams said. "He handles everything, and I'm going to let him handle it,” said Williams."

8News also obtained a copy of an injunction submitted by Hodges lawyer on Oct. 17, asking the court to allow him to play and make a quick decision, as there are only four games left in the regular season -- meaning he has limited time left to play and be exposed to scouts.

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"[Williams] has dedicated himself to athletics from a young age," the filing reads, in part. "The opportunity to attend college and pursue his student athletic career represents the culmination of years of hard work and determination. Without injunctive relief, all of [his] efforts and achievements would be jeopardized and the potential to advance his athletic career through college would be lost."