There are multiple players who are coming into the Illinois football program who will help the team in 2019.
13-of-29 for 303 yards and an interception to go along with his 44.8-percent completion rate, those are the stats Illini commitment Isaiah Williams had during the first game of the 2018 season against Colquitt County. Of course, Williams also rushed for 76 yards, but his Trinity Catholic team fell short against Colquitt County on that fateful day.
Let’s put some context to the defeat that the Titans were handed by Colquitt County. Colquitt County is a juggernaut from the state of Georgia. They were 8-0 this season and are currently in the Elite 8 of the Georgia state high school football playoffs. They are also ranked as the No. 6 team in the nation and the best team in Georgia. Now look at Williams’ numbers. They look a little better now knowing that he put up those types of numbers against one of the best teams in the country.
Since the loss that Williams endured the first game of the season, he and his Trinity Catholic team have played some pretty good football. They did drop their next game to East St. Louis, who made it to the Elite 8 of the Illinois state football playoffs. But, after that 0-2 start, Trinity Catholic rambled off seven straight wins entering the Missouri state playoffs. This hot streak didn’t end there, though.
Trinity Catholic took down Sumner/Northwest Academy 88-0. They then beat McCluer South-Berkeley in the second round, 71-10. The next victim was St. Charles West. The Titans ended up beating them 39-6 to reach the Elite 8. This is where the competition gets a little tougher.
In the Elite 8, Trinity Catholic was able to, once again, play great football. They took on a tough Southern Boone team that went 7-2 in the regular season and was able to get through the first three rounds of the state tournament. And, again, the Titans were able to come out victorious with a 27-17 win.
Isaiah Williams and the Trinity Catholic Titans are now in the Final 4. This is a great accomplishment in itself, but their goal has been known before the playoffs started. They want to win the championship. Their Final 4 game will be tough, though. They play Maryville who is currently on a 12-game winning streak.
So, Illini fans, if you’re not too full of turkey and all of the fixings, make sure you pay attention to how Trinity Catholic is doing this Saturday. This program has a chance to do something special.