“I’ve got stronger legs now, and I’ve gotten faster. I’ve gotten better with everything.”
All the work Richards’ Leshon Williams put in over the offseason was planned with the purpose of preparing for a deep playoff run.
“We went out in the first round last year, and nobody wants their season to end that way,” Williams said. “That motivated me to want to improvemyself.
“I’ve got stronger legs now, and I’ve gotten faster. I’ve gotten better with everything.”
The junior running back showed all of that Friday night, rushing for 259 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries as the host Bulldogs rolled to a 49-0 win overRock Island in a Class 6A first-round game.
It’s the first playoff win since 2015 for Richards (10-0), which will host Yorkville (8-2) in the second round.
Williams ran for TDs of 19, 8 and 54 yards — all in the first quarter — as Richards scored on its first five possessions against Rock Island (5-5) and took a 35-0 lead into halftime.
“Iwanted to run hard and show them we’re physical,” Williams said. “I feel like I have one of the best offensive lines in the state of Illinois. They make things easy on me.”
Richards coach Tony Sheehan said Williams deserves plenty of praise.
“He’ll credit his line, which he should, but he’s a special back,” Sheehan said. “Heworked hard in theweight roomto get stronger so he could carry the load, and that’s what he’s doing for us.
“He has great vision and great speed, and he’s not afraid to lower his shoulder, either.”
Trishawn Lott ran for 62 yards and two TDs for Richards, while Sebastian Castro finished with 80 yards and a TD.
As impressive as the Bulldogs’ offense was, the defense was just — LeshonWilliams, Richards junior RB
as good.
Richards outgained the Rocks 505-15. Rock Island had 29 plays go for 1 yard or less, including 11 for negative yardage.
The Rocks’ longest gain was 8 yards.
“We pride ourselves on stopping the run,” Sheehan said. “We geared up for it all week. Rock Island’s offensive line is huge, but our kids have worked harder to get bigger and stronger because that’s where we kind of got pushed around last year.”
Senior linebacker Danny Jackson had two sacks to lead a dominant defensive effort.
“We came out to play tough and physical, play fast, close the gaps,” Jackson said. “We had a lot of motivation. Those first-round losses the last two years didn’t feel good.
“We want to have a long season this year.”
SteveMillar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.