It’s been just about a month since Jonas Williams took his first snap in a game for Lincoln-Way East and the junior quarterback, an Oregon recruit who transferred in January from Bolingbrook, has been as good as advertised.
But being a football player for the Griffins? That’s been even better than expected, according to Williams.
“It’s 100 out of 10,” Williams said. “I can’t ask for anything better.”
Williams put on another show Friday night, completing 21 of 25 passes for 305 yards and six touchdowns in leading host Lincoln-Way East to a 48-7 Southwest Valley Blue win over Homewood-Flossmoor in Frankfort.
Keagan Ruane tallied three catches for 77 yards and two TDs for the Griffins (5-0, 2-0), while Talan White finished with six catches for 80 yards and a TD. Brody Gish added a TD catch and a TD run and Declan Dircks produced a sack.
RJ McDonald ran for 72 yards on 17 carries and threw for 41 yards to lead H-F (3-2, 1-1). Jayden Banks chipped in with a 13-yard TD run, while Jayden Gilliam and Jalen White each had a sack.
Williams, meanwhile, continues to blow away his new coach, Rob Zvonar.
“It’s a little surreal,” Zvonar said. “I’ve been around him now since January, and there are still a whole bunch of moments where my jaw still drops.”
Williams completed passes to seven receivers and threw TDs to five of them. His chemistry with all of his new targets has developed over the last eight months.
“It was just working in the offseason,” Williams said. “When I came here, almost every week I was throwing with the guys. It’s also not just football. It’s getting to know them off the field, too.
“You’ve got to be able to trust each other. Getting to know my guys personally on and off the field really helps me gain that trust. It’s just trusting my receivers and they’ll make me look good.”
H-F put up a strong fight early, facing a 7-7 tie with just over two minutes left in the first half before Gish ran for a 1-yard TD and Williams hit White for a 48-yard TD to build a 21-7 halftime lead.
Lincoln-Way East rolled from there as Williams threw four TD passes in the second half. Two were to Ruane, who converted to receiver this season after playing fullback and tight end last year.
Ruane said Williams has made that transition much easier.
“It’s a lot of fun playing with him,” Ruane said. “Obviously, he’s a great player and he’s so talented, but the thing I’ve noticed most from being around him is he pushes other people to be better.
“I don’t think I’d be half the receiver I am without him. I didn’t even play receiver last year.”
Williams went into this season knowing all eyes would be on him, even more than before. Playing for Lincoln-Way East means the expectations of winning a state championship.
“I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel pressure, but I think the big word is trust,” Williams said. “I know there are going to be mistakes that happen, but just knowing my teammates have my back is the most important part.
“Pressure is from outside people. I know that doesn’t matter when I’m playing with these guys inside on the field.”
At the start of 2024, Williams said he “walked into a room of strangers and had to earn their trust.”
Zvonar has certainly been impressed with how Williams has gone about doing just that.
“What makes him really special is who he is off the field and his character,” Zvonar said. “He’s just a beautiful young man to be around. He’s a fierce competitor and a humble, great teammate.”
