Lincoln-Way East’s Jonas Williams had done it so many times before that it felt like clockwork.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior quarterback, who started his high school career at Bolingbrook, stepped up and delivered again Friday under the spotlight — reflective of his personal odyssey.
“It felt like a full circle moment,” Williams said after the record-setting night. “You come into high school with all of these goals and dreams. Every day, it just becomes more of a reality.”
Williams staged a reality show against host Lockport, throwing five touchdown passes and setting an Illinois High School Association career record in a 49-14 Southwest Valley Blue victory.
The USC recruit ended up completing 28 of 35 passes for 345 yards to lead the Griffins (4-0, 2-0). In the process, he established a new state benchmark for career TD passes with 128,
Senior running back Dewatha Malone came through with a 92-yard kickoff return TD for Lockport (1-3, 0-2), while senior receiver Adam Kozak scored on a 90-yard kickoff return in the second half.
Lincoln-Way East quarterback Jonas Williams (13) throws a pass as Brody Gish (2) blocks against Lockport during a Southwest Valley Blue game in Lockport on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Daily Southtown)
Williams connected with sophomore receiver Jack Murphy on a 16-yard TD pass with 8:28 remaining in the fourth quarter to set a record previously shared by Aurora Christian’s Jordan Roberts and Greenville’s Tyler Hutchinson.
Senior receiver William Schlinger made a spectacular diving catch on a pass from Williams for a 25-yard TD late in the second quarter that tied the previous mark.
“It’s great to be part of history and do it with the guys you grew up playing with,” Schlinger said. “It all starts with the offensive line giving him time and Jonas putting it out there for me.
“We were aware about the record, but we didn’t talk about it all during the week.”
Lincoln-Way East’s Jack Murphy races past Lockport’s Joshua Kies (37) for a TD on a pass from Jonas Williams during a Southwest Valley Blue game in Lockport on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Daily Southtown)
Murphy also had a 47-yard TD catch in the first quarter.
“I give a lot of credit to the coaches for giving me the opportunity,” Murphy said. “But it all starts with Jonas. He’s a huge motivator and he keeps everybody going.
“Even when they tied it up on that early return touchdown, he fired everybody up on the sideline and said not to worry and we’d get it back.”
Williams recalled his first career TD pass as a freshman at Bolingbrook when he connected with Kyan Berry-Johnson, who’s now a receiver at Wisconsin.
Lincoln-Way East quarterback Jonas Williams (13) tries to break free from Lockport’s Nick Moerman during a Southwest Valley Blue game in Lockport on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Daily Southtown)
It came in his first high school game, a pass covering 40 yards, a prelude to a remarkable career.
”It’s an amazing feeling,” Williams said. “I couldn’t do it without my teammates and coaches. I’m super thankful for these records that I’m achieving.
“To be honest, winning is more important. If I don’t win a state championship this year, I’ll feel like it’s an unsuccessful year.”
The two TDs for Lockport on kickoff returns, combined with a rare fumble by Williams in the second quarter, meant the Griffins were challenged for the first time this season.
“I didn’t really show it, but I was mad about the fumble,” he said. “In the back of my head, I knew that adversity was going to come. I think that helps me grow and it helps the team grow.
“That experience is important because, the deeper you go into the season and the playoffs, the tougher the teams become.”
Lincoln-Way East quarterback Jonas Williams (13) completes a pass against Lockport during a Southwest Valley Blue game in Lockport on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Daily Southtown)
Williams responded by completing 19 of 21 passes for 231 yards and four TDs as the Griffins built a 35-7 halftime lead. He’s now 16-1 as a starter at Lincoln-Way East.
The memory of last year’s state semifinal loss to Loyola keeps providing fuel for his fire.
“That’s my main goal and my main motivator,” he said. “When I go to practice every day, when I walk out with my teammates, that’s what I think about.
“I always want to get touchdowns back that I missed, but I still have so much more of the season left. Getting the win with my brothers is what I’m going to remember the most.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
