Josh Williams Runs Wild Again

 senior running back Josh Williams ran for 366 yards in the Mustangs' opening game of the season three weeks ago.

Last week, he had five first-half touchdowns.

And on Friday night, it was much of the same.

Williams had 12 carries for 285 yards and six touchdowns — all in the first half — as the Mustangs made quick and easy work of Leyden by a 49-0 score line.

"It's a great opportunity. We're having those big games that we've all been waiting for," said the senior who has interest from a number of Division 1 programs. “We don't take anything lightly and that it was what we plan to do every game."

The offense got started early and often against an Eagles team who were simply outmanned and outmuscled.

Williams' first carry of the game resulted in a 3-yard loss. But the next play was quite different as Williams raced 62 yards to the Leyden 5 yard line before quarterback A.J. Simoncelli called his own number for the opening score.

After the Mustang defense forced a three-and-out, Williams ripped off a 37-yard touchdown run after two plays.

The talented senior running back walked in from a yard out for his third touchdown on the next drive. A 39-yard run by Williams helped set him up for the easy score.

After yet another three-and-out by the defense, Williams was able to cap off another drive when he punched in from five yards out. The drive was setup when Williams became quarterback on a halfback pass to teammate Kaylon Miller, resulting in a 24-yard gain.

When all was said and done, it was a dominating quarter by the visiting Mustangs on both sides of the ball. They mustered 178 yards of offense, scored four touchdowns and only surrendered 22 yards and a pair of first downs.

"The offensive line did such a nice job. We figured Leyden would put eight guys in the box but we were still able to run the ball," said head coach John Belskis. "We have a special player back there (Williams) and it was nice to see us run it so well."

The second quarter was more electrifying because Williams ripped off some big runs.

On the first series, he raced around right end for 58 yards for his fourth touchdown.

On the next two drives he'd have another pair of touchdown runs from 47 and 10 yards out.

All in all, it was a great game for Williams — which lasted two quarters. He wasn't to be risked at all in the second half as held a commanding 49-0 lead.

With the IHSA's "mercy rule" the second-half went by in a flash. The teams combined to run 28 plays as the clock continued to run with the kind of speed reminiscent of Williams long ago — in the first half.

moves to 4-0 on the season while Leyden drops to 0-4.