Dustin Williams was voted Illinois Defensive MVP his senior year in an internet poll as well as being named the best defensive player in the Suburban Prairie Red Conference.
“A lot of good players came out of Illinois that year. It was an honor to be recognized as one of the best,” Williams said.
Williams, Class of 2001, is known for football and how he played the position of linebacker.
“It’s like being the quarterback, but on defense you get to hit people,” Williams said. “The linebackers are usually the leaders on defense. I just loved flying around and making plays for my team.”
For his career as an athlete, Williams is being inducted into the MCHS Athletic Hall of Fame this year.
“What a honor,” Williams said. “As I accept this honor I do so not only for myself but for all those who have supported me along the way. I’m a product of the love and dedication and hard work of so many individuals and I share this achievement with them to.”
Williams had 301 tackles at Minooka, including 14 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 5 fumbles caused, 3 pass breakups, quarterback hurries, and one interception returned for a touchdown.
Homecoming game his senior year was one to remember for Williams. In a win over Geneva, he had 11 solo tackles, 7 assists, and 4 sacks.
His career did not end at MCHS. After high school he attended the University of Kentucky to play football.
“There were a lot of great moments in my football career,” Williams said. “But to be honest, I cherish the most was getting off the bus in college and seeing my mom and dad and my family who traveled throughout the night to come see me play all over the country.”
Williams went on to do amazing things. In 2003 of his college career, he led the SEC in tackles per game and had 100 tackles on the season as of Nov. 3. He also had an average of 11.1 stops per game with only three games left to play.
Williams will be recognized before the varsity Homecoming football game on Oct. 3. Other Hall of Fame inductees who will be recognized then include Tim Stevens (athlete), Ashley Jones (athlete), Nina Simotes Scott (athlete) Ray Liberatore (coach), Bob Tyrell (special merit), and the 2013 softball team.
