EDWARDSVILLE — Senior quarterback Dean Williams ran for four touchdowns and threw for another as Edwardsville shut out Chicago Lincoln Park 42-0 on Saturday evening, Oct. 24, 2026, at Tiger Stadium to advance in the IHSA Class 7A football playoffs.
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The Tigers improved to 5-5 with the opening-round victory and will travel to face top-seeded Normal Community next weekend. Lincoln Park finished its season at 4-6.
Edwardsville coach Kelsey Pickering credited his team’s preparation for its performance.
“We’ve talked to the guys all year about what practice means,” Pickering said. “We’ve got to clean up some penalties, but other than that, if felt like a really good game.”
Williams opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run with 7:01 left in the first quarter. After the Tigers stopped Lincoln Park on its first possession, Edwardsville regained the ball with 4:28 remaining and put together another scoring drive. Braylon Hill-Lomas finished it with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving the Tigers a 14-0 lead after one quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Edwardsville stopped the Lions on downs before Williams scored on a 16-yard run on the next play to extend the lead to 21-0.
Williams added a 3-yard touchdown run later in the quarter, then connected with Brayden Stanley for a 27-yard touchdown pass before halftime to put Edwardsville ahead 35-0.
Pickering credited the players around Williams for helping the quarterback succeed.
“Again, it’s a three-phase game,” Pickering said, “and Dean continues to do great things.”
“It’s nice to see it all clicking offensively.”
Williams scored the only touchdown of the second half on an 8-yard run with 4:52 left in the third quarter, making it 42-0 and triggering the running clock rule.
Lincoln Park threatened to score on its final possession, but Edwardsville intercepted a pass to preserve the shutout.
The date and kickoff time for Edwardsville’s game at Normal Community will be announced by the IHSA on Monday afternoon.
