High School Football Spotlight: Luke Williams Cincinnati Landmark

For those who have read my interviews in the past, you are all aware of Landmark Christian. Coach Goodpaster has gone way beyond the normal to make me feel like I belong when I cover his games. Everyone I met associated with the school, from the athletic director to one of the school secretaries, has been willing to get me any information I need while I am at the games. The players I have contacted have all agreed to the interview. In reading this interview and another, I have coming up with another Landmark Christian player you will find out what makes this team so special and fun to be around.

Name: Luke Williams

School: Landmark Christian

Positions played: Defensive Tackle, Defensive End, and Offensive Tavkle

After talking with Coach Goodpaster, I learned that you missed last season. Can you tell the readers about your injury and how the healing process has gone?

Unfortunately, before the season, I completely tore my ACL. My recovery has well-exceeded expectations. I worked with Accelerate ACL to speed up my recovery, which was such a life-changing process. Physically, I felt amazing, and mentally, I’ve surpassed anywhere I thought I’d be at this point.

Before the injury, what were the main goals you had set for yourself? I like to set high expectations.

I was going for a championship, conference defensive player of the year, all-state, and wanted to earn a Division I offer.

Can you tell the readers just how hard it was for you to miss the 2022 season?

It wasn’t easy. Spending an entire off-season preparing myself physically and mentally to be a dominant player and having it ripped away within a second was hard to process. I’m thankful supportive people surrounded me. My life is football, and playing in Division I is what I aspire to do, and the injury certainly threw me off track.

Listed at 6-1,285, you play on both sides of the ball. Which side do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy both sides, but I enjoy the defensive line more.

Which side of the line is the hardest to play?

Each side has its difficulties. For me, the defensive line is harder.

In your opinion, who was the best player Cincinnati Landmark Christian faced in 2022?

#3 on the Columbus Crusaders, Jericho Etok was an electric athlete.

Who do you believe was the best team you guys faced last season?

The Columbus Crusaders because they had athletes all over the field.

Which means more to you: beating one of the OHSAA teams you guys play or beating a league foe?

League Foe has more clout. There is a lot of history between the teams we play, and it’s always competitive.

What did you learn about yourself during your rehab that will make you a better player on the field this season?

Mentally, I am in one of the best places I’ve ever been. The most difficult part is not physical, but mental. There are times you’ll be demotivated, and you’ll get a little knee pain. Not everything will go according to plan, and that’s okay. When I step on the field next year, I will be the mentally toughest player out there. Overall, the injury has taught me mental toughness. It’s taught me to never take anything for granted and to enjoy every second of what we have. It’s helped me optimize every second I have towards my training.

After talking with Coach Goodpaster, I learned that you have been getting some college looks. Can you name some of the schools that are looking at you?

I’ve been in contact with Eastern Kentucky, Ball State, St. Francis, Eastern Carolina, Marshall, Bryant, Valpo and a few others.