43
Ursuline graduate boosts Notre Dame College
By Greg Gulas
The Notre Dame College football program is just nine years old, beginning as a club sport in 2010 and competing on the NAIA level the following season.
In 2012, Notre Dame played a Division II schedule and in 2013 became full-fledged members of the Mountain East Conference.
Now, the Falcons are 10-0 and will meet Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa., for their regular-season finale.
The bigger picture includes a first conference championship, first national ranking (11th) and a first playoff berth.
One reason for the Falcons’ success this year has been the play of former Ursuline High defensive stalwart Sha’haun Williams.
In Saturday’s 25-17 win over Virginia-Wise, Williams registered three sacks. His final one included a forced fumble, which was recovered in the end zone for the final touchdown.
Williams set a new conference record with 14 sacks.
On Oct. 27, he broke the Notre Dame record, surpassing Bob Hansen’s 10.
“It’s very special when you think about guys like Claudy Mathieu, Derrick Bavol and all the others who played before me and previously held the record,” Williams said. “To now be the one that holds the record is just a wonderful feeling.”
Williams is a 2014 Ursuline graduate where he earned all-district and all-state honors for three seasons.
He spent the 2016 season with Youngstown State but did not play, returning to the NDC last season where he produced 13 tackles and added two sacks in five games.
With 22 Ω career sacks and a year of eligibility remaining, he is closing in on the program’s career sack mark of 26, established by Mathieu from 2014-17.
Notre Dame head coach Mike Jacobs calls Williams one of the very best defensive players to play for the Falcons.
“Sha’haun is having a really special season for us,” Jacobs said. “He’s made the adjustment to playing inside defensive tackle full-time and has been outstanding.
“The impressive thing to me, aside from setting our single season sack record, is that he has been extremely active and physical in stopping the run,” Jacobs said. “I think what makes him such a strong pass rusher is his ability to use speed and power to defeat blocks.
“He is singled up over guards quite a bit, which creates match-up issues for opposing teams.”
Williams said it’s fun to play for Jacobs and defensive coordinator Jahmal Brown.
“Coach Jacobs was my defensive line coach my freshman year and along with Coach Brown, they stress working on technique and make sure you work on the little things that make a difference,” Williams said. “Each coach has the attitude that everyone is going to run to the ball and be physical on every play.”
Williams credits Ursuline head coach Larry Kempe with helping to prepare him for college.
“I loved playing for Coach Kempe because he really did a lot to prepare me for the next level,” Williams said. “I loved playing back in high school and still wish I had one more game to play. Everyone wishes they had one game left in their high school career.”
With one game remaining, Williams has 41 total tackles (28 solos), 16 tackles for loss (103 yards), 14 sacks (100 yards), two pass break ups, two forced fumbles and a blocked punt.
Williams said the team doesn’t need any motivation because they know exactly what is on the line.
“We know what we are playing for,” Williams said. “We all know what we’ve accomplished this season, but there’s still more that needs to be done and we cannot get complacent.
“We’ve won our first conference championship but want a perfect season and first ever playoff berth. Then, we’re hoping to make a deep playoff run.”