By Craig Brown

Former Dillon Christian School Warrior Jemel Williams recently received several honors in the college division two ranks and was named to the USA College Football Division II All American Team.

Born Franklin Jemel Williams, he is now referred to as FJ by his teammates and family. FJ is a rising senior at Seton Hill, located in Greensburg Pennsylvania.

In addition to making the Division II All American team, FJ received numerous other honors including the Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Star team and the BSN All Super Region Team, and he was a PSAC West first team selection.
FJ rewrote the record book at Seton Hill this season at the wide receiver position with 83 receptions for 1,071 yards and eight touchdowns. He also set two single game records with 15 receptions against California and had 261 receiving yards against Mercyhurst and finished with three touchdown receptions against Clarion.

With all of his honors, Seton Hill only won three games this year but as FJ put it, “We were a very young team that looks to be a force to be reckoned with next season.” FJ intends to do all that he can to help his team. If FJ continues to set school and conference records that will be great but he plays as a team member for the Seton Hill Griffins.

FJ credits God, a loving family and some very close friends for his success. FJ’s mother, Frankie Gail Cooper, gave her son love and advised him to trust in God.

FJ joined Dillon Christian School for his sophomore year, with the support of his mother and sister, Desarie Williams, who sacrificed to help him pay for the tuition. Later FJ’s older brother, Archie Williams, also did what he could to assist.

“Archie is more than just a big brother,” FJ said. “He has always been there for me and keeps me out of trouble.”

In his senior year at DCS, FJ made the All-Region team and played in the North South All-Star Game. At DCS, FJ made some lifetime friends with some of the coaches, especially line coach Steve Johnson, who continues to give him advice and guidance. FJ also states that he has received some guidance on how to conduct himself on and off the field from former Marlboro County Bull Dog and later stand out as a Carolina Game Cock, Sevelle Newton.

FJ does have aspirations to play at the next level and some scouts have attended his games. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds he is built more like a tight end but states that hard training has upped his speed from his DCS playing days making it possible to play the wide receiver position.

DCS has sent a surprising number of players to the college ranks. No matter where I go in the state if someone asks me where I am from they almost always remark about the great sports programs at Dillon High, Lake View, Latta, and recently Dillon Christian.