Yorkville’s Joel Castillo faced a life-threatening car accident on Interstate 88 last March. Fortunately, he emerged from the ordeal with the opportunity to return to football in the fall. Castillo, a 5-foot-9, 167-pound senior, has shown impressive recovery as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Foxes.
‘I was driving home from a workout in Chicago when a tire went through my windshield,’ Castillo explained. ‘It’s by the grace of God that I’m here. Actually, that we’re both here.’
Lincoln Ijams, Castillo’s friend and workout partner, also survived unscathed. Ijams, a freshman receiver at Butler, was a passenger during the accident when a tire detached from another vehicle and collided with Castillo’s car.
“We both got out somehow, basically unscathed almost, but a lot of glass and bleeding,” Castillo noted.
Castillo did sustain significant injuries, including the loss of a front tooth, a broken jaw, and a severe concussion. These injuries impacted his class attendance and disrupted his summer football training and recruitment. ‘I was out for a couple of months,’ he said, highlighting neck and back issues he faced.
Despite these challenges, Castillo’s athleticism shone through in a game against Oswego East. His 96-yard kickoff return broke a scoreless tie, contributing to Yorkville’s 21-7 victory. He also made a pivotal 22-yard catch on a fourth-and-13 scenario and added an 11-yard diving reception.
Yorkville coach Dan McGuire praised Castillo’s performance, saying, ‘He’s explosive and a heckuva weapon for us.’
Castillo’s stats include 29 receptions for 498 yards and three touchdowns, along with 375 kick return yards. Despite setbacks in recruiting, Castillo remains hopeful about playing at a collegiate level.
The accident brought Ijams and Holly, Castillo’s mother, closer. Ijams promptly informed Holly about the incident. ‘It’s the scariest phone call you’ll ever get,’ she recounted.
Holly appreciated Coach McGuire’s efforts in ensuring Castillo completed his junior year, noting that he maintained his honor-roll status.
Castillo’s motivation to train ambitiously is evident in his commitment to working with a top trainer. ‘I’ve always had this motto in my head, ‘If you want to be the best, you have to train with the best,’ Castillo stated, showing gratitude for his opportunity to play this season.