Yorkville’s Joel Castillo knows how lucky he was to walk away from a car accident last March on Interstate 88 and even luckier still to be able return to playing football this fall.
The fact that Castillo — a 5-foot-9, 167-pound senior — hasn’t missed a beat as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Foxes since recovering from his injuries is pretty remarkable.
“I was driving down the highway, coming home from a workout in Chicago. and had a tire go through my windshield,” Castillo said. “It was by the grace of God that I’m here.
“Actually, that we’re both here.”
Lincoln Ijams, a friend from conference rival Oswego East who is now a freshman receiver at Butler, had joined Castillo for the workout and was a passenger in the car.
“The other car was in the fast lane going to Chicago and I was in the fast lane going home,” Castillo said. “The tire just came off.
“We both got out somehow, basically unscathed almost, but a lot of glass and bleeding.”
Unscathed wasn’t entirely the case for Castillo, who lost one of his front teeth, suffered a broken jaw and had a “pretty severe concussion” that cost him class time and most of his summer football training and recruiting.
“I was out for a couple months,” Castillo said. “I had some pretty bad neck, body and back issues.”
It’s hard to believe now, except for the missing tooth. Castillo flashed a big smile Friday after playing a pivotal role in Yorkville’s 21-7 win at home over Oswego East.
His 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half — his second in as many weeks — broke a scoreless first-half tie.
He then set up the Foxes’ second TD with a 22-yard catch on fourth-and-13 at the Wolves’ 26-yard line and added an 11-yard diving reception for the final TD, both from quarterback Quintin Rink on a play that also drew a pass interference penalty.
“On the fourth-down play, coach told me I had to get to the sticks and I did just that,” Castillo said. “When we came out in a squeezed set, they manned up and had someone over the top of me.
“Personally, when I see that, it’s when my best game comes out. I feel like I showed out on that play, and Q rolled out and hit me with a beautiful pass.”
Castillo confirmed that his TD catch was on a similar call.
“He’s explosive and a heckuva weapon for us,” Yorkville coach Dan McGuire said. “He deserves a ton of credit. He’s not tentative at all.”
Castillo leads Yorkville (4-4) with 29 receptions for 498 yards and three TDs. He also has 375 yards on kick returns.
“I’d love to play at the next level,” Castillo said. “It’s been my dream since I got into football at 6 years old. My recruiting has dimmed a little, but that’s always in the bigger picture.
“I’m just trying to finish this season strong.”
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Looking back on the accident, Ijams was able to give Castillo’s mother Holly the news with a phone call even before the police reached her.
“It’s the scariest phone call you’ll ever get,” she said. “Then to hear what really happened? One of the most bizarre things ever. For both to walk away with what I consider minor injuries because they were alive — amazing.
“We had eight college visits scheduled before but could only make one because of the surgery on his mouth and all the appointments. When football ends, he has to get a permanent bridge.”
She credited McGuire for helping make sure the honor roll student completed his junior year despite missing the final two months of classes.
“Coach McGuire is the reason,” Holly Castillo said. “Joel went from straight A’s to having to take a summer class, but coach made sure he finished and passed junior year.”
Castillo related that he and Ijams were working with a big-name 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 said. “And he trains some of the Catholic League dudes. It’s been a pretty rocky road.
“I’m unbelievably grateful to play this season.”