EAST RUTHERFORD -- By the time Giants running back Andre Williams reached high school he had already become a bit of a world traveler.

Born in Poughkeepsie to Jamaican immigrants Lancelene and Ervin, Williams spent his first year back in his family's island nation before returning to live in Central New Jersey with his parents, sister and two brothers. His family also lived in Atlanta, Georgia and Allentown, Pennsylvania.

It was in Allentown, a blue-collar town about an hour north of Philadelphia where Williams became a high school standout, rushing for 1,913 yards on 128 carries and 33 touchdowns while playing for the Parkland High School Trojans, and eventually landing at Boston College where he became a finalist for the Heisman Trophy last season.

On Wednesday, Williams, who had a strong showing in relief of Rashad Jennings Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, said he's looking forward to catching up with family and friends in the Keystone State Sunday night as the Giants take on the first place Eagles in an NFC East showdown.

"It's going to be special," Williams said after Wednesday's practice. "I know a lot of friends that I went to high school with will probably be at the game. My Mom's going to be at the game, so it's going to be fun to be back home."

The 6-foot-230 pound running back has 54 carries for 170 yards through the first five games of the season and is expected to be the featured back in place of Jennings on Sunday night, meaning Williams will have the opportunity to put on a show for his friends and relatives in attendance at Lincoln Financial Field.

"I was in the Philly area a lot," Williams said. "We played a lot of schools in the Philly area and it's definitely going to be back and still be playing football, what I was doing since I was little, so. It's homecoming."

Not to be lost in the sentimentality of the moment is the fact that this represents Williams' first game against the bitter division rival Eagles, a series with a storied history of strong performances from running backs on both sides. From Tiki Barber and Frank Gifford on the Giants' side of the ledger to LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook having big games for the Eagles. Williams says though, in his mind, Sunday night is just another game.

"[My teammates] say that the Philly fans can be rough," Williams said. "But we're just really concentrating on winning the game."

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