HS Football: Willis Rolls to Victory Behind Stellar Offense and Lockdown Defense

WILLIS, TX -- The Willis Wildkats (2-0) throttled visiting Temple Wildcats (1-1) on Friday in the team’s final look before the start of district play.

With the Friday night lights set on Willis quarterback D.J. Lagway, the Wildkats immediately opened the door for offensive production.

Willis would open the game with a score on their first offensive drive, which kicked off four combined scores for both teams in the first quarter that ended tied at 14.

Neither team could create separation entering the second quarter until Willis’ offense came to life in a big way. Two quick scores highlighted by a D.J. Lagway would put the Wildkats up 28-14 at the half.

Not to be outdone, the defense would generate three consecutive stops against Temple. Big hits and stops on the defensive end for Willis created the separation for the team to begin truly hitting the gas.

Willis Head Coach Trent Miller commented on his defense that kept the cushion intact as the teams went to the locker rooms.

“Defensively we are trying to rip people’s souls out,” said Miller. “Whistle to whistle, sideline to sideline those guys can fly around like that.”

Temple would charge down the field after taking the second-half kickoff and use their charge to put up a field goal. These points would be the only ones given up for the rest of the game by the Willis defense as the clamps were put on receivers by the secondary and runs were clogged by backers.

With the pressure off, Willis would begin to utilize the run game to great success in the second half. Runningbacks Terri Lawrence III and Daylio Robinson would begin to cook the Temple defense with bursts to the outside for big gains.

“We have got a great one-two punch,” said Miller. “That was a staple of what we wanted to focus on in this offseason, being able to run the football and not just being an air-raid.”

After an offensive surge and the continued defensive lockdown, Willis would march away with a demonstrative 45-17 victory in front of their home crowd.

With a complete victory secured, the Willis coaching staff can now turn their attention to the start of District 13-6A and the changes needed to secure a win.

“We have a lot of things that we need to get cleaned up,” said Miller. “We need to control what we can control and let the rest take care of itself.”

Willis will open district play on the road against the New Caney Eagles at Randall Reed while the Temple Wildcats face College Station on Friday.