HS Football Playoffs: Willis’ Unbeaten Run Ends in Defeat to Reigning Champion DeSoto Eagles

FRISCO, TX -- The magical, unbeaten run for the Willis Wildkats came to an end due to the DeSoto Eagles in a heartbreaking 55-35 affair in the Regional Semifinals.

The anticipated rematch from last year’s semifinal had both teams on edge waiting to see who would emerge victorious and advance.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Willis Head Coach Trent Miller explained the team’s approach before the opening kickoff.

“The biggest thing was reminding the kids about the pain we went through in the Alamodome,” said Miller. “We had seen the tempo, we’d seen DeSoto before, and there wasn’t anything new there.”

What was new compared to last season’s game was the rapid pace exhibited by the Wildkats on their first two possessions.

Willis’ first possessions were similar to their regular season outings regarding execution and results. Explosive plays from elusive playmakers worked the ball into open space before exploiting it for big gains.

Emerson and the Wildkats mounted back-to-back touchdown drives via their explosive style. One ended in a Jermaine Bishop Jr. touchdown and the other in a Jalen Mickens touchdown.

The two scores on successive possessions proved Willis was ready to play, but the slowly building momentum on DeSoto’s side would soon erupt for a massive shift.

“We came out hot in the first quarter, but [DeSoto] made adjustments and we started to stall out,” said Miller.

Powerful running and a lethal Eagle read-option game exploited holes in the increasingly tired Wildkat defense. The combination of unstoppable running and diverse playcalling culminated in 34 unanswered points in DeSoto’s favor before the end of the half.

Willis’ defense had prided itself on defending the run, but a bone-shattering performance from Deondrae Riden Jr continually broke through the vaunted purple and white defenders for huge chunks of the field.

By the time the dust settled on the first half, the Eagles had mounted five straight scoring drives compared to none from Willis following their first-quarter scores.

The lopsided 34-14 DeSoto lead may have discouraged many teams into quitting, but Willis was determined to fight to the bitter end on the final swansongs for many of their star players.

Another rushing touchdown from DeSoto heightened the pressure against Willis, but the silent offense was about to reemerge in a big showing during the third quarter.

Emerson and the skill players set aside their shortcomings toward the end of the first half and settled into the tendencies that made each of them special during the regular season.

Screen plays turned into touchdowns for Willis as the game was turned on its head by a flurry of Wildkat touchdowns. Three touchdown passes from Emerson brought the team back from the brink while igniting a resurgence of defensive control that nearly held DeSoto scoreless.

The combination of fresh offense and emotional defense left the Eagles speechless as the Wildkats stormed back to force the game into a seven-point Desoto lead going into the fourth.

Fans on both sides sat on pins and needles in anticipation of what may happen next, but what came next shocked many hardcore fans.

DeSoto’s rapidly paced offense slowed their possessions down to a crawl while continuing to get first downs. Precious seconds ticked away from Willis, with the Eagles taking their time while still achieving the goal of scoring to reextend their lead.

With both time and the score working against them late, the writing on the wall was becoming very apparent for the desperate Wildkats.

A late turnover on downs against the Wildkats was the final nail in the coffin, and one last score sealed the deal to put the game to bed in a 55-35 Wildkat defeat.

One final ride for the seniors that has meant so much to the Willis program since Coach Miller’s arrival was enough to wipe away the pain of another playoff defeat.

“That was the first group that we got our hands on as freshmen in the offseason,” said Miller. “They fought for each other, they always had each other’s backs, and they’re going to be special young men, husbands, and fathers in the future.”

Another historic year for the Wildkats continues to show why Willis’ future remains as bright as ever.