Willis Hosts Grand Oaks For A Spooky Final District Test On Halloween Night

WILLIS, TX — If you’re not out trick-or-treating or busy handing out candy this Halloween, this game might give a few scares of its own. The Willis Wildkats’ regular season has been full of highs and lows, and they’ll close it out this Friday against a Grand Oaks team eager to play spoiler. This will be Willis’s final game before their “bye” week and the start of the postseason. Both teams have already secured playoff spots, but the outcome could still impact their district standings. Willis enters the matchup 6–1 in district play and ranked No. 2, while Grand Oaks sits at 4–2 in the No. 4 spot. For Willis, this is a must-win game to maintain momentum after their midseason stumble against College Park. The Grizzlies won’t make it easy, boasting one of the district’s best rushing attacks — a ground game capable of creeping up and causing nightmares for defenses late in the season.

Willis Wildkats: Finish Strong

While this season hasn’t gone exactly as planned, Willis still appears ready for a strong postseason run. A win on Friday would almost certainly secure the No. 2 seed, giving the Wildkats a smoother path through the playoff bracket. Willis’s offense remains its strength, led by the dynamic duo of Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Lincoln Frazier. Bishop, a 4-star athlete, has been electrifying on both sides of the ball, leading the district with 1,068 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, along with two interceptions on defense — one returned 90 yards for a pick-six. Frazier, meanwhile, has dominated opposing defenses like a jack-o’-lantern, leading the district with 2,419 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. TE Jaivion Martin and RB Jamarcus Williams have also played key roles. Martin has 731 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Williams has added 448 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and another 198 receiving yards with two scores. His versatility could be a big advantage against a tough Grizzlies defense. On defense, Willis has been impressively strong recently — holding opponents to 10 points or fewer in three straight games. They’ve totaled 17.5 sacks, led by DE Waylan Nolan (8), while Cayden Williams leads the team with 65 tackles. The defense has forced 11 turnovers, including seven interceptions and four fumble recoveries, with both Bishop and A’Majai Friend returning one for a touchdown each. If the Wildkats can maintain this balance, they’ll head into the postseason ready to challenge their opponents.

Grand Oaks Grizzlies: An Emerging Contender

Founded in 2018 and entering district play in 2020, Grand Oaks has rapidly become a genuine threat. This season signifies another significant step for the Grizzlies, who are proving they’re no longer newcomers — or the haunted house, for that matter. Their run game has been their monster under the bed. RB Keilan Gause leads the district with 1,051 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, recording seven 100+ yard games this season. His teammate, Bryan Victorian Jr., has added 534 yards and 4 TDs, forming a formidable backfield duo. QB Grant Smith has been consistent, throwing for 796 yards and 9 TDs, while rushing for 252 yards and 5 more scores. His primary targets, Preston Cloud (191 yards, 3 TDs) and Darnell Jackson Jr. (285 yards, 4 TDs), provide Grand Oaks with some aerial threat if defenses load up against the run. Defensively, the Grizzlies have been just as fierce — holding opponents under 14 points in their last four games. They’ve accumulated 24 sacks, led by DE Cullen Thompson (8.5) and DE Aaron Times (5), and forced 14 turnovers. With a defense this aggressive, Willis’s high-powered offense could face a spine-chilling challenge.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of games scheduled for this Halloween Friday, but this one seems destined to be a thriller. While Willis has the higher talent level, Grand Oaks has the balance and grit to make things spooky if the Wildkats lose focus. Expect fireworks from the Bishop–Frazier connection, and don’t be surprised if Bishop plays both ways — a bit of Halloween double duty. Whether you’re out collecting candy or staying home by the glow of a porch light, tune in to the live broadcast on Woodlands Online — this Halloween matchup could turn out scarier than anyone expects.