HS Football: Homecoming Night Ends with Wildkats Thrashing the Indians

WILLIS, TX -- During their homecoming night celebration, the Willis Wildkats (5-0) mauled the Cleveland Indians (0-5) in a 77-0 statement shutout on Friday.

Willis’ test last week against The Woodlands Highlanders gave the team a considerable lead as one of two unbeaten teams remaining in 13-6A, with Conroe behind them. The concern coming into the team’s game against Cleveland would be coming down from the high, but Head Coach Trent Miller was on top of it.

In an exclusive interview with the Woodlands Online Sports, Miller spoke on his concerns following the team’s massive win and how the team stayed focused before their date with Cleveland.

“We were trying to find creative ways in the coach's office to keep those guys licked in and focused,” said Miller. “Because it’s hard to come off a high like that and continue to play at such a high level.”

A focused and prepared Willis team showed its stuff during a first quarter that was all Wildkats from the start.

The opening kickoff was nearly taken to the endzone by Jermaine Bishop Jr., but a penalty on a block in the back brought the ball back and the Wildkats were forced to score the conventional way.

Jack Emerson and the rest of the Willis offense showed why they were among the district’s best by ruthlessly ripping the Cleveland defense apart on each of the team’s nine first-half drives.

The first quarter saw Emerson orchestrate an offense that lived inside of Indian territory. Three drives were capped off with rushing touchdowns and one was a passing score. Daylion Robinson, Terri Lawrence III, and Bishop Jr. each found the endzone in an opening quarter that was nearly flawless for Willis.

Cleveland’s woes started on their first chance to play offense when the kickoff was mishandled and the Wildkats recovered it. After that mistake, the Indians struggled to generate momentum throughout the game.

In stark contrast to Cleveland’s flat offense, the Wildkats rolled on their blitzkrieg of the scoreboard. Jalen Mickens, Romel Stevens, and Jorn Halbaedier added their names as scoring Wildkats, as the team continued to extend its lead before halftime.

“That goes back to how we practice from Monday through Wednesday. We’re out there practicing to make sure everyone’s getting touches,” said Miller. “Because we have no idea what defensive game our opponents are going to run.”

Willis’ preparation for any defense was unnecessary, as the Indians failed to stop any of the Wildkats’ offensive drives.

Nine possessions ended in nine touchdowns for the Wildkats, culminating in a 63-0 halftime lead for Willis.

The improbability of a comeback from Cleveland led to the officials implementing a running clock for the second half. Still, valuable reps for second-unit players were a welcome sight for Willis.

“It’s special because those guys bleed and sweat every single day just like the starters do,” said Miller. “So to be able to spread the ball out with those guys in the second half at the level they deserve is very rewarding.”

Players like Jakobe Blanks and Hayden Hood got valuable reps that will prepare them for next season’s grind.

Even with the clock ticking fast, the Wildkats continued to pour on more points with the second-unit players on the field, with Blanks finding Halbaedier for a passing score and plunging through defenders for a rushing score.

Blanks’ play was matched by the defense, who was playing to keep the sheet clean against the Indians. No amount of play variation, blocking schemes, or exotic route design fazed the Willis defense, who continued to make negative plays and sacks against the maligned Cleveland offense.

The fast clock and complete dominance from Willis made the second half pass quickly, with the final whistle blowing with the Wildkats taking the dub 77-0.

The win was a statement and a personal achievement for Willis’ coaching staff. Defensive Coordinator Jeff Slafka had been the Wildkats’ defensive play-caller for two seasons, but this was his first shutout, an achievement that was celebrated by all involved.

“I think the kids, more so than anything, not only did it for themselves but they did it for [Slafka],” said Miller. “He’s been itching for it for two years now and we usually did something that gave that up, but to see the guys anchor down like they did was special.”

A night of special performances now leads to the team refocusing on a matchup against the playoff-contending College Park Cavaliers. Last season was lopsided, but a blood-thirsty Cavs squad will be a tough test to overcome.

“We gotta keep the main thing the main thing and focus on cleaning up the little mistakes,” said Miller. “We had some issues with penalties and perimeter blocking all throughout the game and issues with finishing tackles. We’ll work on those things throughout the week and we’ll be ready for them.”

College Park will prepare to host the Wildkats next Friday at 7:00 P.M. while Cleveland searches for their first win of the season against the Caney Creek Panthers.