HS Football: Wildkats Add Another Win to Resume Following Home Conquest of Oak Ridge

WILLIS, TX -- Senior Night ended in a 9th straight win for the Willis Wildkats (9-0) following their 63-17 victory over the Oak Ridge War Eagles (2-6) at Yates Stadium.

Traditions of celebrating senior band members, cheerleaders, Sweethearts, and football players came together for Willis on Friday night. Four years of continued work culminated with a pre-game walk to honor each individual’s accomplishments.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Willis Head Coach Trent Miller discussed the role this group of seniors played in developing the Wildkat football program.

“These seniors were the first group that we got our hands on when we got her in April,” said Miller. “It’s a testament to the work they put in.”

Work was certainly put in by the Wildkats, as demonstrated by their opening drive of the game.

Following a lengthy return of the opening kickoff to the Oak Ridge 24-yard line, a single passing play and a rampaging Terri Lawrence III put Willis in the endzone in less than 20 seconds. The blistering pace and immediate statement carried the team through the entire game, as the offense refused to give an inch.

Oak Ridge’s district-leading run game did make some strides down the field on the following War Eagle possession. Justin Hayes and Drayton Urbay worked the ball into open space, with play-action passes catching the secondary stunned.

Despite solid gains, the War Eagle stalled just inside field goal range. The Markus Erstad field goal sailed through the uprights for a 7-3 Willis lead, but the War Eagle offense that worked the first drive would be sorely missed for the rest of the half.

Each of Oak Ridge’s next six drives would come up empty due to a combination of turnovers on downs, punts, or the end of the first half.

“I love how our guys are swarming to the football right now,” said Miller. “It goes down to how our kids fight, how they compete, and their love for one another. When something goes wrong, there’s always another guy there to pick someone up for the next play.”

With the War Eagle offense handled, the Wildkat offense was free to use their offensive prowess to rack up scores at will.

Jack Emerson tallied his second passing score of the first quarter by getting the ball to Jermaine Bishop Jr. The dynamic passing and receiving duo sent the score to 14-3 in Willis’ favor, and the team would not look back after extending their lead.

Four more touchdown drives, including two more touchdowns to Lawrence III, stretched the Wildkat drive to its greatest height so far. Four Wildkats had reached the endzone through runs and receptions, leading to a 42-3 Willis lead going into the half.

“Pleased, excited, ecstatic. I don’t know what adjective to use to describe it,” said Miller on his offense. “So many guys touched the ball tonight and found the endzone. It goes back to the selflessness of these young men.”

Willis’ hefty lead coming out of halftime led to both teams taking a run-heavy offensive focus that ate the remainder of the clock.

The focus on the run aided Oak Ridge and their 1,000-yard rusher to find similar success to their first drive.

Hayes and the War Eagle offense came up empty on their first drive of the second half, but their continued rushes and Willis penalties pushed the team into a spot where they could finally add another score.

Sound blocking on the right edge and a burst of speed from Urbay got Oak Ridge into the endzone for the first time, but it did little to satiate the 49-10 Willis lead that continued to weigh down on the War Eagles.

A rushing touchdown from Jakobe Blanks and a punt return touchdown from De-Quentin Willis tacked on two more scores for the Wildkats to make the game 63-10 in the fourth quarter, but one final say from Oak Ridge would be the last gasp of the thoroughly defeated team.

Second-unit players for Willis were lightly overpowered by the War Eagle starters who played the remainder of the game. Players like Justin Hayes were free to use their impressive speed and finesse to get one final score before the clock struck zero.

Oak Ridge’s rushing score to Hayes made the final result a 63-17 Willis win, but some talking points were sure to carry through for the Wildkats ahead of next week’s season closer against the Grand Oaks Grizzlies.

“We’re going to see a different look with Grant [Smith] at quarterback and what they do offensively than we’ve seen the last three or four weeks,” explained Miller. “Defensively, we’ve been battling with them for the number one defense. So it’ll be a good test for us to go up against a look like that.”

Woodforest Bank Stadium on Halloween Night will be the host for Willis’ season closer against the Grizzlies, while Oak Ridge gets set to host Caney Creek on Friday, November 1st.

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