HS Football Playoffs: Willis Adds Bi-District Champions to their Accolades Following Win Over Spring

WILLIS, TX -- Heavy offense and a first-half surge saw the Willis Wildkats (11-0) send the Spring Lions (5-6) home in defeat following a 63-16 win in the Bi-District round of the UIL Playoffs.

A full bye week of preparation allowed the Wildkats to fine-tune their approach to countering the Lions in every aspect of the game. The run-oriented Spring offense would have to overcome a rested, ready Willis defense that had prided itself on stopping the run.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Willis Head Coach Trent Miller spoke on the team’s strategy during the bye week while looking forward to their bi-district matchup.

“We had that bye week but didn’t have an idea of who we were playing until that late,” said Miller. “That Friday morning allowed us to really start preparing for Spring, but our district is so competitive with everyone running the ball well that stopping the run almost becomes second nature.”

Willis’ first nature was to quickly get on the scoreboard with an opening drive that took only one minute to breach the endzone. One of Jack Emerson’s many passing touchdowns of the first half came on a shallow cross that Jermaine Bishop Jr. took to the house for the opening touchdown.

The quick, one-minute possession highlighted Willis’ playmaking abilities while immediately putting pressure on Spring to keep up or risk falling behind.

Spring’s opening drive showed promise compared to the unrelenting defense that defined Willis’ run through 13-6A.

A lengthy run to the outside edge of the line of scrimmage from Cameron Johnson broke through the Wildkats' second level and moved the ball inside the red zone. Willis was able to force the ball back on consecutive plays and force a field goal, but Spring’s offense showed that it could execute big plays of its own.

Like clockwork, the Willis offense returned to the field and got to work reestablishing a lead. Following a rushing score from Terri Lawrence III on the team’s second possession, the Wildkats never looked back.

The remainder of the first half saw Willis score on each of their six offensive drives. Passes from Emerson to his receivers, runs from Lawrence III and Robinson, and great blocking from the offensive line all combined to create an unstoppable force that stretched the lead at will.

“We pride ourselves on starting fast. Scoring quick, scoring efficiently, and scoring early,” said Miller. “I think that sets the tone for the rest of the ball game and it gives our defense something to feed off.”

After giving up a field goal on Spring’s first possession, the Wildkat defense surged and became an immovable object the Lions could not break through.

No amount of runs, passes, or options from the elusive Lion ball carriers could slip through the fast-moving Wildkat defense. Stellar play from the secondary saw defensive backs come up with tackles in the open field that continually pushed the Spring offense behind the chains.

“What kind of caught us off guard was the sheer athleticism of the guys in their backfield,” said Miller. “But it’s a lot of credit to our district for teaching us how to adjust and defend the run. That preparation and the energy of our kids got us ready.”

None of Spring’s six possessions following their field goal would end in a score. The manageable 7-3 Wildkat lead in the first quarter had rapidly swelled to a 42-3 Willis romp in the first half.

The characteristic dominance that has followed Willis’ play throughout the season carried over to the second half, with more insurance scores solidifying the likely Wildkat-friendly outcome.

Spring was the first to score in the second half due to their continued attempts to run the ball through the Wildkat brick wall. Small cracks had been exploited before, but a breakthrough from Johnson got the Lions on the board for the first time since the first quarter.

With Spring refusing to surrender quietly, the Wildkats took it upon themselves to seal the game shut with two more scores of their own. Emerson’s sixth passing touchdown of the night put the team up 56-10 late in the third quarter and a final rushing touchdown from Lawrence III added the final nail in the bi-district coffin.

The game was already out of hand and shut when an 81-yard touchdown run from the Lions breached the endzone for another late score, but a greater focus on getting substitutes and secondary players snaps took over the fourth quarter.

Snaps to the substitute players ran out the remainder of the fourth quarter. The final buzzer signaled another dominant Willis victory, rewarding the team with a 63-16 win and a Bi-District Championship.

“With these last two years, our booster club is going to have to come in big because we're out of room in our trophy case,” said a pleased Miller. “It’s been a very special two-year run and we’re excited for the future and what these next couple of weeks will bring.”

The Wildkats have to wait for tomorrow’s matchup between Tomball and Cypress Springs to see who they will play next, but the team is optimistic about their next steps toward a hopeful title.

“We appreciate the love and support, but it’s a testament to these kids and the work they put in,” said Miller. “People are finally starting to realize what we’re about.”

Willis’ next matchup and details can be found on the UIL’s official website along with the full bracket for 6A-Division II.