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Willis looking for district repeat?
Willis, The Woodlands battle for supremacy in DISTRICT 13-6A; the breakdown, photo gallery
The Woodlands Highlanders
Conroe Tigers
Grand Oaks Grizzlies
Oak Ridge War Eagles
College Park Cavs
New Caney Eagles
Cleveland Indians
Caney Creek Panthers
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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Grand Oaks QB Grant Smith
VYPE'S PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Jermaine Bishop, Willis
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dramecko Green, Conroe
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dorian Brew, Conroe
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Grant Smith, Grand Oaks
ON THE CUSP: College Park Cavs
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Trent Miller and the Willis Wildkats made school history in 2023, going undefeated in the regular season and district play and advancing to the Regional Semis. Unfortunately, the Gatorade Player of the Year DJ Lagway-era is over as he begins his career at Florida, but all is not lost. Superfreak athlete Jermaine Bishop returns to run, catch, defend and score for Willis as a nationally-ranked junior. RB Daylion Robinson is a load and could be a game- changer as he moves the chains for the offense, along with Terri Lawrence III. Jalen Mickens (La. Tech-commit) is another a shifty playmaker that will be leaned on more in 2024. Romel Stevens is a 6-foot-7 stretch WR. The OL will be anchored by Mason Isbell and Dajon Moore, while the DL will be led by Frankie Long. Bishop will also cover the opponents’ best WR.
The Woodlands say goodbye to QB Mabrey Mettauer, who is now on campus at Wisconsin, so who is the QB1 for the Highlanders? Coach Jim Rapp will look to Jack Daulton or Cadriel Outlaw to take the reigns at QB, who will have premier targets in Shane Walker (Tulsa-commit) and Jackson Bolender. The OL will be a rebuilding project, as they try a few RBs to tote the rock. On defense, the secondary will be the strength. Parker Stewart is a legit shutdown cover, while Caycen Bartolazzi is an anchor at safety. Jabaric Sullivan and James Contelupe are also solid in the back end. Zachary Wardle, Drew Honeyman and Dang Wei will man the middle of the field at LB, with junior DL Jyree Jefferson manning the trenches. Kicker/ punter Scott Starzyk is a weapon and committed to Iowa.
The Conroe Tigers could be set up for coach Cedric Hardeman’s best season so far. The Tigers made the postseason in 2023, going 6-5, but the offensive will be even more experienced. QB Christian Nunley threw for over 1,300 yards and SMU-commit Dramecko Green ran for over 1,300 yards. Green is a bullish back who can catch out of the backfield. Jalen Mayon and Braylen Mills will stretch the field at WR along with two-way player Dorian Brew. The Oregon- commit Brew is fast, physical and has a tremendous football IQ at DB but is too valuable to leave on the sideline on offense. Mark Jones and Xavier Harmon will complement the secondary and DE Jadyn Ramos is long and fast- twitchy up front.
Grand Oaks will go as far as QB Grant Smith will take them. The 6-foot-3 signal-caller is prepped for a big-time, breakout season, but will just need to take what the defense is giving him. Don’t try and do too much, right? TE Ty Rupe is a massive target and hopes to be the safety valve Smith will need. Preston Cloud is the primary WR. Garrett Oeswein will lead the OL, while Tyler Gant is a high- energy DT. Jackson DeGeorge will patrol the secondary. Klein move-in Griffin Tillis will be a great addition on both sides of the ball.
Mark Schmid and the Oak Ridge War Eagles had a banner season in 2023, going 8-4 overall and winning a playoff game. Gone are two University of Georgia defenders Justin Williams and Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, which were tough to deal with for opposing offenses. QB Drayton Urbay will look to find rangy WR James Scott on offense, while Justin Hayes will carry the load on the ground. The War Eagles will need to outscore people to stay in games. The defense will look drastically different with Jayden Canady and Caleb Euresti carrying the banner.
Year two of the Kyle Coats- era will see improvement at College Park. The Cavs are vibing with the young and energetic coach, but all eyes will be on junior QB Rodrigo Bravo. He’s going to need a big year, along with RB Jayden Ogoli, who has size and ability. The OL will need for Cole Cook and Brock Menzie to step up in the trenches along with counterpart Terrance Wofford, Rema Nwosa and Jeremiah Johnson on defense. The secondary is solid with Marco Beltran, David Sands and Jordan Styles, who also doubles as a WR. The Cavs will not lack in effort, but will that be enough for a playoff spot?
The New Caney Eagles just missed the postseason under the direction of new coach Mike DeWitt but played a bevy of young players. Now they are ready. QB Hunter Taylor, who threw for over 1,300 yards, will be protected by Brycen Cole up front and will throw to Jacobi Carter. The defense returns six starters to include Aaron Steward and Christian Magana. The Eagles could quickly be back in the conversation for a playoff spot.
Caney Creek went 3-7 and 1-7 in district play. Coach Kendall Hineman will use Darrall Ellis to move the chains and run the clock behind OL Moises Vega. LBs Andre Mendez and TJ Garza will lead the defense. Cleveland went winless in 2024 and will need for young QB Jacob Estrado to lead the way. Jakory Voss will be a nuisance up front on defense.
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PURPLE POWER: Miller flipping script at Willis
“This is the first time this team has been 5-0 in a 6A district,” said Miller. “Knocking off back-to-back playoff teams in Week 1 and 2 of district play and sitting at 3-0 in the district is something this town hasn’t seen in a while, so it’s been exciting.”
So what’s been the secret sauce to Willis’ hot start in year two?
“The biggest piece that was missing from last year to this year was having a full offseason period,” he said. “Building a program and a culture that does things the way we do things takes time.”
The offense has been the strength of this Wildkats team this year bringing back a star-studded unit.
“I think the big key is DJ being healthy," Miller said. "Last year he was banged up throughout the season and having him 100-percent has been huge. Bigger than that though, I think was being able to break down concepts on plays for the skill players and offensive lineman this offseason.
“Teaching them why we run these plays and what we are trying to do has made huge strides in our growth this year.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the Wildkats have stepped up year over year and have come out with a chip on their shoulder.
“Defensively, the biggest jump we’ve made is the attitude, giving 100-percent every play," he said. "Our boys are hungry and have that -- sharks in the water mentality.”
Quarterback DJ Lagway (Florida-commit) is having an MVP-caliber season but Miller has been really impressed with some other athletes who have really upped their game.
“Starting defensively, Josiah Stephens is playing like an absolute monster," he said. "Having him make plays up front and getting some big time sacks, it’s been huge for our defense. Also, Brock Perry our middle linebacker has shed some weight and has been effective sideline to sideline hitting with some attitude.”
Miller also mentioned Imauree Holmes (ATH), Jermaine Bishop Jr. (ATH) and Carter Jenkins (DB), who are all playing at a high level right now in the secondary.
Offensively?
“Debraun Hampton is a guy who’s having a breakout year at wide receiver," he said. "The development to his game that he made in the offseason is showing. Jermaine Bishop Jr. as a two-way player has been that spark on offense when we need a big play."
Terri Lawerence (RB), Jalen Mickens (WR) and Daylion Robinson (ATH) have all been having big year’s so far for the Wildkats and have Miller feeling good about the offense.
The undefeated Wildkats and Miller have the Willis community believing and the Friday Night Light vibes are spreading throughout the town and school.
“The beauty of being in a one-horse town is that everybody feeds off each other, good or bad,” Miller said. “With the success all the programs are having right now at Willis, it trickles down to everyone. Everybody is drinking the same kool-aid right now.”