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PURPLE POWER: Miller flipping script at Willis
Since moving over from Spring High School, head coach Trent Miller has flipped the script at Willis, turning the Wildkats into a juggernaut team in year two.
With DJ Lagway running Miller’s electric offensive scheme and a defense that has stepped up from last year, the Wildkats are sitting at 5-0, tied for first in district and their best start since 2016.
“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.”
THE CAROUSEL: Coaching movement changing cultures across SE Texas
The coaching carousel in the Greater Houston and Southeast Texas areas has been spinning somewhat under the radar.
In case you missed it, here are some of the biggest storylines.
PEARLAND GETS IT STARTED
When Ricky Tullos took the Bryan High School job, who knew the how the dominos would fall. Follow me on this. Tullos goes to Bryan and defending State Champ coach BJ Gotte of Katy Paetow takes over the Pearland program. Denton Ryan OC Lonnie Teague gets the Paetow job and brings over David Hicks from Allen as an associate head coach. He brings over with him his son David Hicks Jr., who is the No. 1 player on Texas for the 2023 class.
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MILLER SPRNGS TO WILLIS
Trent Miller built a power over the past few seasons at Spring High with his explosive offense. Miller has taken the Willis Wildkat job after the departure of coach Mike Wall. He will have super sophomore QB DJ Lagway to work with for the next two seasons.
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YOUNG JOSEPH GETS MASSIVE JOB
If you have never been to Port Neches-Groves and seen a game at the Reservation, you are missing out. PNG’s Brett Faircloth took the Sulphur Springs job and in comes a familiar name to all of Texas – Jeff Joseph. Jeff is the son of legendary Katy coach Gary Joseph. Jeff was at Southlake Carroll as the special teams coordinator last year.
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MOVEMENT DOWN SOUTH
Texas City coach Leland Surovik moves to the AD spot leaving the Stings job open for now. Blake Ryder takes over at Santa Fe, Kevin Berneathy of Dobie takes the La Porte job, Pasadena Dobie hires Pasadena Rayburn HC Demon Stafford and Brazoswood Danny Youngs leaves to Brenham as Joe Dale Cary takes over the Bucs.
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MOVING ON UP
Coaches are always looking to move up the coaching ladder. Here are some interesting moves. Ramon ChinYoung leaves Willowridge to be a Quality Control coach for the Denver Broncos... Goose Creek-Memorial’s Shannon Carter takes an Abilene Christian assistant job and interim Daniel Ragsdale takes over Patriot Nation… Summer Creek OC Cornelius Harmon gets the Nimitz HC job… Westbury HC Darrel Colbert takes over at Class 6A Beaumont United… Atascocita DC Jacody Coleman is hired as the Dallas Skyline HC… CE King HC Derek Fitzhenry moves to the AD spot and George Young is now the HC… Huffman HC and AD Mike McEachern takes over as the AD at Pflugerville… Hightower assistant Will Blaylock was hired as HC of Lubbock Estacado…Manvel OC Kendrick Crumedy takes over as Jasper’s HC
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SAYING GOODBYE
Legendary coach Cornel Thompson of West Orange-Stark, who led the ‘Stangs to two State titles, has retired… After 19 seasons, John Bolfing hangs up the whistle at Montgomery.