The Willis Wildkats will head out to challenge The Woodlands Highlanders at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams are still undefeated after three-games, but that won't be the case come Thursday.
Last Friday, Willis took their contest at home with ease, bagging a 66-16 victory over Caney Creek. Given the Wildkats' advantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 35th, while the Panthers are ranked 690th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Jack Emerson had an outrageously good game as he threw for 206 yards and six touchdowns while completing 82.4% of his passes, and also rushed for 30 yards. Terri Lawrence was another key player, gaining 111 total yards and two touchdowns.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Willis was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 262 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in October of 2023.
Willis' defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged two passes before it was all said and done. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Jermaine Bishop Jr.
Meanwhile, everything came up roses for The Woodlands on the road against Grand Oaks on Friday as the squad secured a 42-14 win. That's two games straight that the Highlanders have won by exactly 28 points.
Willis pushed their record up to 3-0 with that victory, which was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season. As for The Woodlands, their record is now 3-0.
Willis beat The Woodlands 60-52 in their previous meeting back in October of 2023. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was The Woodlands' Mabrey Mettauer, who rushed for 23 yards and two touchdowns, and also threw for 177 yards and a touchdown while completing 84.6% of his passes. Now that he won't be playing on Thursday, will it be easier for Willis to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
