The crowd is full of anticipation and emotion. It’s the first time they have seen their beloved team this year. As the sun begins to set and the stadium lights begin to hum, the Wildkats come out of their hibernation, ready to dominate the field because this year because they have something to prove. Willis is not the same as it has once been and only they can show that. 

The Willis Wildkat football team took on the Bryan Rudder Rangers last Friday for their season opener and had a decisive victory. This year, under the new leadership of head coach, Trent Miller, the Wildkats knew their win had to be earned. In proper blow-out fashion, Willis won 73-14. The team is on the cusp of something great and the fans are all over it. 

“I can feel it, the team was electrifying to watch and I know we are playoff bound,” senior Jackson Leggett said. “I cannot wait to watch the endless athletic ability showcased on the field every Friday night. The student section is here and we’re gonna be turning up the energy this year.”

New head coach Trent Miller’s first game as a Wildkat was a huge success and it’s largely due to his ability to start this culture change. Many players are feeling and rising to his expectations. 

“This year is drastically different from last year, the team mentality is better and we were focused,” junior Caleb Fletcher said. “We were picked to lose by three and we wanted to prove that wrong. Coming off this big win, I think we’re heading towards a good season because there seem to be no weak links. We are a well rounded team with a common mindset, and that mindset is winning.” 

Junior quarterback, D.J. Lagway had an impressive showing, coming out of the game with 356 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, 63 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, earning him Texas high school player of the week from Texas Football Life.

“With Lagway, we’re going to be better than 6-6,” junior football player Isaac Stafford said.

A new team culture has been brewing for sometime now as the coaches plot for the success of their team. 

“We have been working hard since April on changing the culture and improving our on the field performance,” assistant coach Adam Schwarz said. “The improvement in both areas were evident throughout the game last Friday. We look forward to continue our success week after week this season, #4thedub.”