Week two started on a rainy Thursday night from Klein Memorial Stadium, with a big 6A matchup between the Willis Wildkats and the Klein Collins Tigers. If week two is any indication, the Wildkats will be just fine in the post-DJ Lagway era.
Willis, coming off an undefeated regular season and a regional semi-final berth, is looking to claim back-to-back district titles in a strong district 13-6A. That journey started strongly in week one, as the Wildkats took down Aldine Davis 30-23.
Klein Collins, coming off of their eighth district title in nine seasons, is once again the favorite to claim the 15-6A title. While that is the case, the Tigers hit a speed bump in week one, as they took a 35-28 loss on the road, against 5A power College Station.
Willis at Klein Collins Game Recap
Willis received the ball to start the game and quickly got the scoring going. Jack Emerson led a six-play drive, all of them being through the air, culminating with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Bishop Jr over the middle to give Willis a 7-0 lead.
On just the second play of the Klein Collins opening drive, Willis’ Christian Hall forced the ball out on a Ka’jaun Gathers run, and Jacorion Hatchett would recover it. That would give the Wildkats great field position, and they would take advantage, as Daylion Robinson would cap off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, giving Willis a 14-0 lead.
Klein Collins finally started to get something going late in the first quarter, moving the ball into Willis territory. Still, another fumble would end the drive, as Willis’ Earl Melebeck recovered it. That turnover would once again turn into points for the Wildkats, as Jack Emerson would spread the ball around the next five plays, leading to a four-yard touchdown run by Terri Lawrence III to give Willis a 21-0 lead.
The Tigers got on the board midway through the 2nd quarter, as Braydon Schoggin took the ball up the middle for a 12-yard touchdown run, to cap an 11-play drive and cut the deficit to 21-7. The momentum for Klein Collins did not last long, as just four plays later, Jermaine Bishop Jr beat the defensive backs, and Emerson would find him wide open downfield for a 58-yard touchdown. Willis went into halftime up 28-7.
Second Half
The second half was not filled with fireworks offensively from either side, but there were more self-inflicted wounds by the Klein Collins offense. On their opening drive, they would once again put the ball on the turf, recovered for a second time by Earl Melebeck. The Tiger’s fourth turnover of the game led to a 26-yard field goal by Justin Willis, as the Wildkats lead extended to 31-7.
The score would stay there until deep into the 4th quarter, when a Klein Collins punt was snapped high and into the endzone, being downed for a fsafety. Following the safety, the kickoff would find the hands of Jermaine Bishop Jr, who would take it 65 yards to the endzone to put a stamp on the game.
Willis makes a massive statement with a 40-7 win.
Player Stats
Willis Stats
QB Jack Emerson (SR): 23/30, 344 yds, 2 TDs, 5 carries, 20 yds
RB Terri Lawrence III (SR): 5 carries, 45 yds, TD
RB Daylion Robinson (SR): 4 carries, 0 yds, TD, 6 catches, 41 yds
WR/DB Jermaine Bishop Jr. (JR): 4 catches, 149 yds, 2 TDs, 1 carry, -1 yds, KO Return TD
WR Jalen Mickens (SR) (Louisiana Tech Commit): 7 catches, 78 yds
WR Romel Stevens (SR): 3 catches, 57 yds
DB Earl Melebeck (SR): 2 FR, INT
DB DJ Allen (SR): Punt Block, Deflection
LB Kelan Harris (SR): 2 TFLs
Klein Collins Stats
QB Braydon Schoggin (JR): 6/13, 54 yds, Int, 12 carries, 61 yds, TD, fumble
RB Ka’Jaun Gathers (SR): 13 carries, 57 yds, 2 fumbles, 1 catch, 5 yds
RB/DB Ty’Drick Finley (JR): 10 carries, 60 yds
WR Carlton Hayden (SR): 4 catches, 26 yds
DB Larry Hankton III (SR): 2 TFLs
DB Jarrod Penright (SR): TFL, deflection
Next Week
Willis will welcome Caney Creek to Yates Stadium, as they look to start district play off with a resounding victory, after winning their last two matchups with the Panthers by a combined score of 118-9. Klein Collins will begin district play next week with a matchup against Tomball, as they try to make it five wins in five years against the Cougars.
