Week 10 of Texas High School Football is here. I went to The Woodlands Highlanders vs The Willis Wildcats game. Initially, this game was scheduled for Thursday, but because of lightning, it was delayed to Saturday, October 28, 2023. Despite the delay, this was a fantastic game these two teams have the two best quarterbacks in the city. It was a powerful offensive showdown.
Woodland’s kickoff to Willis. Woodlands forced Willis to a three and out. Woodlands has possession of the ball. Woodlands had a tremendous 1st drive. Quarterback #7 Mabrey Matteur rushed in for the 1st touchdown of the game. Willis got the ball back, but surprisingly, the top quarterback in the nation, #2 DJ Lagway, threw an interception, giving Woodlands back possession.
However, not long after Willis’ cornerback #9 A’mauree Holmes causes a fumble, and #13 Carter Jenkins recovers it for The Wildkats. Willis finally got a great drive going, getting near the endzone, but Woodland’s defense held them to 4th down, and Willis kicked a field goal to get on the board. Willis got another fumble recovery, getting back possession of the ball, but couldn’t score again, getting a turnover on downs. The 1st quarter, they ended with a score of 7-3.
Willis got a turnover on downs, and on the 1st play, DJ takes the QB draw to the endzone for Willis’ 1st touchdown of the game. Woodlands had a great drive. Mabrey found wide receiver #2 Shane Walker for a reception touchdown. Willis receives the kickoff, lands at the 28-yard line, and on the 1st play again, DJ does another QB draw and rushes it in for a 72-yard touchdown. The Woodlands offense had another great drive getting to the 1-yard line, and Mabrey rushed it in himself for his 2nd rushing touchdown.
Willis, within a couple of plays, DJ connected to #7 Jermaine Bishop he evaded two tackles and ran on the edge of the sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. Willis got another fumble recovery on the kickoff, instantly getting the ball back, and on the 1st play, DJ, under pressure, AGAIN connects with Jermaine for another touchdown. Woodlands finally got back the ball, unfortunately, Mabrey got injured and will be out for the rest of the game. Backup quarterback #10 Patrick Miller will take over and, despite the last-minute change, play efficiently and get Woodlands close enough for a 49-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the half. Willis, despite the lack of time, gets close enough to make a field goal and ends the half with a score of 32-24, with Willis leading.
Willis’s kickoff to Woodlands, they could not get anything going and had to punt it to Willis. Willis is consistent because DJ AGAIN connects with Jermaine for his 3rd touchdown of the game. Woodlands received the kickoff, and through runs plays, Woodlands’ running back Joseph Canola rushed in for a touchdown. Willis, on a long drive, DJ runs the ball on himself again for his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game. With under 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, Woodlands receives the kickoff, and on 4th and 12, Patrick, on a last-ditch effort, connected to wide receiver #0 Quannell Farrakhan Jr for a 41-yard touchdown. The 3rd quarter ended with a score of 46-38.
Woodland’s defense stopped Willis, but just like clockwork, Willis caused another fumble and recovered it. DJ effortlessly threw a short hop pass for a 50-yard touchdown to #11 Jalen Mickens. Woodlands is not letting up. Patrick again connects to Quanell for a touchdown, staying neck and neck with Willis. With about 6 minutes left in the game, Willis got back possession with a failed onside kick they drained to clock to a little under two minutes, and running back #5 Terri Lawrence III rushed it for a 5-yard touchdown. Patrick proved himself as a quarterback within a minute, getting to the 1-yard line and passing to Quanell again for his 3rd touchdown of the game. With 38 seconds left in the game, Woodlands tried their best to get the onside kick for a chance to tie up the game, but could not get it. This ended the game with a final score of 60-52, with Willis coming out victorious during this dogfight.
Wow, what a football game! Both teams fought with everything they had. These two offenses are the best I have ever watched, and DJ is undoubtedly the #1 QB in the nation. DJ completed 31/36 passes for almost 400 yards, scoring 7 touchdowns, 4 in the air, and 3 on the ground. Shoutout to Woodlands backup quarterback Patrick Miller for stepping up and performing well in such an intense game. Patrick threw 3 touchdown passes that kept Woodlands in the game, but hopefully, we will see Mabrey back during the playoffs. This was the Woodland’s last regular season game they have a bye week right before playoffs, and Willis will host The Oak Ridge War Eagles in their last regular season game, and if they win, they will be 10-0 for the 1st time ever.
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