Quick take
WILLIS — DJ Lagway ran for three touchdowns and threw one TD pass in the first half as Willis cruised to a 63-14 victory over Conroe in a District 13-6A game Friday night at Yates Stadium.
Willis, the Chronicle’s No. 16 team in the 6A poll, improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2016. The Wildkats handed Conroe, which fell to 3-1, its first loss of the season.
Conroe’s defense, which had allowed 16 points and 162.3 yards per game entering the contest, allowed more points Friday than in the first three games combined.
“We had a really good game. I feel like we left some things out offensively but man my guys around me are just amazing,” Lagway said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without those guys, they’re the ones that keep it going so I’m just thankful and grateful for them.”
Highlights
The Wildkats scored on their first possession with a four-play drive after a 7-yard punt from the Tigers. Lagway punched it in from 1 yard out with 9:28 left in the opening quarter. The score was set up by DeBraun Hampton’s deep catch.
Lagway was soon picked off by Mitch Melton in the red zone, but the Wildkats’ defense came up with a pick of their own as the Willis offense moved into the red zone following a personal foul.
Lagway shortly found the end zone for the second time on another keeper, this time from 8 yards out to extend the lead, 14-0. He did so again to start the second quarter, scoring on a 1-yard keeper on fourth-and-goal to make it 21-0.
The Tigers got on the board, 21-7, on Christian Nunley’s short pass to Zackary Allen with 7:37 remaining in the first half. Willis then converted on fourth-and-12 to set up Lagway’s short touchdown pass to Jalen Mickens to make it 28-7 at the half.
The Wildkats quickly made it 35-7 to begin the second half on Lagway’s 23-yard pass to Hampton.
After Conroe cut the deficit to 21 points on Nic Medina’s short run, Jermaine Bishop Jr. picked up a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter, a 60-yard rush and a 17-yard rush, extending the lead to 49-14.
Cannon Roach, who scored in the fourth quarter via a pass play, replaced Lagway late in the game. Jeremiah Thomas finished the scoring with a 16-yard run.
What it means
Willis improved to 2-2 in District 13-6A against Conroe and avenged last year’s 28-24 loss.
Both teams were 3-0 entering the second round of district play, Willis for the first time since 2016 and Conroe for the first time in a decade. The Tigers and Wildkats were both unbeaten through three games for the first time since 1971.
Quotable
“I thought our guys played great tonight. They came out excited, they were on fire,” Willis coach Trent Miller said. “Hats off to coach (Cedric) Hardeman and the Conroe Tigers over there, they have a tremendous defense. Offense had some hiccups tonight, but I couldn’t be more proud of our kids, they fought all four quarters. I went into halftime, we had a 28-7 lead, and I was probably the most heated I’ve ever been with a 21-point lead at halftime just because a few execution deals, but the boys played well, they responded.”
Game balls
Lagway accounted for six total touchdowns, three on the ground and three passing. The 5-star recruit and Florida commit had thrown for 967 yards (322.3 per game) and 14 touchdowns entering Week 4.
“DJ’s a special player, he plays every week with a chip on his shoulder,” Miller said. “He’s an exceptional talent, a better human being than he’ll ever be as a football player. I’m so proud of him and I’m fortunate that he plays for the Willis Wildkats.”
Up next
Willis will visit Grand Oaks in district play at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22. Conroe will host The Woodlands in district action at 7 p.m. on Sept. 23.
Willis 63, Conroe 14
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | FINAL | |
| Conroe | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Willis | 14 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 63 |
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
WHS: DJ Lagway 1 run (kick), 9:28.
WHS: DJ Lagway 8 run (kick), 2:05.
Second Quarter
WHS: DJ Lagway 1 run (kick), 10:03.
CHS: Zachary Allen 10 pass from Christian Nunley (kick), 7:37.
WHS: Jalen Mickens 5 pass from DJ Lagway (kick), 6:11.
Third Quarter
WHS: DeBraun Hampton 23 pass from DJ Lagway (kick), 10:16.
CHS: Nick Medina 1 run (kick), 3:57.
WHS: Jermaine Bishop 60 run (kick), 3:46.
WHS: Jermaine Bishop 17 run (kick), :42.
Fourth Quarter
WHS: Cannon Roach 9 pass from DJ Lagway (kick), 7:47.
WHS: Jeremiah Thomas 16 run (kick), 3:18.
