GAMES
RANKINGS
FALL WRAP: Willis Fall Sports saw Some Bright Spots
FOOTBALL
THE WILDKATS GET POSTSEASON WIN
The Willis Wildkats went 6-6 on the season under the direction of coach Michael Wall, finishing fourth in district play with wins over College Park and Oak Ridge.
The ‘Kats reached the postseason and won a first-round playoff game over Dekaney before falling to State Semifinalist Tomball.
Quarterback DJ Lagway threw for over 1,500 yards, rushed over 700 yards and accounted for 23 scores. He earned a second-team, all-district nod. Zach Rogers was named first-team, all district off of the offensive line and has earned a preferred walk-on spot at Texas A&M.
On defense, Jadarius Brown (Sam Houston signee) was the District’s Utility Player of the Year. David Soriano and Johnny McHenry were first-team linemen, Aiden Collier was a first team linebacker and De’Von Lovelady was a first-team defensive back. Collier was also first team, all-state at linebacker as well.
Second-teamers included offensive lineman Sean Calkin and linebacker Trevor Jones. Tight end Kory Ford, linebacker Macin Connell and DB Jayden Marshman were honorable mentions.
CROSS COUNTRY
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR ‘KATS DISTANCE RUNNERS.
The future looks bright on the cross country landscape as the teams’ best runners were underclassmen.
On the girls’ side, freshman Joselyn Lira had the best finish in the district meet coming in 18th. The boys were paced by sophomore Jonah Beniquez, who finished 33rd.
VOLLEYBALL
YOUTH TO BE SERVED IN 2022.
It was a tough season for the Willis Wildkat volleyball team, playing in one of the toughest districts in the State of Texas. Each playoff eligible team in the district won at least one postseason game.
Coach Megan Storms’ team fought the good fight, but just fell short.
There were some bright spots, however, as Taylor Thomas earned another first-team, all-district nomination. Libero Caroline Woodfill and Georgia Everett were second-teamers. Reece Edmiston and Savannah Paske were honorable mentions. Woodfill and Paske will return next season with hopes of getting the Ladykats in the postseason conversation.
A BIG MOVE: Willis ISD Hires Jason Glenn as Executive Director of Athletics and Fine Arts
BRIAN GREENEY HAS PLENTY OF STORIES TO TELL ABOUT JASON GLENN.
The two worked together at Klein Oak High School when Greeney was then the principal and Glenn had just been brought on to be the head football coach of the Panthers. But this story has nothing to do with football.
In fact, it shows that Glenn, who was hired in January to be the new Executive Director of Athletics and Fine Arts for Willis ISD, is about more than just athletics.
He’s about all kids.
“When he got the job as head football coach at Klein Oak, our color guard had won a National Championship and he was there with the football players to greet our color guard coming back in,” Greeney, the Willis ISD Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching & Learning, said. “All I did was send out a text and Jason Glenn was there because he’s about all kids. I think that’s what fits in with us here in Willis because we’re about all students.
“It’s not just athletics that will benefit from having Jason. The fact that he has such a passion for fine arts is really going to help move our program to be the top in the State of Texas. We’re excited to have him. He’s a great guy.”
Glenn graduated from Nimitz High School, went on to play at Texas A&M and then spent six seasons in the NFL, four of which came with the New York Jets.
After his playing career was over, Glenn got into coaching. His coaching career included stops as the head coach of Houston Chavez in 2011 and then Klein Oak from 2017-2020.
Following the 2020 season, Glenn made his first move into an administrative role as the Director of Student Outreach for Klein ISD. After taking a year off, Glenn is back in the game with Willis ISD.
“I’m excited to be back and I’m excited to be in Willis,” Glenn said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to get with Coach Wall and the rest of these guys to build this up to a championship-type atmosphere.”
The Executive Director of Athletics & Fine Arts role that Glenn has been hired for is a brand-new position to the booming district.
For Willis ISD Superintendent Tim Harkrider, it was a role that he felt was needed with the growth of the community.
“The biggest piece of it was, I didn’t need a title and a body, I needed the right person,” Harkrider said. “We started doing some homework and having some conversations with Jason [Glenn] and obviously the familiarity with Greeney working with Jason was huge. After I met him the first time, I thought he would be a great fit here in the Willis community.”
For Glenn, he is fully on the job and will continue to get to know the Willis ISD community over the coming months.
“I want to talk to coaches, fine art directors and fine art teachers. I’m just here to support them in any way they need me,” Glenn said. “I’m coming off the bench right now. They’re the starters. Wherever they need me to plug in and play, that’s what I’m here for right now.”