RB Willis leads Lions into postseason
McKinney was 0-5 five weeks ago but punches ticket against Frisco Liberty, 35-14
McKINNEY, Texas -- A fitting end to the resurrection of McKinney's season was a dominating performance by the player who got it turned around in the first place -- running back Damion Willis.
The junior rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries to lead McKinney to a 35-14 win over Frisco Liberty on Friday.
The win clinches a playoff berth for the Lions (4-6 overall, 4-3 in District 9-4A), who will play Highland Park in the Class 4A Division I bi-district round. Five weeks ago, McKinney was 0-5 and giving up 64.2 points per game.
But McKinney head coach Bobby Reyes started handing Willis the ball more, the defense improved, and the Lions won four of their last five games to capture an improbable postseason berth.
"We've grown up defensively," Reyes said. "We have an attitude now."
The formula that rescued the season did the same for McKinney's game against Liberty. The Redhawks (5-5, 4-3) jumped on McKinney's defense early as they scored touchdowns on their first two drives behind their potent running game.
But the Lions didn't give up a single score after a 13-yard touchdown pass from Liberty's Malcom Hill to Brandon Smith gave the Redhawks a 14-7 lead in the second quarter.
Willis did the rest as the Lions scored 28 unanswered. He scored from 5 yards out to tie the score at 14. He carried the load on two long touchdown drives in the second half that ate most of the clock and gave the Lions a comfortable 28-14 lead. Willis' runs accounted for 61 percent of McKinney's offensive plays.
"He's a sweet back is what he is," Reyes said. "He is a very good running back."
Missed opportunities hurt Liberty throughout the game. With the score tied, 14-14, Liberty fumbled on a promising drive that made it deep into McKinney territory.
Trailing by seven midway through the third quarter, Liberty failed to convert on fourth down at the McKinney 12-yard line. A long McKinney touchdown drive followed and put the Redhawks in a 28-14 hole.
On the ensuing Liberty drive, a chop block turned a long first-down run into a drive that went three-and-out. McKinney sealed the win with a time-consuming scoring drive that gave it a 35-14 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Redhawks didn't get a chance to respond to that score. They fumbled the ensuing kickoff.
They will get a chance to respond to a tough loss, however. Liberty clinched its first playoff spot in school history with a win over Frisco Wakeland last week. It faces Rockwall-Heath in the bi-district round.
