Football: Cavaliers Surge in Second Half to Defeat Willis 55-37

College Park erases halftime deficit with 41-point second half at Yates Stadium

WILLIS, TEXAS – Friday, 7:30 p.m.

The College Park Cavaliers overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat the Willis Wildkats 55-37 on Friday night in a crucial district matchup at Yates Stadium. The game carried playoff implications and tested both teams’ stamina and discipline.

For College Park, it became a statement win — a complete team effort featuring a disciplined defense, a balanced offensive attack, and a poised quarterback in junior Camden Hughes who continues to mature into one of the area’s most consistent passers. The Cavaliers erupted for 41 points in the second half, extending their undefeated record to 6–0 and keeping them in the hunt for a district title.

Beltran leads defensive stand against top offensive threat

College Park’s defensive game plan centered around containing Willis’s highly touted star, Jermaine Bishop Jr. Head Coach Kyle Coats made the matchup plain during the week: “Marco on him.

Our best guy on their best guy.” Senior safety Marco Beltran executed that plan.

Beltran recorded nine tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and four pass breakups while shadowing Bishop for most of the night. He also opened the second half with a 65-yard kickoff return that shifted momentum and set up the Cavaliers’ first touchdown after the break. Bishop, who routinely posts multiple touchdowns per game, was limited to one.

Beltran’s performance drew attention from college coaches tracking the game and capped a night in which he was named the team’s defensive player of the game.

Camden Hughes: calm under pressure, quick on the read

Junior quarterback Camden Hughes led a fast-paced, precision-based attack that kept Willis guessing throughout the night. He completed 14 of 16 passes for 226 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions, spreading the ball efficiently among multiple receivers.

What has made Hughes particularly effective this season is his processing speed. He typically works through his progressions in under three seconds — not easy when operating with five viable targets on most snaps. That quick trigger, paired with disciplined footwork, allowed him to find the open man before pressure could collapse the pocket.

Hughes’ timing with his receivers was evident against Willis. He found junior wide receiver Julian Cromartie for a key third-quarter touchdown, hit senior Jordan Styles on crossing concepts, and connected with tight end Brian Snodgrass on red-zone plays that required precision. Coats noted the plan emphasized numbers and leverage: stack and bunch sets to force coverage decisions and let Hughes distribute accordingly.

Notably, Coats said, “After halftime, we scored every single time we had the ball in the second half.”

Julian Cromartie emerging as a national recruit

At 6-foot-3 with a verified 4.4-second 40-yard dash, Julian Cromartie has become one of Texas high school football’s most intriguing junior prospects. He is the son of former NFL first-round pick and Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Julian has developed into the Cavaliers’ top deep threat, able to stretch the field and win contested catches. His third-quarter touchdown against Willis — a leaping grab between defenders — gave College Park its first lead of the night and showcased the size-speed blend that forces safeties to play deeper than they want.

Earlier this month, Florida State University offered Cromartie a scholarship. The Seminoles’ interest is notable given his father’s FSU roots. Recruiters cite Julian’s route discipline, body control, and speed as reasons his profile continues to rise.

Antonio Booker sparks the ground game

Sophomore running back Antonio Booker added balance to the plan. Booker finished with over 80 total yards and two touchdowns — one rushing and one receiving. His 26-yard scoring run in the third quarter extended the lead to 35-24 and signaled that the run game had taken hold.

It was also the first time under Coats that College Park logged more rushing yards than passing yards in a game, a byproduct of steady five- and six-yard gains that wore down the Wildkats’ front. Senior Blake Jones added another rushing touchdown, while junior Keylon Stephens opened the second-half scoring with an 18-yard run.

Snodgrass, Cromartie and Styles anchor the receiving corps

Junior tight end Brian Snodgrass was a consistent red-zone factor and a key blocker throughout. He scored two short rushing touchdowns on direct snaps and added a receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter. Snodgrass’ downfield blocking created creases for Booker and Stephens.

Cromartie’s touchdown was the turning point, while Jordan Styles provided explosive yardage from the slot, including a reverse to the Willis 13 that set up another score. Styles’ versatility continues to give College Park answers against both man and zone looks.

Adjustments at halftime spark 41-point second half

Down 24-14 at the break, the Cavaliers refined their approach. Offensively, they leaned into quick screens and perimeter throws to stress numbers, then shifted to inside and mid-zone runs when Willis widened to defend the flats. Hughes’ sub-three-second reads kept the tempo high and the chains moving.

Defensively, College Park increased pressure on Willis quarterback D.J. Frazier, generating sacks and negative plays. Senior linebacker Bryce Cooper and junior lineman Lucas Richard each recorded sacks, and Cooper’s 31-yard fumble-return touchdown widened the gap late. Field position flipped as Willis was forced into shorter possessions and longer third downs.

Special teams set the tone

Beltran’s 65-yard return to start the second half set up the first touchdown of the comeback. Junior kicker Beckett Cocke remained perfect on PATs and recently drilled a 47-yard field goal in the previous game; senior Lincoln Wilson added three extra points. The coverage units limited big returns and kept Willis in longer fields.

Cavaliers eye upcoming matchup with The Woodlands

Next up, the Cavaliers host Caney Creek for homecoming before turning to their cross-town rivalry with The Woodlands High School on Oct. 17 at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah. That game is widely viewed as a pivotal step in the district race.

Coats reiterated the program’s 24-hour rule to reset after wins and prepare for the next opponent.

Conclusion

Friday’s 55-37 victory over Willis underscored College Park’s depth and poise. Beltran’s defensive clinic, Hughes’ precision and rapid progressions, Booker’s steady ground production, and Cromartie’s rising national profile point to a team that can win in multiple ways. With an undefeated record and momentum building, College Park’s focus now is maintaining discipline through homecoming week and into a highly anticipated meeting with The Woodlands.

The Woodlands Student Center Staff