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  • Greg Wille
    • Sep 10, 2021
    • 5 min read

WEEK 3 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Belton aims to respond; Lake Belton, Academy eye 3-0 marks

By GREG WILLE


BELTON – After absorbing a 35-0 loss to a surging Round Rock squad in their home opener last Friday, the Belton Tigers aim to bounce back and finish non-district play with a winning record when they host Pflugerville Hendrickson at 7:30 tonight at Tiger Field.

Belton (1-1) produced plenty of offense in its season-opening 35-31 comeback win at Georgetown two weeks ago, but Round Rock’s sturdy defense limited the Tigers to 86 total yards – 51 passing by sophomore quarterback Ty Brown and 35 rushing – and Belton also committed three turnovers.

The Belton defense couldn’t keep up with the Dragons in the first half as they rolled to a 35-0 halftime lead, with quarterback Mason Cochran rushing for three touchdowns and Trayvian McCoy-Gay running for 152 yards and a TD overall.

Coach Brett Sniffin’s Tigers played much better on defense in the second half, shutting out Round Rock.

Through two games, junior linebacker Donovan Thompson leads Belton with 18 tackles, senior safety Aaron Bain has 16 stops and senior cornerback Connor Whitman has grabbed two interceptions.

The Tigers will get their open date next week before they begin their seven-game District 12-6A schedule Sept. 24 at Copperas Cove.

Meanwhile, Class 5A Division I Hendrickson (0-2) seeks to break into the win column before its begins district action in two weeks against Pflugerville Weiss. The Hawks lost their season opener 35-14 to Cibolo Steele, then were edged 22-17 by Killeen a week ago.


After first varsity road win, Lake Belton aims

for 3-0 start as Broncos travel to 2-0 Poteet

Lake Belton achieved another first for its second-year program when the Broncos last Friday gained their first road win on the varsity level by defeating Class 5A Division I Fort Worth Arlington Heights 26-14.

That came one week after Lake Belton notched its first varsity victory, 42-21 over 4A D-II Mexia at Belton’s Tiger Field.

Coach Brian Cope’s Lake Belton team will try to make it a 3-0 start this season when the Broncos hit the road again to challenge the 2-0 Poteet Aggies at 7:30 tonight.

Lake Belton allowed 224 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Arlington Heights running back Brian Furch but also collected two key turnovers and pitched a fourth-quarter shutout to earn the victory.

The Broncos got 256 passing yards and one touchdown from junior quarterback Connor Crews and 95 rushing yards and two TDs from junior D’Arius Wilkerson.

Sophomore wide receiver Micah Hudson has been a dynamic weapon for Lake Belton’s offense, catching 16 passes for 267 yards and two TDs. On defense, junior safety Javeon Wilcox paces the Broncos with 21 tackles.

Lake Belton’s defense will be tested by the prolific offense of 3A Division I Poteet, an 8-3 playoff team in 2020. Senior Ernest Davila has rushed for 338 yards and five touchdowns, while junior quarterback Alexander Lockamy has passed for 253 yards and four TDs. The Aggies ripped Crystal City 55-7 last week.

The Broncos take on another 3A Division I opponent next Friday when they host Cameron Yoe at Tiger Field.


After close loss at state-ranked Grandview,

Salado shoots to bounce back at Stephenville

SALADO – The Salado Eagles nearly pulled off a statement-making win last Friday before Class 3A Division I No. 4-ranked Grandview managed to secure a 32-28 victory.

Coach Alan Haire’s Salado squad faces another big challenge when the 4A Division II Eagles (1-1) travel to Tarleton State’s Memorial Stadium to take on 4A D-I Stephenville (2-0) at 7:30 tonight. Haire played college football at Tarleton State.

The Yellow Jackets have gotten off to an impressive start, beating Sweetwater 51-13 and Everman 38-14. Junior quarterback Ryder Lambert has passed for 535 yards and five touchdowns and is one of three 100-yard rushers for Stephenville.

Salado’s Slot-T offense was plenty productive at Grandview, rushing for 304 yards – senior Aidan Wilson had 151 and junior Caden Strickland had 111 with a TD – and getting 124 passing yards and two TDs (both to junior Seth Reavis) from senior quarterback Hutton Haire.

However, an Eagles defense that shut out Troy in the season opener couldn’t withstand the Zebras’ balanced attack quite well enough to produce a Salado victory.

Four Salado defenders have made 20-plus tackles: Nic Bates, Josh Huckabee, Nolan Miller and Braydon Sumners.

Last year’s Salado-Stephenville game was a shootout and a tale of two halves. The visiting Yellow Jackets raced out to a 31-19 halftime lead, but the Eagles dominated the second half 42-14 to earn a 61-45 victory.

Salado has two more non-district games after tonight and doesn’t begin district competition until Oct. 8 at Gatesville.


Academy travels to Groesbeck in

collision of high-scoring 2-0 teams

LITTLE RIVER-ACADEMY – One year ago, Groesbeck came to Academy having beaten its first two opponents by a combined score of 92-20. However, the Goats’ momentum stopped abruptly as the unbeaten Bumblebees dominated them 45-0 at John Glover Stadium.

This year, Groesbeck is off to another 2-0 start with wins of 57-14 over Mildred and 69-10 against Rice. So as the Goats prepare to host Academy (2-0) at 7:30 tonight, what remains to be seen is whether they’ll be able to handle the Bees’ attack in better fashion this time around.

Academy hits the road for the first time this season after beating rival Rogers 38-28 in the opener and controlling Clifton 35-7 a week ago. The Bees are 6-0 in non-district games with second-year head coach Chris Lancaster.

Academy sophomore quarterback Kasey Mraz has passed for 434 yards and six touchdowns without any interceptions. Junior receiver Scout Brazeal (11 catches, 280 yards) caught three touchdown passes from Mraz against Clifton, and senior Darion Franklin has scored four touchdowns.

Groesbeck’s potent offense is spearheaded by dual-threat junior quarterback Allen Lewis, who had to leave during the first half of last year’s game at Academy after taking a hit to the helmet.

Six players have made at least 14 tackles for the Bees’ defense: Brazeal, Blake Bundy, Franklin, Clayton Lawson, John Tomasek and Lane Ward.

Academy next week travels to Lago Vista – which it beat 13-0 last year – before the Bees begin District 11-3A Division I action Sept. 24 at home against defending champion Lorena.


Rogers seeks to build on San Saba blowout

in road challenge against Peacock, Whitney

ROGERS – The Rogers Eagles bounced back from their season-opening 38-28 loss at rival Academy by rolling over the San Saba Armadillos 46-14 a week ago at Merk Field.

Coach Charlie Roten and Rogers (1-1) will aim to make it a two-game winning streak when they hit the road to play Whitney (1-1) at 7:30 tonight. Host Rogers dominated Whitney 47-12 a year ago.

The Wildcats scored a 31-6 road victory at Robinson a week ago. Whitney’s offense features a productive triggerman in senior quarterback Garrett Peacock, who’s passed for 411 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 203 yards and one TD.

Rogers rolled past San Saba last week as senior running back Ivan Lopez rushed for two touchdowns for the second straight week and senior quarterback Riley Dolgener threw touchdown passes of 19 yards to Jordan Werner and 75 yards to Zach Davis. Dolgener passed for 190 yards on only seven completions.

Jackson Landeros made an interception for a Rogers defense that allowed just 196 total yards against San Saba.

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  • Greg Wille
    • Sep 9, 2021
    • 9 min read

CRUCIAL MOMENT: Frustrated by start, Stewart, Temple aim to respond vs. Hutto in non-district finale


ENERGY BOOSTER: Temple junior defensive back Naeten Mitchell reacts after making an interception early in the first quarter to set up a touchdown during the Wildcats' 27-14 home loss to Magnolia West last Friday at Wildcat Stadium. After consecutive home defeats against No. 1-ranked Austin Westlake and Magnolia West, Mitchell and Temple (0-2) will seek to earn their first victory when they host the Hutto Hippos (1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wildcat Stadium in the final non-district game for both teams. (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)




By GREG WILLE


One sequence of events from Temple’s 27-14 home loss to Magnolia West last Friday night serves to encapsulate the Wildcats’ 0-2 start to this football season.

A Temple punt pinned the Mustangs at their 10-yard line midway through the third quarter, but Magnolia West’s physical offense methodically marched 90 yards on 17 plays in more than 7 minutes – converting two third-and-1 situations and a fourth-and-2 – against the Wildcats’ tiring defense to score its fourth rushing touchdown for a 27-7 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Temple responded with senior Samari Howard’s 67-yard touchdown reception from sophomore quarterback Reese Rumfield to get within 27-14.

Although the quick-strike TD aided the Wildcats’ comeback effort, the rub was that it left almost no time for their fatigued defenders to recover on the bench and get updated instructions from Dexter Knox, their exasperated coordinator.

“First thing out of Knox’s mouth was, ‘Are you kidding me?! They just scored?! I want them to score, but I can’t even make an adjustment!” Temple head coach Scott Stewart recalled Wednesday morning, summoning some humor out of a fast-paced scenario that was anything but funny as it unfolded in real time.

Now in his sixth season as Temple’s head coach, Stewart said it reminded him of his two seasons (2014-15) as defensive coordinator for the offensive-minded Mike Spradlin, then the Wildcats’ head coach.

“That was my life with Spradlin when we’d get into those shootouts,” Stewart said.

Temple proceeded to recover a fumble deep in Magnolia West territory on the next offensive snap, but the Wildcats’ offense sputtered and failed to take advantage of that gift – among other missed opportunities – before the Mustangs drained the clock to send Temple to its first 0-2 start since 2011.

“It’s stuff we work on and stuff we talk about,” Stewart said. “Any opportunity where we had a chance to flip the momentum the other night, we didn’t take advantage of it or we couldn’t take advantage of it, whatever the reason was.”

A dearth of production and consistency on offense has led to a faltering, exhausted defense in the Wildcats’ two home games – a season-opening 54-13 loss to top-ranked powerhouse Austin Westlake and the 13-point setback against Magnolia West, whose Mustangs of former Temple offensive coordinator Ben McGehee compiled three touchdown drives of 90-plus yards.

So as Temple prepares to host the Hutto Hippos (1-1) in both teams’ non-district finale at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wildcat Stadium, Stewart and his team know that something must change – quickly – for the Wildcats to stop their frustrating slide and carry positive momentum into their District 12-6A opener Sept. 24 at Bryan.

“We just need to win. We’ve got to win. We’ve got (an open date) next week after this, so we don’t want to sit a week where we have a taste of a loss just sitting there,” said Temple senior wide receiver Devan Williams, whose 3-yard reception against Magnolia West is one of only two touchdowns by the Wildcats’ starting offense this season. “We go in expecting to win every game, but no matter the outcome, we know we can improve and there’s a lot of things we can learn as a team.”

Stewart understands that everyone connected to Temple's football program – players, coaches and fans – is frustrated by the team’s difficult start, but he wants to see those feelings channeled into a better and more focused all-around effort and performance by the Wildcats against a Hutto squad that won 27-14 at Waco a week ago.

“You see frustration. We talked a long time on Saturday about that, like how you handle this is going to determine where this goes from here, because it can get worse," Stewart said. "Everybody’s like, ‘It can’t get no worse.’ Oh yeah, it can. I talked to our captains and our leadership council. The way you stop the bleeding is by being under control.

“Samari’s a guy who’s very emotional, but what I like about him is he’s not emotional with, ‘Y’all suck. You’re not doing your job.’ He gets emotional like, ‘Let’s go. We are better than this.’ You see some of that. It’s easier to teach ‘whoa’ than ‘giddy-up,’ I promise you that.”

In Stewart’s mind, it’s a fairly straightforward situation. Temple’s inconsistent offense that has only one returning starter on the line must create more sustained drives – and points – to prevent a Wildcats defense that lacks the desired depth from becoming depleted by spending too much time on the field.

“What you’re seeing from our offense is if you look at our 1s, we’re averaging seven points a game, so it’s going to be hard-rock mining,” Stewart said. “We played 91 plays on defense against Westlake and we played 86 plays on defense against Magnolia West. That’s half a season and we’ve done it in two games. We played 42 plays on offense (against Magnolia West). That is a catastrophic recipe.

“When you panic, there’s not even an opportunity for it to get better,” he added. “I think if we start moving the ball, it fixes a lot of those problems, because now instead of 40 (offensive plays) and 80 (defensive plays), you’re playing 60 and 60 and I think everybody’s more into it.”


EXPECTING MORE: After beginning the season with home losses to top-ranked Austin Westlake and Magnolia West, Temple sixth-year head coach Scott Stewart said he wants to see the Wildcats (0-2) – whose offensive struggles have led to their defense getting overworked and fatigued – play consistently harder and smarter and take better advantage of opportunities in their non-district finale against Hutto (1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wildcat Stadium. "That's the biggest concern I've probably had, is I don't see kids playing as hard as they can consistently," Stewart said. "If that doesn't change, then I don't deserve to stay here." (Photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)



Senior running back Howard has rushed for 233 yards and Temple has run for a respectable 342 overall, but 80 of those came on a late-game touchdown by backup running back Jalen Robinson against Westlake’s defensive reserves.

With the Wildcats unable to pose a major rushing threat other than reigning 12-6A Co-MVP Howard, opposing defenses have dropped many more players into coverage to make things more complicated for Rumfield. The first-year starting quarterback has completed 13 of 35 passes (37.1 percent) for 176 yards, including two TDs and two interceptions against Magnolia West.

Howard has replaced Rumfield at QB at various times in the second halves of both games, although a poorly executed running play on fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter against Magnolia West prevented the Wildcats from cutting their deficit to one touchdown.

“I want to see our offense pick up. We knew coming in that the question marks were a brand-new offensive line and a 15-year-old quarterback. All six of those positions are very inconsistent right now,” Stewart said. “Good defensive coordinators are going to change up looks on you and roll (coverages) around. We’ve got to get something else going to try to spark something. We’ve got to try to attack down the field more. (But) it’s a moot point if you can’t run the football against light (defensive) boxes.”

Temple’s top returning receiver from last season’s 10-2 district championship team is first-team all-district performer Mikal Harrison-Pilot, but the talented junior hasn’t yet caught a pass. The four-star recruit was slowed by a hip flexor injury against Westlake, then played almost exclusively on defense against Magnolia West, making 10 tackles at safety despite still being hindered. Stewart said Harrison-Pilot is having more trouble running straight ahead than laterally and that he’s been “limited at best in practice.”

Regarding a Temple defense that’s allowed 437 yards on the ground and 346 through the air, Stewart said it’s obviously a concern that the Wildcats aren’t winning enough physical battles and are wearing down because of playing too many snaps.

“Our defensive line got pushed around a little bit at times (vs. Magnoplia West). That’s a new one for me. It’s been a while since we’ve been pushed around by anybody. I know everyone’s going to be bigger than we are, and I understand physics, but that hasn’t been a problem (until this season),” Stewart said. “I’m trying to teach a dog how to bite. And sometimes, not all of them will bite. And we’re going to get pushed around until they start biting.”

Stewart added that backup linemen such as juniors Ka’Morion Carter and Aiden Malsbary and perhaps a junior varsity call-up will be added to the rotation in an effort to prevent tackles Tommy Torres and Ayden Brown and ends Eric Shorter and Jaylon Jackson from playing too many snaps this early in the season.

“We can’t play 80 (defensive) plays a game and think that we’re going to stay healthy, at all, with anybody. We’re banged up a little bit, and that comes with playing 170 (defensive) plays in two weeks,” said Stewart, who got a 20-tackle performance from junior middle linebacker and reigning 12-6A Defensive MVP Taurean York last week. “I don’t foresee that keeping anybody out, but we’re going to have to be very conscientious of rolling guys in and out.

“That’s what these (non-district) games are for, is to find out who can play and who can’t. I probably haven’t done a good job of that in the last two weeks. It’s hard for me to throw guys in there if you don’t completely trust them, but these games are the ones where you do that in so that you do (develop trust). There’s been a little frustration brewing with guys not playing as much as they want. So I had a talk with them about doing my job better and about them doing their job better. The way they do their job better is they practice (better).”

As Temple strives to avoid a third consecutive home loss to begin the season, it takes on a Hutto team that got hammered 59-11 by College Station – ranked No. 2 in Class 5A Division I – in the season opener but rebounded by winning 27-14 at Waco last week.

The Hippos’ rough start against College Station did not surprise Stewart, whose visiting Wildcats were outplayed by the athletic, aggressive Cougars in a scrimmage three weeks ago.

“College Station kind of out-physicaled them at times and Hutto missed some opportunities, but I don’t think that’s indicative of Hutto being a bad football team,” Stewart said. “I think College Station is special. They got after our tail; of course, everybody has.

“I turned on the film of Waco and Waco is pretty dang athletic, and Hutto moved the ball on them. Hutto is very athletic at the skill positions, and they’re good up front. They’ve got big offensive linemen – 6-foot-3, 6-foot-5. They're big, lean kids.”

Hutto’s primary offensive weapon is 5-10, 190-pound junior running back Jalon Banks (276 rushing yards), who was limited to 49 yards by College Station's sturdy defense but erupted for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries against Waco.

Senior quarterback Grayson Doggett is 30-for-51 passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Jairiez Lambert (eight catches, 92 yards) and junior Gary Choice (11 receptions, 89 yards, two TDs) give Doggett two appealing targets.

“Banks tries to pop it if he can get to that second level, and if you hit him at 5 yards he’s going to try to get 7,” Stewart said. “They run enough quarterback read game to keep you honest. (Doggett) is pretty efficient and likes to get it down the field, and they’ve got two receivers who can absolutely blaze.”

Hutto’s highly aggressive 3-4 defense is paced by junior linebackers Brody Bujnoch (6-3, 225) and Jaylen Parkinson (6-0, 190).

“They pin their ears back and come on with it. You’ve got to get a body on a body,” Stewart said of the Hippos. “Their defensive linemen are 250 to 260 pounds, and the secondary is very, very aggressive. They’ve got a kid who comes off the roof and tries to knock the teeth out of the slot receiver. He disrupts the route so much that it throws off the timing.”

Temple originally was scheduled to host Hutto last year and play the Hippos on the road this season, but factors relating to the COVID-19 pandemic nixed their 2020 meeting. Temple replaced Hutto with Arlington Martin, which dealt the host Wildcats their only regular-season loss. Hutto encountered delays with renovations to its stadium this summer, necessitating the Temple game’s move to Wildcat Stadium.

Hutto made six consecutive playoff trips under head coaches Steve Van Meter and Brad LaPlante from 2014-19, including three 11-win seasons. The host Wildcats memorably edged Van Meter's explosive Hippos 41-34 in 2014 on their way to the 17-5A crown and a trip to the 5A Division I state championship game.

After going 11-1 in LaPlante’s first season in 2018 and 9-2 the next year, Hutto slid to 4-5 last year and missed the playoffs. The Hippos begin District 25-6A competition next Friday at Round Rock Westwood.

As winless Temple shoots to recapture its past successful form, Stewart made it clear that now is the time for the Wildcats’ players and coaches to operate better, harder and smarter.

“Go execute. Again, are we not where we want to be because of the play calls, or are we not where we want to be because guys won’t do their job?” Stewart said. “And it’s hard to diagnose schematics when guys aren’t doing their job – coaches and players.

“That’s the biggest concern I’ve probably had, is I don’t see kids playing as hard as they can consistently. If that doesn’t change, then I don’t deserve to stay here. If I’m sitting here and I’m in charge of anything and I can’t get people to do their job as good as they can, then it does start at the top. It’s my fault right now.”

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  • Greg Wille
    • Sep 9, 2021
    • 9 min read

MAN ON THE MOVE: Back in Temple after a year away, Wildcats' Williams savoring new role at receiver


STANDING TALL IN TEMPLE: Devan Williams played defensive back for Temple's varsity football team as a sophomore in 2019 but then moved because of family circumstances in 2020 and played his junior season at Class 3A Division II Wichita Falls City View, helping the 8-5 Mustangs reach the third round of the playoffs. However, Williams moved back to Temple in late April and switched over to offense at wide receiver. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Williams caught a 3-yard touchdown pass, his first TD as a Wildcat, from sophomore quarterback Reese Rumfield in last Friday's 27-14 home loss to Magnolia West. Williams and Temple (0-2) host the Hutto Hippos (1-1) in a non-district finale at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wildcat Stadium. (Photo by Greg Wille, TempleBeltonSports.com)




By GREG WILLE


Devan Williams didn’t move from Seguin to Temple until he was in eighth grade, but he quickly fit in at Lamar Middle School, making friends and excelling in multiple sports.

An athletic defensive back with good size, he developed well enough to make Temple’s varsity football team as a sophomore in 2019 and earn significant playing time for an 8-3 squad that shared a district championship, and he was projected as one of the Wildcats’ starting cornerbacks for his junior season.

Therefore, imagine his level of disappointment during the spring of 2020 when he learned from his mother, Stacy Kindles, that they would be moving to Wichita Falls – a 3½-hour drive from Temple – because of work and family circumstances relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I didn’t want to move,” Williams said Tuesday. “It was a heartbreaking move for me.”

The unexpected news was difficult for Temple head coach Scott Stewart to absorb, too.

“You feel for everybody when people are going through unfortunate situations. Where it really gets you is when you know the kid doesn’t want to leave,” Stewart said. “Devan’s buy-in was so high, even as a younger player. He dang near broke down when they came and told me, and his mom was upset. Any time you uproot your family, it can be a struggle. But to watch a kid and you know it’s breaking his heart, that sucks. He went and handled it.”

Williams transferred from Class 6A Temple to Wichita Falls City View, a 3A school where he produced success in football, basketball, baseball and track and field during the 2020-21 school year. Despite the positive adjustment he made to his new setting and life situation, Williams was thrilled when his mother told him in April that they would be coming back to Temple.

“When we moved (to Wichita Falls), some family stuff happened and my mom was like, ‘I want to be closer to home.’ So we ended up coming back,” he said. “I had just spent the year there, and when my mom said she was ready to move back home, I was just filled with excitement.”

On April 27 this year, Stewart was in his office at Temple Athletic Complex answering a reporter’s questions about the Wildcats’ upcoming spring football practices when he heard a knock on his door. The person who then entered was a slightly taller and slightly thicker version of Williams, who after having been gone for approximately one year was met by a hug from Stewart and then delivered some news the coach was happy to hear.

“When I walked in, he thought I was just visiting. When I told him I was back, Coach Stew was ecstatic,” Williams recalled with a smile. “I think he instantly picked the phone up and got me into school the next day. All my credits transferred over and I finished the school year in Temple. It went a lot smoother than I thought it would – no problems at all.”

Added Stewart about the surprising-but-welcomed return of Williams: “You knew he was back the second I knew he was back.”

That sophomore defensive back who got a large amount of playing time, including his 40-yard kickoff return, in Temple’s 41-10 playoff loss at then-defending state champion Longview in 2019 is now a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior who also has a new position: wide receiver.

After making a 33-yard reception in the Wildcats’ season-opening 54-13 home loss to No. 1-ranked Austin Westlake on Aug. 27, Williams generated another highlight by easily catching a fade pass from sophomore quarterback Reese Rumfield for a 3-yard touchdown 2½ minutes into Temple’s home game with Magnolia West last Friday at Wildcat Stadium.

“It felt great. It felt like I finally broke the ice, and I just feel like there’s a lot more to come,” Williams said about his first touchdown in a Wildcats uniform, which followed an interception by junior Naeten Mitchell. “It was my first time, so it was a very good experience for me, a very good moment.”


UNCONTESTED: Temple senior wide receiver Devan Williams catches a 3-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Reese Rumfield during the Wildcats' 27-14 loss to Magnolia West last Friday at Wildcat Stadium. After moving back to Temple from Wichita Falls in late April, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Williams has three receptions for 45 yards and a TD. (File photo by Mike Lefner, Temple ISD/Special to TempleBeltonSports.com)



Alas, that TD reception by Williams – who has three catches for 45 yards this season – provided Temple’s only lead in what became a frustrating 27-14 defeat that sent the Wildcats to their first 0-2 start since 2011. Williams and Temple will aim to break into the win column when they host the Hutto Hippos (1-1) in both teams’ non-district finale at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wildcat Stadium.

“It’s just really buying into the coaches’ plan and trusting each other – trusting the coaches and having the coaches trust us,” Williams said about Temple’s key to securing its first victory. “(We need to) support each other and keep high standards for each other on the field.”

Although he would have preferred never to leave Temple, Williams did make the most of his single year in Wichita Falls. He said he made approximately 12 touchdown catches as a receiver for City View along with starting at safety and playing on all special teams for an 8-5 team that won two playoff games in 3A Division II before the Mustangs were eliminated by then-defending state champion Gunter.

“It was non-stop,” Williams said about his on-field workload at City View.

A guard in basketball, Williams helped City View reach the regional quarterfinals before a loss to second-ranked Brock, an eventual state semifinalist. He played baseball as an outfielder and shortstop and also competed in the 200-meter dash, the 4x100 and 4x200 relays and high jump for the track and field squad.

From a football standpoint, Williams said that getting to play on both sides of the ball throughout his 13-game junior season proved highly beneficial.

“It was new and it was a learning experience for me. I got another year of varsity experience at a different level. Seeing 6A and then seeing 3A, it helped me slow the game down and understand a little more,” he said. “It was pretty good (coaching). They sat me down and helped me understand the game – the coverages and what you could expect from defenses. Playing defense and then translating that to offense helps me read the field and coverages better.”

Williams admitted that after moving to a different part of the state, he knew nothing about City View’s opponents, such as Windthorst, Henrietta and Holliday.

“When I went there, they were talking about schools and I’m like, ‘Who are they? I’ve never heard of them,’” Williams said, grinning. “I come back here and they’re talking about Longview and Rockwall-Heath, teams full of four-star (recruits) and athletes. It’s a big difference. I might as well have been a linebacker in 3A, because all they did was run the ball.”

Williams said that upon returning to Temple’s classrooms and football program in late April, he was fully embraced by former teammates who once again became his current teammates, such as seniors Samari Howard, Michael Heckstall and Faylin Lee and junior Mikal Harrison-Pilot.

“They were all excited to greet me and have me back,” said Williams, who overcame an iliac crest injury in his hip entering his sophomore football season.

Although Williams almost certainly would have been one of Temple’s starting cornerbacks had he remained in town for his junior season, his do-it-all experience in Wichita Falls gave him a fresh perspective about what position he wanted to play in his second act as a Wildcat.

Conversations with Stewart – Temple’s defensive coordinator from 2014-15 before he became head coach – and current defensive coordinator Dexter Knox provided clarity on the situation. With his appealing combination of size, speed, strength and athleticism, Williams was enthusiastic about making another move – this one to wide receiver.

“As soon as I came back, Coach Knox talked to me and said, ‘I see you’ve been catching the old pelota,’” Williams said, referring to the Spanish word for ball. “And so he asked me, ‘Well, what do you want to play, receiver or cornerback?’ And I was like, ‘I really liked playing receiver up there.’ So I came back and that’s where I fit right in.

“Coach Stew asked me, ‘You want to come back to the dark side (defense)?’ But I was like, ‘I kind of like offense.’”

Said Stewart: “When Devan came back, I said, ‘What would you prefer?’ Because at that point, I think we’d grown some defensive backs. He said, ‘Coach, I would play anywhere you want me, but I really think I’m a difference-maker at receiver.’ He was a good-looking kid when he was a sophomore and he’s gotten a little bigger. Watching him run routes, he’s so smooth. You see some of the Quentin Johnston-type stuff. He transitions well.”

Of course, Stewart couldn’t resist kidding Williams about his tendency to jump too early on some routes. For example, the senior mistimed his leap on a fade pass on third-and-goal from the 3-yard line with Magnolia West leading 27-14 with 7 minutes remaining, allowing a Mustangs defender to knock the ball away and prevent the Wildcats from scoring a crucial touchdown.

“Now if I can ever get him to time a jump . . . you can outjump that guy by 15 inches and you jumped 2 seconds early,” Stewart said with a laugh. “You’re coming down when the ball’s getting there. He does that in practice and he’s like, ‘Well, I’m trying to elevate first.’ Well, if you can’t elevate and stay in the air longer, then you need to time it better.”

Williams acclimated to his wide receiver position during spring practice and throughout the summer in 7-on-7 action and position-specific drills. Although his statistics (three catches, 45 yards, one touchdown) after two games are modest, that can be considered representative of an inconsistent Temple offense that’s passed for only 209 yards and struggled to produce an effective rushing attack.

Offensive coordinator Josh Sadler commended Williams for his performance thus far.

“Devan’s doing a great job. We’re going to continue to try to get the ball in his hands more,” Sadler said. “What I’m most impressed with is what he does without the ball in his hands. His backside route running, his blocking at the point of attack, those things are phenomenal – stuff that you see at the next level, not necessarily high school. He’s doing a heck of a job.”

Added Williams, also a key member on Temple's special teams: “I help my team in any way I can. If it comes to blocking or just making receptions, anything I can do to help the team and benefit us scoring-wise, I love it. It’s just getting physical and being able to make plays for my team. I think about it as, wherever my coach needs me, I’m going to perform no matter what. I’m ready to have fun and ready to play, no matter where you have me on the field."

Williams is self-critical enough to concede that his overall play in the disappointing 41-point setback against two-time defending state champ Westlake wasn’t nearly good enough.

“It was just effort and attitude,” he said. “I looked at film from Westlake and I saw myself slacking on a couple of plays, so I was just thinking, ‘I’ve got to go 100 percent every single play, because if I’m slacking off it could be a run coming my way and if I miss a block, then that’s yards that we lose.’”

While hopeful that more passes get thrown in his direction in upcoming games, Williams remains hungry to keep improving as a blocker.

“I think right now I’m at 8 (on a scale of 1 to 10). I can hold on to my blocks a little longer, but I try to go for kill shots,” he said. “(Receivers) Coach (Robby) Case and I were watching film and a cornerback was coming over the middle and I hit him and knocked him down, so he gave me a grade on my grade sheet for that.”

On the topic of grades, Williams said he maintains a 3.8 grade-point average and that his mother – who’s coached softball and volleyball – makes sure he prioritizes academics. He listed anatomy and physiology as his favorite class and is interested in a career as a radiologist.

Williams plans to play basketball for Temple after football season ends – he played varsity hoops for the Wildcats as a sophomore – and compete in track and field, with joining the baseball team also a possibility.

During this summer he attended football camps at Texas Christian, Southern Methodist and Texas-San Antonio. He especially enjoyed his experience at TCU, drawing interest as both a receiver and a defensive back from the Horned Frogs’ coaches.

“I just want to play football for as long as I can,” Williams said, adding that he’s not against going out of state to pursue his best college opportunity.

However, as for Williams possibly moving back over to Temple’s defense, his offensive coordinator was quick to shoot down that notion, albeit in humorous fashion.

“It ain’t happening. I’ll hold onto him if I’ve got to. I’ll put his feet in concrete if I’ve got to. Slash somebody’s tires . . . I don’t care what I’ve got to do,” Sadler deadpanned. “No, I love Devan to death. Great kid. He’s all in, and that type of attitude he’s got is what’s going to get us through this little bit of a slump we’re in right now.”

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