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August 29, 2013
RYAN
DRC Football
Willis, Gray form potent pair for Ryan By Ben Baby Staff Writer
In last season’s playoff opener against Hurst L.D. Bell, wide receiver Trent Willis made the play that turned momentum in Ryan’s favor and helped the Raiders push into the second round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs. Against two defenders, Willis spun in the air and caught a deep pass. He came back down, gracefully stayed in bounds and scored a key touchdown. “That pretty much was our season in one catch,” senior quarterback Mitchell Bridges said. After Bell tied the game, Willis had another key catch to set up the late gamewinning field goal. In Ryan’s balanced offense, Willis and fellow senior wide receiver Xavier Gray will both play key roles in keeping Ryan’s offense rolling in a year when expectations will be raised. And while the passing attack isn’t as prolific as it was in the days of star quarterback Scotty Young, Ryan head coach Joey Florence is pleased with what his offense is capable of. “I hope we’re never as prolific as we were back then because it made it very difficult to play defense,” Florence said. “We want to be more balanced. This team right here is a very good offensive football team.” With the likes of Tyrone Williams and Maurice Gordon returning in the backfield, defenses won’t have the luxury of loading up to stop Ryan’s rushing attack because of the Raiders’ ability to pass the ball. Last season, Willis and Gray had three different quarterbacks trying to target them. Bridges missed four of the team’s nine regular season games and was knocked out of another game in which fourthstring quarterback Kevin Ray was forced to switch from wide receiver and lead the offense. Ray is gone and the other two backups, Gray and senior Preston Compton, will both be used primarily at wide receiver. Gray said the continuity those players
RYAN: IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton Wide receivers Xavier Gray and Trent Willis made a host of big plays for Ryan in 2012 and will be counted on to contribute again this fall when the Raiders take on a challenging schedule as a member of District 5-5A. Gray made a spectacular touchdown catch in the playoffs against L.D. Bell to tie the game and later caught a pass that set up the game-winning field goal.
developed over the years finally started to translate to the field in 2012. He expects those effects to spill over into 2013. “We’ve all been pretty good friends since freshman year and been playing with each other for a while now, so last year was the first time we got to do it on a consistent basis, so it felt good,” Gray said. “I think this year will be even better.” Bridges and Gray first came across each other during a track meet in eighth grade at Ryan. Bridges said both he and Gray were looking for a way out of the 100meter dash and were planning to false start. They never got the chance. “[Ryan defensive coordinator David] Thomas didn’t give us time,” Bridges said. “He shot the gun before we even got down.”
Florence called Gray the key to the team, from the wide receiver’s personality and leadership skills to his play-making ability once he gets the ball. “He’s not flashy, but he’s very hard to tackle when he gets the ball in his hands,” Florence said. “I’ve coached a lot faster and a lot more athletic guys, but he’s got an amazing ability of staying on his feet. People have a hard time of tackling him. He’s going to play a big part of what we’re going to do this year.” Last season, Gray compiled 304 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Willis reeled off 537 yards and six scores.
RAIDERS Quick facts District: 5-5A 2012 record: 6-5 (3-2, District 5-5A) Coach: Joey Florence (142-34 in 13 years at Ryan) Returning starters: six on offense, seven on defense Key players: DT J.T. Williams, QB Mitchell Bridges, RB Tyrone Williams, DL Nolan Robinson, WR Xavier Gray, WR Trent Willis, DE Alex Funches Offense: Multiple Defense: 4-2-5 School enrollment: 2,125 Stadium: C.H. Collins Athletic Complex
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