Flatonia’s Willis Trying to Build On Successful Collegiate Freshman Season

DaKory Willis is trying to build on the success he had as a freshman for the Texas Lutheran University football team.

The running back out of Flatonia High School finished with 333 rushing yards, second on the team, and three touchdowns in playing all five games during the spring. He led the team with nine kickoff returns and 107 yards and had two receptions for 29 yards.

“He’s about as good a young man as you can find,” said Matt Gustafson, Texas Lutheran running backs coach. “He’s talented. He works hard. He’s got the heart for it.”

Listed at 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds, Willis had season highs of 18 rushes and 122 yards in a win over McMurry University. He led all players in rushing yardage and scored on a 15-yard run.

He carried 11 times for 79 yards in his debut, during which he had his season-long run of 41 yards on a first-down play in the second quarter.

“I expected to perform well,” the sophomore said. “I wasn’t expecting to have people respect me as much as I did.”

He said he has been working on his stride, doing cone and ladder drills and sprints during the summer.

“I’ve got to get my feet quicker,” he said. “Maintain speed and be consistent.”

Gustafson said Willis will be in a rotation of two to three backs. “Backs take a lot of punishment,” he said. “He had a little shoulder problem (in the spring). It seems like his strength is back.”

Willis, who said his shoulder is 100 percent healthy, will be a kick returner again, but Gustafson said he won’t play other special teams.

“He was our deep returner last year. We were 100 percent happy,” the coach said. “He was very dependable. That’s really hard to find in a young man.”

More football

Previously at La Grange High, Chris Dobbins is a freshman running back for New Mexico Military Institute.

Men’s soccer

Past Leopard Jose Lopez-Ocon is no longer on the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain roster. Last year the freshman goalkeeper played in two games and made three saves. He did not allow a score.

Women’s volleyball

Erica Otto is a freshman right side hitter for Southwestern University. She played for Schulenburg High.

Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.