Ryan QB ready for big-time battle

One of the best match-ups of quarterbacks in Texas will take place this Friday night when Highland Park junior superstar Matthew Stafford will square off against Denton Ryan senior signal-caller Justin Willis. And Willis said he’s ready to show everybody what he can do.

“I’ve really worked hard on my timing, and I can really see the field so much better,” Willis, who is 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds, said. “Last year, I was really young, and I wasn’t the first option to be the main way to attack on offense because we had a great running game. This time I’m the first option. I’ve got my timing down, and I’m more aware of the field and see it a lot better.

“I made some mistakes last year, but that’s not going to happen this year.”

And it all starts on Friday night against one of the state’s best programs.

“It should be a real challenge,” Willis said.

Willis hasn’t had too many challenges on the recruiting front. He already has a scholarship offer from SMU and is getting heavy interest from Iowa State, Kansas State, Tulsa and Texas A&M.

“I’d like to hear from Iowa State and K-State when the coaches can call again,” he said. “I really like those Big 12 guys, and they like quarterbacks like me.”

As a junior, Willis earned honorable mention all-state honors and was named newcomer of the year in his district.