Willis vs. Harrell

by **RGV Pony** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:35 pm

...anyone know if these two played each other in HS (Ryan vs. Ennis)? As a disclaimer, yes I know this tells us nothing about the upcoming game against TTech, but it was interesting to see Willis' numbers vs. Matt Stafford.

Part two up for discussion on this thread: not only will it be first game experience for our guy, it will be the first game as a starter after the keys to the offense have been handed over to their guy as well. Anyone think that it may be tougher on Harrell, because he has expectations (i.e. their offense has been prolific under every other QB, and he's the first under Leach who is not a RS Senior) whereas Willis has fewer expectations (how many years since an SMU QB has thrown 10 TD passes?)

by **CalallenStang** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:43 pm

Harrell has played college ball before. Heck, he even played in the Cotton Bowl last year. This will be his first game as a starter, but not his first game altogether.

by **RGV Pony** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:49 pm

CalallenStang wrote:Harrell has played college ball before. Heck, he even played in the Cotton Bowl last year. This will be his first game as a starter, but not his first game altogether.

Good point. Original post edited.

The question's essentially the same.

by **mr. pony** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:59 pm

I'll take Willis.

by **CalallenStang** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 9:04 pm

RGV Pony wrote:
CalallenStang wrote:Harrell has played college ball before. Heck, he even played in the Cotton Bowl last year. This will be his first game as a starter, but not his first game altogether.

Good point. Original poste edited. The question's essentially the same.

Sure, Harrell has higher expectations, because Tech has done more as of recent. SMU isn't expected to beat Tech. Harrell is expected to rip up the SMU secondary like there's no tomorrow. We shouldn't even be comparing the expectations of the two. But I don't think this will make the first game harder on Harrell, because he has at least gotten some snaps at the college level and is used to the speed of the game, whereas Willis has never played against a defense other than SMU's.

by **JC71** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:50 pm

RGV Pony wrote:...anyone know if these two played each other in HS (Ryan vs. Ennis)? As a disclaimer, yes I know this tells us nothing about the upcoming game against TTech, but it was interesting to see Willis' numbers vs. Matt Stafford.

Part two up for discussion on this thread: not only will it be first game experience for our guy, it will be the first game as a starter after the keys to the offense have been handed over to their guy as well. Anyone think that it may be tougher on Harrell, because he has expectations (i.e. their offense has been prolific under every other QB, and he's the first under Leach who is not a RS Senior) whereas Willis has fewer expectations (how many years since an SMU QB has thrown 10 TD passes?)

Justin at Denton Ryan and Graham Harrell at Ennis played against each other in a non district game at the beginning of the 2003 season. Justin was a junior and it was his first (possibly second) game as DR's starting quarterback. Harrell was a senior, having led Ennis to a state championship as a sophomore and to the state semifinals as a junior (losing to DR and James Battle). Harrell had an outstanding night and Ennis easily beat DR by several touchdowns. DR regrouped, and, with Justin becoming a dramatically better qb as he got experience, DR reached the state final (losing to LaMarque in 3 OTs). DR and Ennis would have had a rematch in the state semifinals but for Highland Park and Stafford beating Ennis and Harrell in a huge upset (DR then beat HP and Stafford in the state semifinals in the first matchup between Justin and Stafford).

by **ThadFilms** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:22 am

Thank you for the complete report....

JDub for Heisman.

by **MrMustang1965** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:02 am

I was at the HP v Ennis game pitting Stafford and Harrell against each other. It had to be one of the greatest high school football games I have ever witnessed. One word: EPIC.

by **giacfsp** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:16 am

I'm counting on Muse, Bonds, Haywood and Rogers to put major pressure on the QBs all year. Therefore: how well does Harrell run? Can he get away from pressure, or does he need a solid pocket and plenty of time to make his throws?

by **JC71** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:44 pm

MrMustang1965 wrote:I was at the HP v Ennis game pitting Stafford and Harrell against each other. It had to be one of the greatest high school football games I have ever witnessed. One word: EPIC.

That year 4A Ennis was considered by many to be the best team in Texas, 4A or 5A. As I remember, HP and Ennis played their usual day after Thanksgiving battle at Texas Stadium. Listened to it on the radio and could not believe what I was hearing. HP went out to a big lead and then held off a Harrell led comeback in the second half. Great game for a young Mr. Stafford.

Two weeks later in the semifinals against HP, Justin had one of his best games ever. Up to that point, DR had been primarily a running team. The coaches must have seen something on film because the game plan was for Justin to throw - deep and often. Had several TD passes over 40 yards. Except for the first play from scrimmage when he threw a perfect 70 yard touchdown strike, Stafford was continually harassed by the DR defense (led by Derek Lokey who now plays for Texas) and never could reach the level of success he had against Ennis.

Harrell in high school was a running qb but not a scrambler. Had a quick release and very accurate. Being a coach's son, he was a very smart player, but, my recollection is that he did not like to get hit while passing. As with most qbs, it seemed his accuracy suffered after he had been knocked down several times.

by **MrMustang1965** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:53 pm

by the way, welcome to ponyfans, JC71.

by **JC71** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:38 pm

MrMustang1965 wrote:by the way, welcome to ponyfans, JC71.

Thanks. As I guess is obvious, 1971 SMU grad. Have been following Denton Ryan for the past six years and Justin Willis since 2003. Very glad to see him succeed at SMU. DR fans all knew what great kid he was and that he worked very hard. If he just doesn't try to do too much himself, he should be fine.

by **Houston Pony** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 4:34 pm

Harrell will wind up being the best of all the Mike Leach-era quarterbacks.
Super smart, makes quick decisions, and if not for a broken ankle in the spring of 2005, he would've likely been the starter over Cody Hodges last season.
Played quite a bit last year because Tech blew out all their non-conference opponents, as well as A&M and K-State, so he's got a fair amount of experience. Plus, he had a big 1st down completion in the Cotton Bowl.
Not too fair to compare him with Willis, because he's got a lot more talent surrounding him right now than Willis does.

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