Holland High pulled off what might have been one of their biggest victories in program history on Friday, beating state power East Grand Rapids 30-22.
Corey Willis, a junior being recruited as a receiver and cornerback, quarterbacked the win for the Dutch, rushing for 242 yards and two touchdowns and throwing for another score. While the win was significant, he says he was not surprised.
"It was really exciting," he said. "I don't think anybody expected us to win besides the players and all our friends and family, but we were confident we could beat any team on our schedule and EGR was just another game."
The 5'10, 170-lb Willis believes this will propel him and his team through the rest of a difficult schedule.
"It gives us a lot more confidence. It made us more hungry because we have more tough games coming up, but I think our team is up to the challenge."
More performances like that one, and there is no doubt Willis will see more recruiting attention come his way, but as it stands, he is already hearing from quite a few schools.
"I talked to Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, a lot of the MAC, Ball State, and I talk to Michigan State a lot."
Willis has not been to any college games yet, but says he plans to head to some with senior teammate Nathan Ricketts, a prospect with several offers. He will camp more this summer, choosing to lose last summer to get ready for this season.
"I only went to the Detroit Sound Mind, Sound Body camp and tried to work hard in the weight room all summer and get my body right."
So far, that work is paying dividends.