Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510110023
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Once he was given the routine, Willis went to the fieldhouse, put on his uniform and did his photo shot.
Afterwards, he graciously did his interview and then got ready for practice.
If only his high school career was as calm.
Willis has experienced the ups and downs of being on an average football team and was a key player for a very successful Glenvar basketball squad. But it was an off-the-field incident that probably has had the biggest impact on his life.
On June 10, 1994, his close friend and former teammate Brian Thomas died in a car accident.
But to say that Willis was Thomas' best friend may be selfish.
"He was best friends with everyone," Willis said, maintaining his calm demeanor. "He had a lot of friends."
When tragedy occurs, moving ahead can be particularly hard for friends and family. But the 6-2, 187-pound 17-year-old, realizes that loved ones shouldn't be forgotten.
"I don't always show it but I think about him all the time," Willis said.
The two athletes played together on Glenvar's freshman team. Willis then decided to sit out his sophomore season so he could work on his basketball skills. He returned to the grid iron a year later to honor the promise he made to his late friend.
Following the death of Thomas, the Highlanders opened the 1994 football season with a commanding 25-6 at Lord Botetourt. Willis, then a defensive end, returned an interception 61 yards for a touchdown.
However, Glenvar's fortunes on the football field were minimized. The Highlanders finished 5-5 overall and 2-3 in the Pioneer District.
The soft-spoken junior became the starting quarterback in the fourth game of the season when Joey Taylor was injured. For the season, Willis completed 26 of 60 pass attempts for 415 yards. He threw three touchdowns but had 10 interceptions.
Willis, though, would go on to find success in another sport - basketball.
Wearing a #34 patch on his jersey given to him by Thomas' mother, Willis scored 15 points in the Group A final against William Monroe. But the inspiration wasn't enough to carry the team as Glenvar lost 51-46.
Willis, the small forward, made first team All-Pioneer District and All-Region after leading Glenvar in points scored (392) for the season.
But school wasn't the only place where he played on a successful hoop squad.
His AAU team qualified for the National AAU Tournament in Winston-Salem in July.
With all the success on the hardcourt, his football coach was expecting the same chemistry for Willis' outdoor sport.
"He brings an added dimension we haven't had at Glenvar in a while - he's so mobile," said coach Brian Hooker.
In the opener this season against Lord Botetourt, Willis was six-of-12 for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Two weeks later in a 21-20 victory against Floyd County, Willis' 28-yard touchdown run proved to be the difference as the Buffaloes missed a two-point conversion late in the game.
"He can do so many things well - run, throw, play good defense - and he's become more of a vocal leader," Hooker said.
However, the Highlanders (2-2 overall, 0-1 Pioneer District) followed their two victories with losses. And the schedule gets no easier as Glenvar hosts Bath County (4-0, 2-0) on Friday.
As for the future, Willis has thought about playing at the next level.
"I want to play football at Marshall," the teenager said. "I think I have enough height and speed to play Division I football."
Willis, who runs 4.6 in the 40, is pursuing Marshall for more than an athletic standpoint.
"He wants to get a college degree," Hooker said. "He understands getting that college degree can make his life more rewarding. He's taking the right classes to put himself in that position."
But once again he wants to honor a promise made to a friend.
"We wanted to go there together," Willis said.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***