CLAREMONT, N.C. — When one steps out onto a field or court, he or she prepares for the possibility that an injury can occur. It is up to that individual to let that setback define them or not.
Bunker Hill junior running back Jason Willis Jr. chose not to let a hiccup be the deciding factor into what kind of athlete he could become.
Football has been a sport Willis has loved since he was 4-years-old because of the enjoyment he and his father had watching it. He said he’ll always remember watching National Football League (NFL) games, particularly the match-ups between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.
This led him to pursue flag football first, and he only moved up from there. He has now settled into the running back position, but it wasn’t always the position he played.
“I played every position on the field, mainly corner, which I like [playing] corner, but I had to think about my body size which I fit well as a running back,” he said. “I feel in [a] way [more] confident like I’m the best ever when I have the ball in my hand.”
Willis is coming off of a career season with the Bears varsity football program. However, there was an obstacle along the way that shortened his season.
“My sophomore season was going as planned, but you know injuries are a part of the game and my injury was a rare injury to my hip which is all healed now,” he said.
Bunker Hill finished the 2022 season at 11-2 overall and 6-1 in the Catawba Valley 2A Conference. The Bears have had at least a 6-1 mark in conference play since the shortened 2020-21 season which has been good for second place in the standings each of those seasons.
Instead of playing the team’s 13 games, he was limited to eight. Despite being held back from some games last year, Willis said he had faith that his team would still respond and win games.
Willis garnered a team-best 1,352 rushing yards, averaging 169 yards per game, while also adding a team-high 17 touchdowns. In seven of his eight contests, he secured 100 or more yards.
He also chimed in with 12 receptions for 64 yards, as well as earned five total tackles on the defensive side as a cornerback.
His ability to lead the running game led to his first All-CVAC nod as an honorable mention. He was also selected as the WNNC/Coca-Cola Golden Helmet Award winner for Week 1 of the 2022 season. He rushed 20 times for 295 yards and four TDs in the Week 1 win over Stuart Cramer.
“I never doubted my potential on the field. I feel I could be a 2,000 yard running back with ease,” said Willis. “My sophomore season has made me feel as though I can overcome a lot of obstacles and challenges which cause me to work harder than I did before my sophomore season.”
In spite of his individual success last season, Willis said that individual awards don’t mean anything if the team isn’t winning and producing champion performances.
Nevertheless, Willis also said he witnessed the success of West Lincoln juggernaut Mason Avery the last couple of years, and his level of play is something he aspires to.
Avery finished his career as a 2-time all-state tailback/linebacker, as well as a 3-time all-conference player and a CVAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. Avery also broke the Lincoln County and program single-season record for rushing yards with 2,622 in 2022 while also adding 37 touchdowns. His yardage was good enough for second in North Carolina while his TDs were good enough for fourth in the state.
Willis said he has tremendous respect for Avery and what he accomplished before graduating, but he believes he has finally arrived and will let that be known this season.
Willis began his career on varsity with the Bears as a freshman in 2021, playing in seven games. He obtained 289 yards on 34 carries while also netting a pair of TDs. He also notched 56 yards and two receiving TDs on five catches, including a career-long 29-yard grab.
His breakout moment as a freshman came in a 42-0 victory over St. Stephens on Aug. 27, 2021, when he had his first 100-yard rushing outing. Willis earned 110 yards on seven carries, obtained his first pair of TDs and netted a previously career-long 73 yard rush.
During his freshman campaign, he was able to play alongside the likes of all-conference talents Kaden Robinson and Chadz Stevenson who were sort of mentors to him.
“I feel that year was more of a mental year for me to get the system down real good and know plays and what I am doing since that system was new; but, competition wise I wasn’t worried because I had that [focused] mindset already [with motivation] from the seniors,” he said. “They told me that if I attack first they will know I’m not a lightweight. The seniors showed me aggression. Kaden was a warrior. He taught me to be tough, [and] show no weaknesses. Chadz taught me to be explosive and don’t double guess.”
When it comes to mentors, in addition to Robinson and Stevenson during his freshman season, Willis said he also has a member of his backfield group via Cole Lineberger. Lineberger is in the same graduating class as Willis, but he said the two hold each other accountable.
“We have played together for a long time. If I miss something, he will let me know and we will fix it. Also, I do the same for him, that connection is important for me,” he said.
Willis said he also looks to his linemen in a mentoring capacity since they are the ones that let him know certain things to be looking for when he’s running the ball.
He also has adoration for his Bunker Hill coaching staff, especially head coach Albert Reid.
“All my coaches help me a lot, but coach Reid is a great coach. He teaches me patience and how to play my own game,” he said. “I set the pace also to be a leader and the rest will follow. He knows my potential and all of them try their best to make me the best I can be.”
Given his potential to get even better, Willis doesn’t have a full lull between seasons as he also competes on the Bears’ track & field team during the spring.
“Track helps me get a kick start [to football],” he said. “ I call track my own therapy sport before football. It not only helps me with speed and endurance but with flexibility, which is important for me. You will see I have more explosiveness and endurance this year.”
Heading into the 2023 season, Willis said the team’s goal is to have an even better year than last year which, as aforementioned, was successful. However, one program has been standing in the Bears’ way, and that has been Maiden High School.
Although there have been some tight battles in recent memory, Bunker Hill has not defeated Maiden since the late 1980s, and it ended the Bears’ advancement deep into the state playoffs in 2022 with a third-round loss on Nov. 18, 38-14.
“Our goal this year is bigger than ever,” said Willis. “We have the talent and the team to win and compete with anyone. Also [for] my goals, the Maiden goal is in my head, but I think deeper. I feel if we want to be successful, we need to defeat a team like the Reidsville Rams [in playoff action] to truly become that great team.”
Willis has pushed last season’s mishaps aside, and is hopeful in the team’s outcome in 2023. Bunker Hill begins its season in a home non-conference match-up against Freedom on Aug. 18.
