Navasota withstood a third-quarter rally from visiting Willis with a ground attack that ground up the Wildcats in a 34-23 victory Friday at Rattler Stadium.

Navasota (2-0) gave up a safety that cut its lead to 28-23, and the Willis (1-1) sideline was bathing in momentum when the free kick was returned to the Rattlers' 30-yard line.

Navasota's defense grew fangs, though. A first-down pass from Fred Nixon to Autrey Golden lost 9 yards. Nixon scrambled to the 35 on second down, but Michael Nava sacked the quarterback back at the 47 on third down to force a punt.

The Rattlers took over at their 13 and sustained their best drive of the young season with the help of some trickery. Navasota coach Lee Fedora gambled on a fake punt call in his own territory, and Tevin Creeks broke three tackles in the backfield before picking up 22 yards for a first down.

Quarterback Ian Day later hit Alfon Taylor on a third-down pass, and Taylor broke two tackles in gaining 13 yards and another first down. Day moved the ball to the 2 before calling his own number again over left tackle for the clinching touchdown.

The Rattlers gained 532 yards of offense, Jones (13 carries, 113 yards) and Burrell (8-101) eclipsing the 100-yard mark on the ground. Day ran for 92 yards and two scores. Through the air, he completed 14 of 19 passes for 202 yards and two TDs.

The Navasota defense held Willis' offense to just seven points and gave up only 236 yards. Nixon was 12 of 22 for 124 yards but was intercepted three times. Golden rushed the ball 16 times for 91 yards.

Navasota started the night's scoring on its second possession. Day found Creeks in front of the Rattler bench, and he broke a tackle at midfield before scooting down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown.

Willis came right back. Nixon found an open Earnest Straughter for a 47-yard completion to the Rattler 19. After two Golden carries, Nixon found Trevon Tatum in the left flat and he fought his way into the end zone for the tying touchdown.

The Rattlers fell behind when Day was sacked at his own 7 and fumbled. It bounced right into the hands of Quan West, who walked in for a 14-7 lead.

The Navasota rushing attack finally got on track after each team exchanged punts. Day again found Creeks, and he fought his way up to the 40. Antoin Burrell took a short pitch left and followed his blockers for a 60-yard touchdown that tied the game and gave the momentum back to the Rattlers.

After Willis missed a field goal, Day gained 9 yards on a quarterback draw before Jones took a toss and rumbled down the Navasota sideline to the 2. Day ran over the left side for a touchdown, but the extra point was missed and the lead was 20-14.

Willis went to its no-huddle offense and quickly moved down the field. Starting at their own 37, the Wildcats needed just four plays to advance to the Rattler 19 before Jones stepped in front of a Nixon pass for an interception.

Day hit Creeks in the back of the end zone with 9 seconds remaining until halftime, and Jones converted the two-point try for a 28-14 halftime lead.

Willis linebacker John Deveraux stepped in front of a Day pass on the third play after halftime and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown that made it 28-21.