San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

In fitting tribute, San Francisco 49ers rookie middle linebacker Patrick Willis, a former Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School football standout, was awarded the game ball by 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan for helping lead his team to an emotional 37-31 upset victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Willis’ biggest tackle of the game occurred during overtime when he was able to chase down speedy Cardinal receiver Sean Morey in the open field, averting a game-winning score. The tackle would result in a missed field goal by Cardinal kicker Neil Rackers. The 49ers won the contest with 4:56 remaining in overtime when San Francisco outside linebacker Tully Banta Cain recovered an Arizona fumble in the end zone to seal the victory.

Willis, contributing his 11th consecutive 10-plus tackle game thus far, posted a season-high 18 tackle performance to spur the 49ers to victory.

The talented rookie, dubbed by 49ers linebacker coach and NFL Hall-of-Fame linebacker Mike Singletary as a “tackling machine”, leads the NFL in tackles with 110 solo, 150 combined.

• Rebels Romp into Semi-finals
• Willis Awarded Game Ball following 49ers 37-31 Victory
• Bethel suffers heartbreaking defeat to The University of St. Francis
• HMS Sweeps MMS