Our new format may look strange to many of you that have followed Play To Win over the past 37 years, but I hope it will still be meaningful and relevant. Former Yellowjacket quarterbacks Jeff Kuykendall and Brian Hill will also be giving you their opinions and insights in the 2010 season. Please send us your thoughts, and on the blog as you know, they too will be part of the Yellowjacket season. Lets’ get this season started.

The Jackets play Comanche in two days. The Jackets play the 4-2A team that is picked to come in second in their district according to Texas Football magazine. The 2009 Indians were 9-3, with 6 returners from a strong defense, lead by senior tight end/linebacker Ty Weaver. The over-all record against Comanche is 11 wins and 7 losses.

The Jackets on the other hand come off an injury plagued season in which bad luck stamped the 2009 season. The 4-5 record . Still, Llano finished the past five seasons with a 36-22 record, 5th best of 3AAA schools in the Austin American Statesman readership area of 15 schools. The Jackets missed the play-offs for the first time in 2009 after playing 9 playoff games the previous four seasons…

We will be looking at seniors to lead the Jackets back to the play0ffs. Returning starting quarterback Preston Rabb will take the new offense implemented by Coach David Yeager from the slot T to a spread formation and more passing. I still see the running game as our primary source of yardage, but Rabb’s arm will be tested early. Look for Llano’s fastest Jacket, senior Justin Saverance to catch and run the football the most. Sterling Jameson could be the surprise of the senior class. Good athlete. Jordan Cavenesss should see alot of Rabb passes come his way. Matthew Ratliff will be the bulldozer on the offensive line, along with three-year starter Travis Lawrence. But the defense may be the key to this seasons success.

Ravin Herron, Kenneth Smith,, Lawerence, Michael Rusche, Cavness, Conner Chauncy, and Cody Lang, along with Travis Maddox need to take the leadership roles.  The Jackets likely will have as many as five starters from the junior and sophomore classes.

The Harris Rating poll has the Jackets at number 89 ranked in 3AAA. Last season, Llano climbed up to about #60 before falling back. Harris has Llano as a 6 point favorite, but Comanche will be at home. This margin could get closer at Friday nite gets here. The Jackets must get ready on the 90 mile trip to Comanche, for if they don’t, it will seem like 900 miles for the ride home.

My Prediction:  Llano 20  Comanche 7