The football season begins this next Friday night with an inner confidence.  So many new players.  So many veterans with great experience.  Some new coaches with lots of energy. Few will predict the number of wins…but all feel confident it will be unlike 2013 and 2014.

We travel to Wall Friday night.  Revenge would help, as the Hawks beat Llano in Llano last year 54-21.  Wall was an 11-2 team last season, going into the play-offs and losing in the regional quarterfinals.  The Hawks are picked to win their 3-3A DI district, with Brady and Bangs as common foes this year.  Their confidence will be strong.  But what an opening game opportunity for Llano.  Beating Wall in this opening game would be big.

The Jackets prepare with a new quarterback, senior to be Wyatt Casey.  The 6’2 tassel headed Wyatt has looked very good in two scrimmages.  Confidence looks great.  Love his demeanor on the sidelines.  Wyatt could surprise.  And he will have great skill people help.  Love everything John Heflin does.  Yes, all 135 pounds of him.  John became a starter last season as a sophomore in the secondary.  He can run.  Look for more help from the Greenwood brothers, Mason and Brent.  Both are fast.  Wyatt Bauman, and Cody Miller, both veterans will see much time on the field.  And 6’2 #90 Luke Snitkin at end needs to be the next best tight end for the Jackets. He can be a very good senior.

Coach Craig Slaughter says this offensive line will be his best going into his fourth year in Llano.  You start with center senior Colton Center.  Should Colton stay well,  he can be very special.  He leads a group of experienced lineman, with no one better right now than junior to be Ray Dixon.  Tremendous motor…plays hard every play.  Watch the Cameron boys, Hall and Brumley.  Old hand Jose Arredondo at times last year as a junior was the Jackets best blocker. Juan Mungia is very strong and consistent.  There will be others.  But give me a very good offensive line, and you will get good play out of the skill guys.

Last season, the defense was not good.  So I will wait until we have a feel for this seasons players.  6 of the top defensive players from last season return.  All will be better.  But they must be much better.  Llano plays 8 teams that made the playoffs last year.  There will be no easy games.  But you play them one at a time.  Right now, Wall is the only team on the schedule.

So let’s all saddle up and head west.  Beating a good Wall team on their home field will be tough, but the assignment not impossible.  Llano 21   Wall 18 ..