The 2020 season is here. Everyone seems healthy, and did not appear any injuries came from the scrimmage last night with San Angelo Lakeview.

The Yellowjackets looked good in the scrimmage. I left after Llano scored its 6th TD, and the Chiefs had scored twice. Not to dwell long about the scrimmage, it is worth telling that the Jacket secondary looked good. Very sound tackling by all. Luke Keller is the lone returning starter from last year, and as a senior leads that group. The defensive line put good pressure on the Chief’s quarterback. Returning seniors and All-District Guillermo Davila and Unanimous All District Pick Cade Ligon head up this group. Jacket linebackers will be making a difference. Lead by two year starter Mason Baker at middle linebacker, with good help from Lance Pierce, Bode Gann, Anthony Ysais and senior Trevor Cowan.

Defense has changed. Alot. Going back 20 years when Yellowjacket defensive coordinator Karl McCormack was in Llano, his good defenses were allowing 10, 11, 12 points a game. I saw where Wimberley last season average allowing 26 per game. They were in the State Championship game. High powered offenses with zip like passing attacks have changed much of that. But I do believe the Jackets have an opportunity to be one of the best defenses in many many years.

Oh me..the offense. Where do I start/ Starters returning…Case Kuykendall, Quincy Prince, Jared Beasley…could be the best threesome anywhere….Luke Hicks, Matthew Whitley strong and solid offensive lineman….Other that will start or see plenty of action…Aiden Cuthbertson, Jake Self, Maddox Green, Dalton Enberg, Zack Watson and Colin Mayes. And what is that in our back pocket? No other than school record holder and 10 of 15 career field goals kicker, senior Diego Perez. His 77 of 83 career extra points is too a school record.

We can catch up on school records as the season goes on. But, records are only important at the end of the season, not the beginning. Llano has wished and dreamed about the day the UIL would move the Jackets into 3AAA…the classification where we play with schools closer to our own enrollment size. The Jackets play a solid schedule. And a very tough district schedule. But the season begins with 4AAAA Gatesville Friday night.

Playing Gatesville goes back many years. Our 3-5 all-time record needs to be improved on. I do think the last time Llano played Gatesville was 2000, the year the Hornets won the State Championship. They will be tough, and will have an attitude about playing a smaller school. This is no game to overlook. You talk about “trap” games? This is one.

I know Llano is ready, and Friday night is the test. Playing in Llano will be great for all. Talk to you after Friday night, when the Jackets up the over all record against Gatesville to 4-5.