The Llano Yellowjackets beat Comfort on their home field Friday night 34-0 in the opening weekend of District 13-3A. The Jackets are now 4-2 on the 2021 season, and 1-0 in District play.

The Jackets scored on the third play of the game, and the 7th play on offense to take a strong 14-0 lead early in the first quarter. The defense held the Bobcats to 20 yards of offense on 10 plays in the first quarter.

Maddox Green on the third snap of the game ran straight up the middle for 55 yards and the first score. The senior quarterback for Llano would later complete three touchdown passes, all to junior wide receiver Sam Sueltenfuss. Sam finished with 72 yards receiving, and now has 6 receiving touchdowns for the season. Junior running back Carson Kuykendall has 11 Tds for the season. Junior receiver Coy Kelso has 4 TD catches on only 7 catches, averaging over 20 yards per catch. Junior Ross Prokop is tied with Sam with 20 receptions for the year. Junior Miguel Hernandez has 12 catches out of his running back position along with his 448 yards rushing, and 2 touchdowns. Carson has rushed for 496 yards and has caught 5 Green passes.

The offensive line has gotten better each game. Seniors Zach Watson and Matthew Whitley are monsters at times. And can be dominating. Both are having great senior years. Juniors Daniel Sandoval, Ross Edwards, Hudson Godfrey and center Jaxon Lange are peaking at the perfect time. Sophomores Dylan Kennedy and Tanner Howell are young stars. Jesus Chacon and Kaden Raborn are very valuable back-ups.

The Jackets have about 15 players that can play, and do play defense. 11 sacks in 6 games. Lead by linebackers Hayden Manahan and Ricky de la Torre. Lineman Cole Franklin and Jaxon Rhea each have two. Sophomore Fitz Kennedy, juniors Briggs Green and Brock Fly each have one. Isaiah Bush is really coming on strong….and so too Tanner Howell, and Briggs, both sophomores. Zach playing both ways has my heart. Never slows down. Keep writing down #s 12 and 19.. Jenis Bastyens and Aiden Guido…having very strong senior years. And love the play of Caden Bauman and Aiden Hendrickson, both juniors. Caden along with fellow junior Jackson Dillard each have 2 interceptions from their safety positions…making that secondary strong. Brock Fly has been playing alot on both sides of the ball. One solid football player and a sure tackler. Has run the football for 127 yards on 13 carries and a puffy 9.8 yards per carry. And always like seeing #33, Ulisses Martinez…what energy running the ball and a 6 yard average per carry. And I have a place on my notepad when a player jumps out to me really doing extra….Isaiah…Kyle Gilliland….Parker Parish another sophomore…Ulisses….and every week…River Smith…great effort, never gives up on a play…and Cole…always around the football…extra effort by all.

Now we get serious. Lago Vista. “Rivalries”may be an over used adjective, but in only 6 games of play to date, the Lago Vista game has become that. When playing at Lago Vista in 2019…the Jackets lost to a team they should not have….the Vikings just rose up and beat us. Then last season we are in the District together. Everyone knows it will be between us and them. And it is a full 48 minutes of rough physical football. Lo and behold, we meet again in the State Quarterfinals…everything on the line….A gut tearing game that in which the Jackets prevail, but leaves a bad taste in everyones mouth…YUK

Rivalry…yes, I think that is what it is…add to the drama is the defensive coordinator of the Vikings is no other than Brad Kassell, formerly Jacket Quarterback, Safety, All Everything…, still holds the record for most tackles at North Texas State,,,and those years in the Pros….we watched every Sunday….Now…he is on the Vikings sidelines….Rivalry….I think this is what it means.

I love this game…can’t wait like all Jacket fans and family for Friday night. Old rivalries like Brady and Burnet gave you that same feeling in the gut. Lago also sits at 4-2 for the year. I suspect we have similar teams. Both good. I like it that the Vikings will be favored. And like it Llano will get to play the Vikings in Yellowjacket Stadium. This one too, will be special. This one for the District crown, or pretty close to it. Has been about 25 years since Llano won back to back District Championships. Our seniors will be playing for something special.