The mystery of what is to come for the 2023 Llano Yellow Jackets football season brings excitement and nervousness to an inexperienced team. But other Jacket teams have been in need of experience, and have had on the job training. Llano will need to hit the ground running, as pre-district games will be true test.

The scrimmage this Thursday in Brady should be a good start. Brady made the play-offs in 2022, in a good 2-3A Div.II. Ballinger, Wall and Early will test the Bulldogs in district play

In a bad kind of way, I wish the Jackets played Brady on a more consistent basis. One of the longest rivalries in our history, few teams have given each other more heart ach than the Jackets and the Bulldogs over 70 years. I can easily count 10 Jacket teams that had 8-2 season records only to be the second place team, and not go to the play-offs. The bitter pill of 1970 when the Jackets and Brady played to 21-21 tie, and the Bulldogs advancing to the play-offs on one more penetration. The Jackets finished that season 9-0-1. Many Old timers would like to see a renewal of the game, someday.

Everything the last two weeks is preparing for Jarrell. The Cougars may be in the roughest district in Class 4A. Having Wimberley, Geronimo Navarro and Lago Vista in your district is nothing short of brutal. The Jackets spent most of 12 years playing those teams. And before that add in Liberty Hill and Burnet. Yet Jarrell made the play offs last season and with a run to the regional semifinalist and a 6-7 record. Preparing smart with Brady Thursday is a true key to being ready for the Cougars to come to Llano on August 25th.