The Llano Yellow Jackets host the Jarrell Cougars this Friday night at 7PM. The first game to be played on the new turf, also brings with it a Yellow Jacket 19 game home winning streak. Jarrell scored the second most points against the Jackets last season. The 26 points was bettered only by Edna in the State Semi Final game. The Jackets in 2022 gave up an average of only 12 points per game…may not be a record, but the best by far in over 30 years.

The elephant in the room today is the loss of senior quarterback Briggs Green. The returning 2nd team All State quarterback in the Coaches Padilla Poll cannot be measured here. Briggs’ 32 TD passes last season is the second best all time in school history. Career marks in passing yards, completions, and TD passes all would have fallen had the season begun with Briggs. We hope for a speedy recovery, as his leadership skills and experience as an all district safety his sophomore year marked a remarkable two seasons.

While Llano looses one of its best, know that these varsity Jacket players will be playing harder as they recognize the steep hill to be climbed. Llano still has experience at key positions, and experience that will be leaned upon every Friday night. Maybe no one more important than seniors Dylon Kennedy in the offensive line, Parker Parriah at tight end, Alex Kachura at wide receiver, Charlie White at defensive back, Dusty Miller on defense and running back, and likely two way starter, Fitz Kennedy at outside linebacker and running back. All 6 of these juniors last season received recognition on the All District team. Also, two key members are seniors J.J.Vaughn and Frank Machuga. Both experienced offensive lineman.

The Jackets looked good against Brady in last Thursday’s scrimmage. But a scrimmage against Brady is not the same as against a very good Jarrell team coming to Llano Friday night. Jarrell’s team last season was very fast at the receiver positions, as four TDs were for long yards and and they happened fast. Last season Llano had several key players that were experiencing their first varsity games. No different this season for Llano. When you think that players on last seasons team such as Ulisses Martinez, Luke Turner, Russell Nelson, and Cole Franklin had little experience, but went on to gain all district recognition, were just learning in the first game last season.

The excitement for many Jacket fans is just that. Learning new players. When I think back about Mason Baker, Hyden Manahan, or Ricky De La Torre all as sophomores and the kind of players they all became is inspiration for any young varsity player. You can do it. Others have done it. And they all started at the same spot, in that first varsity game.

Will be closely watching Friday night how our new quarterback does, as he will need a very strong running game to keep the ball away from the Cougars. That means the offensive line will have to mature and grow up fast. The defense last season, as I said, would be able to keep Llano in many games until the offense caught fire. I can say the same for this years’ defense. I feel strongly that it too can keep the Jackets in many games, until the offense finds its footing.

Prediction: Llano 27 Jarrell 20