The Llano Yellow Jackets took one on the chin Friday night in Burnet against the long time foe in 4-AAAA, the Burnet Bulldogs. And while the 47-12 loss on the “Green Field” was humbling, the Jackets can take solace in knowing this 2023 season is still all out in front of them. While I never did come up with the year that the Green Field was built, the Jackets have never won on that field.

The Jackets’ game got off to a rough start, and really did not get better. After senior Kaleb Payten caught the opening kick off and got the ball back to the 34 yard line, that was as far as they were going. A loss on a run, two penalties, forced a punt. The punt was blocked and caught in mid air and the Bulldogs ran it in for the first score of the game.

Not knowing how quickly bad things could go down hill and so fast, and the third play from scrimmage, the Jackets threw an interception. And now the good part. The Yellow Jackets defense was on the field and held the Bulldogs to 4 yards, forcing a punt. Linebacker Tate Morgan made a good stop on a running play, and pressure from seniors Jackson Hoot and Hunter Brown forced the punting unit on to the field.

Llano’s offense put together a strong series. Senior Fitz Kennedy carried the ball four straight plays for 12 yards and a first down. Good blocks from junior Stephen Barrack at center, and seniors Frank Machuga and Josh Cooper. Junior quarterback Colton Bailey then hit senior Alex Kachura over the middle for an 11yard gain. Alex ended the night with 5 catches. With four from last week, Alex leads the team with 135 yards and 9 catches in two games. RJ Coplin had 8 catches for 90 yards, giving him 9 catches for the two games. Both receivers are very good route runners. Bailey ran for three yards, and sophomore Brayton Shaw ran for three more. But two more penalties ended the drive, and senior Cooper McWilliams came in and punted for 30 yards.

This time the Bulldogs were not to be denied. Four plays and a 21 yard run put the ‘Dogs out in front 14-0 near the end of the first quarter. One paper it was not as bad. The Jackets ended the quarter with 47 yards of offense, and Burnet had 42.

The Jackets next three possessions were not good. A forced punt after gaining only 6 yards. A fumble while going for a fourth and one play. And then an interception on the first play after Burnet had just scored. Burnet scored again before the half and lead 26-0.

The Jackets were scrambling from the get go in this game. Early in the game senior center Billy Everhart came out of the game with a leg injury, not to return. Llano was trying to find the right combination. I counted 8 different players getting time on the offensive line. Besides Dylan Kennedy, Josh Cooper, and JJ Vaughn, we saw action from Barrack, Brown, Machuga, and Thomas Caldron. Junior Will Landers and Carson Stevenson also took snaps. Senior Parker Parrish is a good blocker as his his back up, sophomore Konrad Zwicke.

The offense has to find its identity. And offenses take time. We can see the possibilities of a good running game. Fitz has 140 yards rushing in two games. Shaw has 112 yards in two games. And Bailey can run from his quarterback position. Junior Trey Mote shows a real burst playing in the back field, and had 36 yards against Burnet.

I do like the Jackets short passing game. We know both RJ and Alex and catch and then run. And more throws to the backs, and to speedsters like Kaleb Payten and Parker will help back off the linebackers that have loved to get in close to the Jacket running game. This identity will be found.

The Jacket defense played much better than the 47 points allowed Friday night. Both Fitz Kennedy and Tate Morgan are very aggressive linebackers. Senior Dusty Miller had a good game. Jackson, Charlie White, Carter Bickett and JD Friday all played well. Hunter Brown is getting better in the middle of the line, as is Josh Cooper and Logan Van Pelt. Wesley Whitaker and Mason Martin had good games. The defense is going to be alright. Too many good players not to improve every week.

Austin Crockett is not the same team this year as Llano saw last year. The 5-A, Div. II school was not good last season when Llano beat them in Austin. But Crockett went on the win the last 5 of their last 6 regular season games to make the State Play offs. The brothers, Caleb and Cameron Dickey played lights out in the second half of last season. Cameron, the quarterback, was responsible for 45 touchdowns and was All Central Texas. His younger brother, Caleb, was in on 129 tackles last season, and too was All Central Texas. They shut out their last opponent last week. Expect a barn burner this week for the Jackets Homecoming.

Llano has now won 20 straight games in Jacket Stadium. Win number 21 will take everything the Jackets have to offer, and more. But this is where the Jackets grow up. Playing a much larger school with very good athletes. Llano will be better. The offense will expect to eliminate the turnovers and the penalties. And the defense will get Cameron Dickey off the field.

Llano 31

Crocket6 20