The Llano Yellow Jackets played a less than inspired game in Coleman Friday night and came home after a 26-20 loss to the 2-A school of West Texas.

The Jackets opened the first quarter with three straight possessions of three and outs. 13 yards on 9 plays, and three punts. One the other side of the ball, the Jacket defense played good enough to win. Coleman was intercepted on their first possession. Senior Charlie White got the interception in the first quarter and put the Jacket offense on the field at the 43 yard line.

After another Jacket punt by, the defense took the field and stopped the Blue Cats and forced a punt. Strong play by Linebackers Tate Morgan (16 tackles) and Fitz Kennedy (8 tackles). Senior Dusty Miller may have had his best game. 7 tackles. Sophomore JD Friday played well, as did junior Trey Mote, after missing last week. ( 6 tackles)

In the second quarter, Coleman mounted a drive that saw a 10 play drive, and making first downs on two fourth down tries. Coleman went ahead 8-0 with 6:03 left in the half.

Llano came right back with a 6 play drive and scored from four yards out with a run by Fitz. Quarterback Colton Bailey completed a pass to Alex Kachura for 39 yards down to the 32 yard line. RJ had two catches for short yardage. Trey had a carry for 3 yards and Colton made 10 yards and a first down. The score was 14-6 at halftime, after Coleman scored on 3 plays to end the half.

The Jacket defense allowed 113 yards rushing on 32 running plays. A 3.5 average. Not a bad defense. Hunter Brown and Frank Machuga in the down lineman positions played very good. Same can be said for senior JJ Vaughn. All three seniors play both offense and defense. Defensive backs, senior Jackson Hoot and sophomore Aiden Detwiler had good nights. Aiden got his first varsity interception in the third quarter, that set up Llano’s best opportunity, when Colton on first play hit RJ for a 29 yard TD pass, and the score was 20-20 with 5:37 left in the third quarter.

But the high point of the night was three plays before that. When Coleman went ahead in the third quarter, 20-6, the Blue Cats kicked off. RJ was there again. 76 yards later, RJ had his second kick off return for a TD in as many games. A first, as far as I know to ever happen. It looked like at this point the Jackets were going to roll. Yet, it never happened.

Llano threw an interception, and three plays later Coleman threw an 80 yard TD pass to take the 26-20 lead. Llano had the ball two more times. Only 43 total yards, a punt, and Coleman ran the clock out.

Maybe it was just a long week. Coming off the last minute win against Crockett may have carried over. Maybe looking ahead to District play. But the intensity did not look like it was there.

You can’t continue to jump off sides and start first and 15. You can’t miss easy tackles waiting for someone else to get there first. You can’t have turn overs. And you have to know every play could be your last. It is that brief.

In the Coleman football program, as I opened it this morning, I read: “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of will”….Vince Lombardi

The Jackets have got to find their will. The seniors on this team know what that is. And these seniors must start leading. Yes, many of the Jackets are first time varsity players. Being assertive sometimes does not come natural. But the will to win…the demanding of each other their most effort, on every single play. No plays off. And focus is not there when penalties are costing you games. Everyone must own up to the mistakes, and forge forward with unbridled enthusiasm.

I know the Coaches have told you players this…but everything is in front of you. You can win game # 22 straight on your home field. You can begin defending the District Crown that you have won three years in a row. The Jackets have not lost a district game since 2019. This team should go 8-2 in this regular season, and then the play offs will be fun. Make this season one to remember…for the ages. But you must find the will to make it a reality.

PREDICTION: Llano 31 SA Cole 0