The 2023 Llano Yellow Jackets kicked off District 13-3A with a win in a solid 37-0 victory over San Antonio Cole. With the exception that RJ Coplin did not return a kick off for a touchdown, it was the best over all outing by the Jackets this year. The 3-2 Jackets now head to Lulling this Friday night to play a much improved 2-3 Lulling team.

To try and recap Friday night: Llano played two quarterbacks. Junior Colton Bailey threw for 63 yards on a 5 for 10 throwing night. Colton ran 8 times for 55 more yards. Freshman Luke Davis passed 10 times and completed 8 for 110 yards. Both quarterbacks threw a TD pass.

Llano had 6 players run the football. Junior Trey Mote started the game and ended with 66 yards rushing. Senior Kaleb Payten started the second half and got Llano started with a strong run, then moved to receiver and caught two passes. Llano had 6 players catch passes, with RJ catching 4 for 51 yards and a TD catch. Senior Alex Kachura caught 3 passes for 60 yards. Senior Jacob Hernandez had a catch for 8 yards, and Parker Parish had a catch for 12 yards. And while a surprise that senior Charlie White had a catch for 11 yards and a TD, Charlie’s best night was playing defense. Colton moved over to receiver where Luke found him for a big 27 yard gain down to the three yard line where senior Fitz Kennedy took it in for the score.

Llano was never in trouble in this game. The 24-0 halftime score reflects that. But the defense controlled the game. The defense forced two punts in the first half, and Cole tried to make first downs on three fourth down possessions. The defense held all three times. Outstanding play by Fitz at linebacker. Junior Tate Morgan at linebacker. Charlie White got an interception in the fourth quarter. Logan Van Pelt got a sack in the first quarter. And Dusty Miller had one of his best nights on defense.

Freshman Carlos Sapula kicked true after the first two Jacket TDs, and then in the second quarter, kicked a 31 yard field goal. Llano’s punting game is steady with senior Cooper McWilliams. His one punt was for 34 yards. Cooper also went into the game in the fourth quarter, carrying the ball on five straight plays, gaining 40 yards, before Hayden came in a carried down to the 14 yard line. Luke hit Jacob for 7 yards and then Carlos came in to try another field goal. Everyone got into the act, and Dusty’s 36 yards on 6 carries was a highlight.

Sophomore JD Friday continues to get better. As does junior Carter Bickett. Both in the secondary. Sophomore Aiden Detwiler and senior Jackson Hoot had their best nights as Jackets. Sophomore Brayton Shaw looks healthy again, and played on both offense and defense. Good solid night.

Maybe the most improved of the night was the offensive line. Seniors Dylan Kennedy, Frank Machuga and Hunter Brown are usually playing both ways. Their most improved play lead the offense and defense. JJ Vaughn maybe the best of the lot. Wrote down number 62 many times. And the return of senior Billy Everhart at center cannot be measured. Great return night by the senior. Josh Cooper keeps improving. Juniors Thomas Caldron and Stephen Barrack are welcome relief.

Most all of these lineman play defense. Konrad Zwicke, as sophomore, and senior Forrest Homesley had quality plays against Cole. The Jackets still had 10 penalties. A must area to improve. And improve a bunch. Most seems to being unfocused at the moment. 5 maybe….not 10.

The Yellow Jackets now have won 22 straight home games. Easily a school record. That is something every senior will remember…when they are my age!

The Jackets have now won 16 straight district games. Another school record. Going back to the last district game in 2019. Then 4 in 2020…4 in 2021…and 6 last year. And still counting, this year.

The District is better this year, Ingram is 4-0. Randolph is 5-0. Blanco, rated in the top 12 by Harris rating is 4-1.

The “WILL” showed up Friday night. The will to get better. The will to be better. And understanding how important getting better each week is. Can only get better with concentrated practices. And getting better against Lulling.

Llano 45 Lulling 12