The Llano Yellowjackets most likely will be playing for Pride Friday night in Ingram, as San Antonio Cole won this past weekend over Marion. Last week I said that Cole needed to win in order for Llano to still have have a chance to make the state playoffs. Actually Cole needed to lose. I was wrong…Cole won, and will have an opportunity to take part of the 13-3AAA District crown should they beat Blanco this week.

Being so odd, the Jackets played their best game this season, beating Cole five weeks ago 37-0 in Llano. Cole went on to win their next four district games to set up their contest with Blanco. Even should Cole lose, they will go into the state playoffs with a 4-2 district record. The Jackets have a 2-3 record in district play, and can finish 3-3 with a win over a surprising Ingram team. Marion too can finish the district schedule at 3-3 this week with a win over Lulling. But their win over the Jackets back on October 13th would give them the nod for the fourth play off spot. Should Marion fall on its face at Lulling, the Jackets would be back in play, providing Llano beats Ingram.

There are so many reasons the Jackets fell short of their goals this year. Injuries first…inexperience second, bad penalties in bad spots third, and turnovers fourth. Those are enough excuses. And I just thought of a 5th reason. Maybe the Jackets had too high of expectations. The Jackets expected more of themselves. And there is no reason to say that is a bad thing. Each and every player expected more of themselves. And every player gave all he had. No one gave less. I guess that is why there is so much pride in being a Yellowjacket.

I can only presume Marion will beat a very weak Lulling team. Going forward, the Jackets need to beat Ingram. For the seniors it is very important. While a 5-5 record is not what they had expected, it is still been an honorable season. Beat a 4AAAA school in the first game of the season in Jarrell. Beat 5-A Austin Crockett for the second year in a row. Crockett has already qualified for the state playoffs in their tough 5-A district out of Austin. Total domination what now looks like a very good San Antonio Cole team, possibly the best team in the district. Winning at Ingram makes for a good handoff from the seniors to next year’s Jacket team.

The Jackets have made the state playoffs the last eight years. 9 years ago, the 2014 team went 2-8, the last regular losing season. The Jackets went 5-5 in 2017, made the playoffs but lost in Bi-District.. That was head Coach Matt Greens first year in Llano. It has been a great run. And this years seniors, many on the 2021 team, have seen 6 playoff games, four playoff wins, and maybe 26 wins. A pretty good run.

Ingram is a pretty good team. They have a 5-4 record, and can have their first winning season in a very long time, should they beat Llano. Ingram lost to SA Cole only by the score of 24-14. And SA Randolph score was only 14-6! And then scored 41 last week against Blanco! These guys are expecting something good to happen to them….like beating a Jacket team that looks beatable. No doubt, the Jackets must bring their A Game. Dumb penalties and turnovers must be limited to none. The seniors last road trip. Lets make it memorable.

Llano 42 Ingram 20