The Fighting Llano Yellow Jackets have one of the most challenging and exciting season in recent memory lying ahead. Coming off a disappointing 5-5 season in 2023, the Jackets just work harder. Having been to the State Play-offs 8 of the past 10 years, Llanos’ expectations are high for 2024. Not making the play offs last season was totally unexpected. With three weeks left in the regular season last November, I was not just talking about making the play offs, but winning the District.

To briefly summarize, Llano beat 4AAAA Jarrell in the opener of last year. Jarrell made the play offs. Llano beat 5AAAAA Austin Crockett in Llano. Crockett not only made the play offs, but won their Bi District game. Only their second State Play off game victory in the history of their school, all while playing with a Division 1 Quarterback who is now at Texas Tech.

Then District begins against a very strong San Antonio Cole team. Llano walks away with a 37-0 win. The Jackets followed that up with a sound beating of District foe Lulling. The Jackets are sitting at 2-0 in District play, and what looked like a rolling machine, turns out to be a wagon with a few loose screws. Nothing major. But major enough to allow District foes Marion and Randolph to beat the Jackets.

District 13-3A Division 1 has changed. We add Florence. Lulling, Randolph, Marion and Ingram stay the same. 5 District games. The pre district schedule also has changed.

The Jackets begin the season with a team Llano has never beat. The Lytle Pirates are 2-0 against the Jackets all time. Lytle is another one of the places that you can’t get there from here!! The last time we played, the game was at Lytle. I could not find the town. But I found the stadium. Bad to say, but the Jackets failed to show up that night.

Then Llano plays an old foe, Comanche. The Indians have a very good program, having been to the play offs for many years. Last season Comanche was 8-5. Three deep into the play offs. And with 4 and 5 players returning from last year, they will be ready for the Jackets as we travel to Comanche.

Looking very forward to playing our close neighbor, the Marble Falls Mustang. Llano is 30-20-2 all time against the Mustangs. The 4AAAA school is in a deadly district. The Mustangs line up against Stephenville, Brownwood, Lampasas and Burnet. That is tough. And the Mustangs will be thinking Llano could be there opportunity to win a big game.

The Jackets get Jarrell at home on 20th of September at Jacket Stadium. Llano is 2-0 all time against the Cougars. Jarrell has a quarterback that threw for 2,598 yards last season with 28 TD passes. The Cougars will be in Llano to settle some scores. This will be a tough home game.

And the last pre district game is against Comfort. Llano is 4-0 all time against the Bobcats. Comfort was 6-6 last season, winning their Bi District game in 3AAA Div. 11. They have a running back returning who had 1,975 yards last season, and 20 TDs. They too will be prepping for their district play.

It will be fun. Always is with Coach Matt Green and one of the top coaching staffs anywhere. But most important, Llano has the best kids. They’re Llano Yellow Jackets.