The Llano Yellow Jackets found their own hornets nest last Friday night in Comanche, falling by the score of 34-21 and squaring their season record to 1-1.

Who would have thunk? Comanche kicked off to Llano, and RJ Coplin took it all the way back for a 90 yard score. Senior Tate Morgan kicked the extra point thru and Llano lead 7-0 with less than 20 seconds gone. Maybe it was too easy.

What was odd is that there was no let down. The Jacket defense came right back on the field and forced a three and out. Carter Bickett and Tate forced a punt. Llano’s first series was nothing to talk about, but why take any chances. Comanche gets the ball back, drives 8 plays, but again, punts.

I really thought that at this point the Jackets were waiting for that right moment. But, it never came. On Comanche’s next possession, on first down, the Indian’s quarterback went 56 yards nearly untouched to tie the score 7-7.

From my view, the air was out of the balloon. Llano punted on its next three possessions before half. Comanche score again. It was 14-7 at half time. My concern was Llano only had 48 yards of offense in the first half.

The second half started strong. For Comanche. The Indians took the kick off and in 5 plays scored. 21-7. The Jackets settled down a bit. Sophomore quarterback Luke Davis handed the ball to Trey Mote 4 times for 17 yards. Luke ran twice for 15 more. And Luke threw to Carter for gains of 14 and the final 13 yards and a TD. 21-14.

But to no avail. Comanche came right back and scored in 4 plays. 28-14. And then scored again early in the fourth quarter. 34-14. Llano just never looked comfortable. Trey scored from three yards out late in the game to close the gap to 34-21.

I’ve said this a hundred times. “There never is a good loss”…I may hedge that statement. I only count three Jackets on offense that you can say are returning starters from last season. The inexperience of game like conditions raised its head in Comanche.

Llano hit everything right against Lytle. Nothing went right for the Pirates. And the scoring was perfect. But when things don’t go right, leadership has to come forward. Leadership was needed Friday night against Comanche. And Llano may not see a quarterback as good until we play Randolph in late October. Llano can play against and beat good players, but they have to be ready from the beginning, and be ready for glitches. And then over come each and every one. Being prepared mentally in a game that you get behind. Be ready for all issues, and over come them. We have some great seniors on this team. Now is the time for all of them to take control of this team, and meet their own expectations.

And Llano gets to greet and old, old foe., Marble Falls. The Jackets last played the Mustangs in 2007, and won 26-14. Marble Falls is a large 4A school, with nearly 1,200 enrollment. We have a lifetime series of 31 Jacket wins, and 20 losses to go with two ties. About 30 years ago, Marble Falls, Burnet, and Lampasas were all in the same district with the Jackets.

The Jackets opportunity here is to regroup, and come out mad as h….! And take it to the Mustangs early. And even if that doesn’t work, be prepared to overcome all obstacles. Be prepared to win. May take all four quarters. But expect to win. And don’t be surprised if it doesn’t come easy. It was once said that successful people are not looking for easy. Llano 31 Marble Falls 16

A new small feature. The Jacket fans that may remember head football Coach Karl McCormack. And while he was a very winning coach in Llano, he may be best remembered as one of the very best defensive coaches Llano has ever had. Only since Llano defensive coordinator Matt Anastasio came to Llano can I say “we have the best”. But Karl collected things. He recorded every bowl game that was on TV for a decade, and then studied them. Everyone. And he collected “locker Room Slogans and Quotes” His words, not mine. 56 pages, single spaced. 1,101 of them. Without Karl’s permission to print a few here every week. And for you that would like a copy of these, come by my office, and I’ll make you a copy. Thank you Karl

Experience is not what happens to a man. Experience is what a man does with what happens to him…….Chuck Knox

The only people that never fail are the ones that never try.

After all is said and done…more is said than done.

A loss is forever. And a win only last until Monday. Last year’s game will probably stay with me until I’m dead……Dennis Erickson