The fighting Llano Yellow Jackets beat the 4AAAA Jarrell Cougars Friday night 21-14 for the third year in a row. Jarrell, a 4AAAA State Play off team, went into the dressing room at half time, holding a 14-13 lead over the Jackets. But another very strong defensive effort, and an offense that mustered enough to take the lead, and hold on when it counted the most.

As sports announcer of the Llano Yellow Jackets Art Dulgach said after the game, “this had to be one of the most exciting non- district games he had every announced.” Jarrell came to Llano with a new slot T offense that was nothing but stingy with the football. However, Llano on its first possession and on the third play, sophomore quarterback Luke Davis dropped back and then sprinted right up the middle for a 56 yard TD run. Tate Morgan kicked the extra point and Llano lead 7-0 with 10:44 left in the quarter.

Jarrell responded. 6 plays and 77 yards and the score was tied 7-7.

Jacket running back and senior Trey Mote did most of the heavy lifting. With runs of 13 yards on two carries, and junior Brayton Shaw running twice for 15 more before a fumble gave the ball back. Luke completed a pass to sophomore Cash Lynch that had Llano on the move before the turnover.

What might be one of those “never to know” statistics, Jarrell put on a show starting in the second period. The Cougars began with an 18 play drive. All running plays. Covering 72 yards…and 18 plays. I’ve never seen a team go 18 plays. No penalties. Just hardnose football. And remember, the Jackets were just as tough. Jarrell had only one run of 11 yards. The other 17 plays averaged 3.59 yards per carry. Jacket defenders lead by Tate, Carsten Hays, Gavin Hays, Cole Kennedy, Jose Sillas, Michael Logan and Logan Van Pelt were relentless. Colton Bailey coming up from the secondary showed the senior playing at the highest level. Senior Carter Bickett has become a menace from his safety position. And Juniors Austin Humphries and JD Friday are becoming so steady and reliable. All getting better every week.

But now Jarrell lead 14-7. So Llano stormed back. 17 yards by Trey on the ground. Luke ran for 2 more an a first down. Trey got 9 more on the ground, and taking the last four yards and scoring with 3:26 left in the half. The extra point was blocked, and as last week, the Jackets went into half time down 14-13. The Jacket offensive lineman played their best game. Senior Jaxon Johnson at center, and senior tackle Thomas Calderon are getting off the ball so much faster than at the beginning of this season. Juniors James Greenwood, Zach Driscal, Cason Stephenson and Ethan Griego helped Trey to his third over 100 yard game rushing. Seniors Will Landers, Marshall Henderson and Rice Thomas are major improvement players, and allowing Llano, too, to become a solid blocking running team.

Blocking is something you hear about, but few see. Junior “H-Back”/ tight end Konrad Zwicke has become a blocking master. Big, strong and smart. Saves so many plays when Luke and Trey and Brayton are looking for holes.

Only one pass was thrown in the third quarter. Luke threw an incompletion. Jarrell threw none. The Jackets ran 14 running plays for 72 yards. Trey, Brayton and Luke. Jarrell ran 10 plays for 24 yards. Losses by Jarrell were caused by great plays of by Austin, Carsten, and Michael Logan. A super game by sophomore Cole Kennedy from his defensive line position. Always full speed. Gavin Hays too had a great night on defense. And all would be tested in the fourth quarter.

At the end of the third quarter, Llano had driven down to the four yard line. 13 yards by Trey. 14 by Brayton. And on third down, Konrad slipped out into the end zone, where Luke found him for the TD pass and reception. This time Llano went for two. And Jose Sillas went into the end zone, and Luke too found him. Llano lead 21-14.

But the game had a long ways to go. In came the slot T offense. 2 yards, 9 yards, one yard, a 22 yard burst. An 11 yard gain. Jarrell was on the Jacket 9 yard line. 6 more…on the 3. A dive into the middle for two more. On the one. But the Jackets held. JD, RJ, Jose, and Carter were all there. Fourth down on the one. Jackets tackle for a one yard loss!!! A 15 play drive by the Cougars had been stopped. To Quote Art “Oh my”. And it still was not over.

In the shadows of the goal post, Llano made 5 yards on two plays. They could not afford to give the ball back to Jarrell. Third down. Between offensive coordinator Ryan Priem and Head Coach Matt Green, someone had faith in throwing a pass! Llano had only thrown 6 passes all night. Luke a quick drop back, and a strike to senior RJ Coplin on the East sideline…11 yards and a first down. The Jackets then put the ball into the hands of Trey who ran 6 straight plays for 29 plus yards out to the 45 yard line, and :17 seconds left to play. Jose came in and safely punted where two plays later the game was over. Whoa!

Llano had beaten two 4AAAA schools in as many weeks. Jarrell was 3-0 coming into the game. Llano has now won 24 of their last 26 games played in Jacket stadium. Tradition anyone?

All was so positive, but one exception. Junior running back Brayton Shaw left the game late and it looked like a bad injury. Brayton had 50 yards in the game rushing, and they were all crucial plays, picking up three first down. Such a great young back and so compatible with the way Trey runs. All look forward to his recovery and return.

The 3-1 Jackets host old foe Comfort this week. The Bobcats went two deep into the play offs last year, and this season are in the district with Blanco. They return a running back who had 1,975 yards last season with 20 TDs…an three experienced linemen returning. Never a week off. But as mentioned a few weeks ago, every week “get better”. The Jackets are getting better.

Llano 31 Comfort 12

After the game, Kay and I rush back to the car where the radio is turned to 102.9 and to listen to Art and his interviews….And the old “Homer” he is, Art was going on to defensive coordinator Matt Anastasio and how unbelievable the defense played…and what may have been said at half time? And a quote I hope to remember forever, “Coach A” said…Art, I did not make one single tackle tonight”!!

A few other quotes to remember: “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” Henry Ford

If you ain’t the lead dog, the scenery never changes…..Buddy Ryan

AND…The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win. Vince Lombardi