The 37-23 win Friday night at Jacket Stadium may not reflect the true grit of the contest. Comfort was coming to Llano in hopes of improving their record to 4-1, but another very strong second half by the Jackets moved Llano to a 4-1 record, and thus readied the Home Team for District Play that begins this week in Florence.

Llano again got off to a quick start. Sophomore Luke Davis threw to wide receiver Graham Prokop on the first play from scrimmage and Graham had Llano on the 36 yard line and a first down. On the second play, senior Colton Bailey took an end around hand off and went the distance, 61 yards and Llano lead 7-0 after senior Tate Morgan’s extra point kick.

Llano would manage only 2 net yards on its next three possessions and three punts by junior Jose Sillas. Comfort in the meantime scored twice in the first quarter. The Bobcats run the slot T that Llano has faced against both Jarrell and Marble Falls. Their first drive covered 48 yards and 7 plays. Junior JD Friday blocked the extra point, so Llano still lead 7-6. But the Bobcats came right back with a nine play drive and went ahead 12-7. Comfort did not throw a pass on their two touchdown drives. To add insult to injury, Comfort tried an onside kick after they went ahead, but a nice recovery by sophomore Kenny Greenwood covered the ball for Llano.

After punts from both teams, Llano had the ball on the 47 yard line. A pass from Luke to Trey Mote for 5 yards set up another long run for a TD by Luke, going 42 yards and Llano took the lead. Blocking by Will Landers, and Carson Stephenson help spring Luke for the score. The score was 13-12 with 8:43 left in the half. Comfort responded.

No passing…just straight hand offs of 0, 8, 1, 1 , 7, 2 yards until their tailback went 54 yards. One play later Comfort took the lead 18-13. Now it was the Jackets’ turn.

Graham caught an 18 yard pass from Luke. Trey picked up 4. Then Luke again to senior RJ Coplin for 20 yards an another first down. Luke ran for 18. And Trey carried it over for the TD. Strong blocking against Comfort by seniors Jaxon Johnson and Stephen Barrack put Llano up at half time 21-18, for the only time in the past three games.

The Jackets are now 4-1 all time against Comfort. I am sure this is the best team I have ever seen by the Bobcats. Also very sure the Bobcats defensive line may have been the best Llano has played this season. The lineman were big, quick and strong.

The second half was fun to watch, if you like close games. Comfort took the kick off and marched 7 plays down to the Jacket 36 yard line, where….junior JD Friday picked off their pass and put Llano in good position. Yet Llano was not able to move the ball against this defense. So the Jackets punted….except it went over Jose head…where he chased the ball to a point, and then protected the ball as it rolled out of the end zone for a touchback. A great heads up play by Sillas. The score was now 21-20…Llano.

Another exchange of punts and then Comfort had the ball on the Jackets 9 yard line after a 6 play drive. Comfort ran the ball right into the teeth of the Jackets. Tate, Gavin Hays, Niko Arms and Michael Logan along with Cole Kennedy and Logan Van Pelt halted the drive. Comfort then kicked a 26 yard field goal, and took the lead 23-21.

Comfort kicked off. On the first play, Trey went 40 yards for the TD and the lead 29-23. Again strong blocks from tight end Konrad Zwicke, junior Zach Driskel and junior James Greewood.

The fourth quarter, Llano put the game away. The Jacket defense was playing on all four cylinders. Junior Gavin Hays was all over the field making tackles. Cole Kennedy, Carsten Hayes and Austin Humphries had their best games this season. Nico Arms replaced one of the injured Jackets and played outstanding. Senior Wesley Whitaker and junior Isaiah Aguilar really stepped up when it was needed. Mario Hernandez is playing great on the inside of the line. And Tate had his usual outstanding night.

The Jackets took a step up against Comfort. The Jackets were in better condition than Comfort. The Bobcats were tired in the last quarter. Llano was still looking fresh. Luke carried twice for 8 yards, and Trey went 47 yards for the final score. He too scored the 2 points after the score and the score was 37-23.Toward the end of the game Gavin picked off a Bobcat pass to end all threats. Kenny Greenwood carries twice at the end for 37 yards. Blocking by Rice Thomas and Marshall Henderson and Ethan Griego put a finishing touch on this game that had 6 lead changes. Llano is now 4-1.

Lessons learned. I really think the inexperienced is becoming experienced. Learning that jumping to an early lead has little meaning over a 48 minute game. Learning to grab for more is more important than waiting for more to “just come”. The Jackets begin District this week with Florence. Florence beat Hico last week, and do not think for a moment that they don’t think right now, they are in the district race. Florence has 8 offensive and 8 defensive players returning from last year. I don’t think Florence will give the Jackets a real tough game. But this is where Llano must continue to improve. Score often…score and don’t look back You don’t let up when you get ahead. You put the foe away. Senior leadership can start to make this happen. The seniors got it started in the second half against Comfort. Seniors demand that it keep going.

Llano 38 Florence 7

What is right is not always popular. What is popular is not aways right.

If we played as hard when we are not in trouble as we do when we are in trouble, we would never be in trouble.

Lord, if there is any more trouble coming my way, send it now while I’m used to it.

Don’t wait for the BREAKS. Make them.