The Llano Yellow Jackets ran over the lowly Lulling Eagles Friday night at the Homecoming game at Jacket Stadium. The Jackets secured the 49-0 win by scoring the first four times they had the football, and playing shut down defense. A relief to most Jacket fans is that Llano came out from the opening kick off and never looked back. The win was the 25th win in the last 27 games played at Jacket Stadium.

Llano now stands at 6-1 for the season, and more important, have a 2-0 record in District 13-3AAA.

As a reminder, last season the Jackets started district play at 2-0, but then found the going awful tough, losing the next 3 games. The Jackets have this week off , so getting well and rested is likely the biggest item on the Jacket menu. The showdown of the year comes next week as Llano travels to S.A. Randolph for what will be the best avenue to a district championship. The undefeated Ro-Hawks return a slew of last years’ starters, as well as their top two offensive backs. But that is next week.

There is no kidding anyone, Lulling is not a very good football team. But what I saw as best is that Llano came into this game, “playing itself”. Not worried about what the Eagles could do, but what Llano could do, and improve from the 6 previous games.

Llano scored on its third play from scrimmage. Sophomore Luke Davis first threw to junior Graham Prokop for 25 yards. A run by senior Trey Mote put the jJckets on the Eagles 36 yard line. This time Luke went long to sophomore Cash Lynch for the score….senior Tate Morgan kicked true, and the Jackets were ahead 7-0.

Lulling ran 8 plays in the first quarter. Made a grand total of 10 totals yards. And were forced to punt three times. Its really unfair to mention just a few Jackets that played so good, and then leave out a few more. But someone was making so many tackles. Linebackers Gavin Hays likely had the most. Tate was there time after time to stop the Eagles. And the defensive line can be most responsible for that. The lineman kept the blockers off the linebackers. Sophomore Cole Kennedy, Junior Hayden Bigger, and seniors Michael Logan, Logan Van Pelt and Isaiah Hernandez had really good games. Jose Sillas and Niko Arms are just getting better. And no one plays harder than junior Carsten Hays. Senior Wesley Whitaker is such a valuable player, and when he gives some players a breather, there is no drop off. Senior Colton Bailey is playing at an all district level…so steady. every week. Llano’s defense is averaging giving up 14 points a game. That number will win football games. And the two shutouts matches the 2022 Jacket teams, and they finished 13-1! Defensive Coordinator Matt Anastasio has his players peaking at the right time.

Offensive coordinator Ryan Priem has got to be awful proud. The Jacket offense is averaging nearly 33 points a game.

Injuries are just part of the game. It breaks your heart when you see these, and especially when a player losses the entire season. The loss of junior running back Brayton Shaw is an example. Brayton will return for his senior year, so the ‘ole saying “next one up”..I thought Brayton was such a great contrast to the running style of Trey Mote, so the concern was crippling in my mind. Next man, or men up…here comes sophomore Cody Greenwood, James’ little brother. Great first burst. And the running of junior Jose Sillas. Just power. Junior Brady Kelly too got into the mix, running 3 times for 23 yards…..Trey can now take a breather. The running backs are in good hands, and Coach Priem knows how to use them all four!

For a short highlight film…Luke hit senior RJ Coplin for the next TD and a 35 yard toss and run. Trey carries over from the eight yard line and Llano lead 21-0. Junior Konrad Zwicke caught a 22 yard pass from Luke on the fourth drive as Luke carries for the final 18 yards and with…again, Tate’s extra point made it 28-0. Then on the first play of the Jackets’ 6th series from the Jackets’ 40 yard line, Luke again threw to Konrad who literally threw off several pesky Eagles and then showed off for all to see, a great burst of speed down the sidelines for a 60 yard touchdown. Before half, Llano was ahead 35-0…..Oh, but wait,…the defense forced another three and out, a punt, and a poor punt let the Jackets have the ball on the Eagles 25 yard line. Luke said he would take care of this, and on the first play, hit Graham Prokop for the 25 yard TD pass. Now….42-0

Continued great plays by junior JD Friday kept the Eagles on the outside looking in. Two more forced punts in the third quarter and twice the Eagles went for first downs on fourth down. Both times the Jackets made the stops. Carsten, Mario Hernandez, and outstanding tackles by sophomore Cole Kennedy and senior Isaiah Hernandez “Just said No”…

One of the best, and most important plays of the game came in the fourth quarter. Luke threw an interception and the linebacker for Lulling ran it nearly all the way into the end zone, but someone…and I did not get their jersey number never quit hustling…I think a Jacket offensive lineman… pulled the Eagle ball carrier down on the three yard line. That Jacket player told me alot about this team….being ahead 49-0 was still not enough. It meant so much to that player to somehow, preserve the shutout. And his defensive teammates came thru for him….Coach A’s defense forced three loss plays, where Lulling lined up to break that shutout with a field goal try from the 21 yard line. This was going to be easy for the Eagles….but again….the Jackets said no…I think JD Friday blocked the try. The shut out saved. Players till playing hard deep into the fourth quarter…man it is fun being a Llano Yellow Jacket.

We’ll talk more in a few days….a needed and deserved rest, and fans and players alike…getting ready for Randolph.