The 41-0 win against Comfort last Friday night had to be rewarding to the Jackets in the light of playing much better against a slot t offense, and the fact that the Jacket offense was humming. The Jackets put together another slow start, but hard to complain as the score was 20-0 at half time and finished with 41 points. The Jackets have averaged 47.4 points per game, while giving up 17.6 points per game.

In comparison, last season the Jackets defense gave up 16.8 points per game in the first five games, while the offense averaged 29.2 points per game. And on this subject, great to see Comanche, Lytle, and Jarrell all winning this past Friday. I really expect Jarrell to win their 4-AAAA District. And that means beating both Wimberley and Navarro. 4-AAAA power houses over the years.

The Jackets’ first drive was 10 plays and resulted in a Jose Sillas punt. Comforts’ first three plays ended in a minus 13 yards and a punt. Linebacker Niko Arms had one of his best games. Safety Grayson Lille was in top form, making tackle after tackle. And the night saw three Jacket interceptions. Seniors Brady Kelly and JD Friday each took one out of the air from Comfort, and Jose had one in the second quarter and took it to the house from over 50 yards out. This was Jose’s second returned interception for a TD this season.

Comfort too ran the slot t offense. It is 3 yards and a cloud of dust. No mistake, this was not Jarrell. But Llano handled it much better. The Jacket defense forced the first five running plays of the Bobcats to loss yardage, and Llano did not give up a completed pass until deep into the second quarter. Junior Cole Kennedy may have had his best game. Was all over the field. Junior Mario Hernandez had several stops for losses. And Logan Robinson, a junior continues to get better. Junior Josh Wood is a player…play after play. Junior linebacker Cody Greenwood made life unpleasant for Comfort and had several key stops. And I continued to write down # 25. Senior Isaiah Aguillar…great night against Comfort.

The Jackets effort was tops. On special teams I see Grayson going down hard to cover kicks. And kicker Francisco Parravano made the tackle of the night in the stop of a kick off that looked like the Comfort returner was going all the way…but with a great open field tackle, Francisco made the stop. Senior linebacker William Foley made the tackle on a kick off and senior Graham Prokop hustled his way down field to make several stops. This kind of hustle makes winning teams.

Junior quarterback Luke Davis had 13 completions to 8 different receivers. Cash Lynch stretched the field with a run and catch for 72 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Konrad Zwicke had four catches for 63yards and a TD. Austin Humphries had two catches for 62 yards and two TDs’. Please correct me…but without review, I think Luke has 18 TD passes thru five games. Graham, Jose, Brady, Brayton Shaw and junior Caden White also had catches Friday night. Folks…that is spreading the ball around.

Blocking has improved every week…yes even against Jarrell. See junior Emerson Pool downfield blocking. River Thomison protects well when Luke drops back to pass. Jason Cherry and Konrad at tight end do a good job. And thinking Zach Driscal and Cason Stephenson are really good on the offensive line. Junior Scott Henderson and senior James Greenwood are ones making this offense work.

Now the games start that count. We are not tricking anyone in saying Florence is a great football team. But as we should remember, last year they played hard the first half on their home field. They will play hard against the Jackets this Friday night, Llano’s HOMECOMING GAME. But the only way the Jackets can realize their goals this year…is to get better every week…even against teams that we are much better…work on no penalties…no turnovers…perfect routes, quicker releases…snappier passes…all goes into getting better. The Jackets know that this team…could be special…but only as they continue to improve. Because we know…Llano will play teams that are more talented and more athletic. You beat those teams by being smart and playing perfect football…the goal of the 2025 Jackets.

Llano 63- Florence 0