The contest aganst Florence Friday should give caution to Jacket Nation. The 58-0 halftime lead did not reflect the real score. Our guest for Llano’s Homecoming were a woeful team. Their first two possessions had fumbles, and their first quarter netted 22 yards on 13 plays. Llano played solid football against a much weaker team. But small mistakes loom. 4 penalties in the first half…not good.

The Jackets had a torrid first quarter. 101 yards passing by junior quarterback Luke Davis connecting on 3 of 4 passes. Senior tight end Konrad Zwicke hauled in the first pass for 20 yards and the Jackets first score. Senior running back Brayton Shaw snatched the second completion and went 60 yards for the TD. And with Luke’s third completion, he hit senior Graham Prokop for 21 yards down to the Buffaloe’s 39 yard line. Luke then took it the remainder of the way on the next play, and a Jacket 20-0 lead . Llano ran the ball four times in the first quarter. Senior Jose Sillas on the first play from scrimmage had a 33 yard run. He followed that up with an 18 yard run. And on his third carry of the quarter, ran for 19 yards and the TD. 70 yards on three carries for Jose.

The Jackets came to play and to hit. Defensively Jackets that stood out were senior Grayson Lille at safety. JD Friday had his usual solid game at safety. Senior Austin Humphries was oustanding.

In the first quarter, Austin fielded two punts. He ran both back for touchdowns. Both were called back. Maybe a record!..Junior Mario Hernandez in the middle of the defensive line has been outstanding all year. Junior Cole Kennedy is a menace at defensive end. And defensive lineman junior Nick Light continues to improve. Really solid. Junior Kincade Rodriguez got valuable time in the game. Love the play of our linebackers. Senior Isaiah Aguilar, junior Cody Greenwood and senior Niko Arms, junior Evan Gomez and for the first time this year, we got to see senior linebacker Gavin Hayes. Gavin, returning from an injury, comes at a great time

Junior Jason Cherry is starting to make plays on defense. Junior Scott Henderson and senior James Greenwood were in on stops. Junior Logan Robinson has been consistent all year. All making this defense strong and ready for more stronger test in just a few weeks.

Luke completed two passes in the second quarter. A 57 yard TD pass to junior Cash Lynch, and a 55 yard TD pass to Austin Humphries. Seems like his name has come up sometime before! But at the end of the second quarter, and the entire second half, Llano did not throw another pass. Senior running back River Thomison had five carries for about 35 yards. Senior William Foley had five carries for about 25 yards. Senior George Gallucci had 7 carries and three first downs. Senior Grayson Lille had a five yard TD run at quarterback. And kicker senior Francisco Parravano kicked 7 of 7 extra points.

Extra effort…River…Brayton…Isaiah…George…Jason…Kaden Cruz…William…Josiah Wood…Caden White had an interception…all came to play in the Jackets first district game. All special effort…even in the kicking game and coverage.

Senior Brady Kelly blocks very good when he does not have the ball. So does senior Emerson Pool. Senior Lane Weston had a good night blocking. Greenwood, Light, Zach Driscal, Hayden Bigger and Cooper Scott all got in valuable playing time. The line, lead by Cason Stephenson , Dylan Smith and Xander Cruz are getting our running game going. And the return of Ethan Griego is big….

Llano has another text this week. Lulling will be stronger than Florence. But maybe not by alot. The Jackets must stay focused. And it is hard to do. While Llano can have fun this week, but the eye cannot be taken off the ball. Those penalties…come on guys….think…most players know the front of a helmet from the back. Those will be hard penalties against Randolph and Marion. This game is where you get better. The BYE week comes next…then the meat of the DISTRICT schedule. Getting better every week….this week included is the path to your goals.

Might be of some interest. The Jackets five non-district opponents…Lytle, Comanche, Jarrell, Comfort and Marble Falls…are a combined 20-8 right now. I still expect Jarrell to win their 4-AAAA district. And Lytle, Comanche and Comfort should all make the playoffs.

The Jackets are 5-1. And playing good football. Let’s start playing great football.

Llano 64 Lulling 12