The 2025 Llano YellowJackets rolled over the Randolph Ro Hawks 35-0 Friday night in a game that was called after three quarters due to weather. The lightning was close, and soon came the hard rain and winds. You never saw so many fans leave the stands as quick as you did Friday night. And Randolph fans were not sad to see the game called after three quarters.

Llano wasted little time in setting the tone for the game. Llano scored first with 7:03 in the first quarter. Junior Luke Davis scored from 5 yards out. Luke was starting his 27 game as the LHS starting quarterback. Luke’s record as the starter is 21-6.

Luke completed passes to junior Cash Lynch for 15 yards and 12 yards to senior Austin Humphries. Seniors Brayton Shaw and Jose Sillas each carried the ball three times. Senior Cason Stephenson and senior James Greenwood were monsters in the line blocking. But it was not until Luke hit Cash for a 51 yard gain down to the 19 yard line before Llano was able to score.

The Jacket defense has three shutouts so far this year. Randolph had 8 plays in the first quarter and had 24 yards of offense. No one has played better than senior Gavin Hays. Gavin has been out with an early season injury until just two weeks ago. He is making up for lost time. Several times he has made tackles one after the other. And on kick offs, he leads that parade, first down field to make sure there is no return. Gavin is playing at the highest level. Not far behind is senior Austin Humphries. Leads the team in interceptions. And speaking of interceptions, I think JD Friday is tied with Austin, as JD picked off one in the third quarter and ran it back 29 yards. The Jackets scored off that turnover to put the score at 35-0.

The Jacket secondary is as good as I can remember. Senior Grayson Lille at safety is just so good, and seems to always be in the right position to stop a play…. Grayson with JD and Austin are a savvy threesome. Throw in juniors Caden White, Josiah Wood and Emerson Pool and the Jackets are in great shape on the back end of the defense. Senior Niko Arms plays somewhere. He sometimes has the most tackles. Not only does defensive coordinator Coach Michael McLeod keep opposing teams confused, I am confused. Maybe Niko is a linebacker.

All of this works because the defensive line is very disruptive. Juniors Cole Kennedy, Mario Hernandez, Nick Light and Logan Robinson are so good. Put lots of pressure on the quarterback…every play. Throw in newcomer junior Evan Gomez and senior George Gallucci and their play makes the secondaries job look easy! It works because everyone does his job.. I had the Ro Hawks gaining less than 100 total yards. One thing I can’t stop thinking about. This Ro Hawks team was 10-3 last season and took Llano to the last minute of play last year before we escaped Ro Hawks Stadium. Randolph had 7 returning starters from last years team.

Marion was listed as the 25th best football team in Class 3 AAA by DC Texas Football in July. They lost earlier this year to 4 AAAA Lago Vista. And last week they lost to Ingram I really consider that an upset. The 40-33 score was a surprise. I think Marion was looking ahead to the Llano game. And by looking ahead, the Bulldogs were caught napping. Senior Quarterback Cade Pape returns along with 12 other starters. Marion will not be asleep Friday night. One wise Jacket insider said the Bulldogs were the team to worry about.

I have not heard any updates on the injury to Llano quarterback Luke Davis. Luke had just begun the Jacket’s third series when he went down with a leg injury, and out of caution, did not return. Luke had completed four passes for 93 yards and then he scored from 5 yards out. Senior Grayson Lille took Luke’s place, and performed beautifully. Grayson completed 8 passes for 113 yards, the longest to senior Brady Kelly for 36 yards. The shortest to senior tight end Konrad Zwicke. If this were a basketball game, Konrad would be playing above the rim. His tremendous leap was high and short. Three yards down to the 9 yard line. We need Luke back, and we don’t need to lose Grayson out of the secondary.

Up to this date…two things. The Jackets have not been reading their press and rankings. And they have not looked ahead. Winning the District Championship is the goal. Getting that first round bye to play # 4 in District 14 3AAA is so important. Being 8-1 really important.

Llano 31 Marion 16