The Llano YellowJackets beat Marion last Friday night 44-27 to move their District record to 4-0 and play Ingram this Friday night for sole possession of the District crown. It seems each week we are playing in order to take command of the standings. Marion and Ingram both had matched Llano up to this point. Ingram had beaten Marion, but a loss would have caused havac. Llano did not allow that to happen. Ingram comes to Llano to play at Jacket Stadium.

When you begin the game without your starting quarterback. When your starting senior safety moves over to play quarterback and start his first game at quarterback. When your number 2 and number three running backs are out for the game. You might begin to worry. Then your number one running back is in a car mishap, but still insist on playing despite an injured leg. What to do?

Senior Grayson Lilie has started at safety all season. Junior quarterback Luke Davis, with 27 starts at quarterback was injured in the Randolph game. Lilie took over and handled that win. And then started Friday night while Davis continues to heal. Grayson completed 3 of 4 passes in the first quarter for 34 yards. He ran twice for two first downs on the first drive. He threw a 35 yard TD pass to senior tight end Konrad Zwicke in the second quarter. He had no turnovers. He had no interceptions. He was just what the doctor ordered.

Jose Sillas lead all Jackets in production. Jose had 17 carries in the first half of the game for 77 yards. Grayson had 74 yards passing in the first half. Llano lead 27-13 at halftime. The game never seemed in doubt. But Marion kept coming back. Their running back was outstanding, maybe the best Llano has faced since the two running backs from Jarrell. The defense held Marion to about 90 yards of offense in the first half.

Josiah Wood started at safety this week. His interception at the end of the first half showed his reediness. The Jackets defensive line was…again…outstanding. Juniors Cole Kennedy, Mario Hernandez, Nick Light, Evan Gomez, Logan Robinson and senior George Gallucci were lights out all night long. Marion only had two runs for more than 10 yards. Marion had less than 70 yards rushing for the game. That’s good football. JD Friday and Austin Humphries were outstanding. Junior Jason Cherry had a strong game at linebacker. And too, junior Cody Greenwood. Senior Nicko Arms at linebacker with an interception is helping to make this unit very good.

One surprise. In the second quarter after Llano scored on a 4 yard run by freshman Cole Landers, Llano’s Francisco Parravano kicked off and Marion ran it back for a touchdown! In the past, Francisco has made that last tackle to prevent such happenings. Must have gotten blocked. No worry. Francisco came back in the fourth quarter and kicked a 24 yard field goal to extend the Jacket lead to 37-20.

Other highlights included Evan Gomez snuffing out a fake punt. Jose having over 120 yards rushing. Freshman Landers having 112 yards rushing and two rushing TDs. Senior Gavin Hays getting “Weller” and better each week. JD blocking another extra point. Junior Cash Lynch caught another touchdown pass along with 4 other catches. Senior Graham Prokop had a great catch in the first quarter and another in the third quarter.

And this was all made possible by offensive line blocking. In no certain order, but leading this group is junior center Dylan Smith. Seniors Cason Stephenson, Zach Driskel, James Greenwood, Ethan Griego, Cooper Scott, Lane Wesson, and Hayden Bigger. Juniors Camren Smith, Scott Henderson, and Nick Light. These guys are doing a tremendous job.

Ingram of all people! 4-0 in district play. They have beaten everyone to get to this game. Ingram…going back a few years, has gotten better every year. This year they seem to be loaded. They have 13 starters back from last years team that made the play offs. Their quarterback returns as well as their best receiver. They will be traveling to Llano in hopes of winning a district championship.

The difference in Llano over the past 9 seasons, is Llano expects to win. This is not arrogance. What has happened in Llano since Head Coach Matt Green has been here since 2017, is a culture change. An attitude change. The Jackets have won district 4 of the last 5 seasons, going undefeated in those four seasons. This season will be 5 of 6 seasons…undefeated. Since Coach Green came to Llano, the Jackets are 36-7 on our home field. And over the past seven seasons, Llano is 32-1 at Jacket Stadium. This week, even without River Thomison, or Brayton Shaw, or Luke, or maybe even Jose…Llano expects to win.

Llano 49

Ingram 21