The Llano Yellow Jackets gave fans something to talk about Friday night as they beat Ingram 34-14 in the 13-3AAA showdown for the DISTRICT CROWN. The game certainly was one of two halves. The win gives the Jackets the Championship for the 5th time in 6 seasons. Undefeated in district play those 5 seasons, and Llano now has a 33-1 record playing at home over the past 6 years.

The game was not what was expected. In Coach Matt Green’s radio interview with Art Dlugach after the game, Green said that Ingram did nothing that Llano prepared for. Ingram made up their minds to stop the Llano run. Mission accomplished. The Jackets ran the ball 16 times for 58 yards in the first half. Average half of the usual Jacket production. Had it not been for the 54 yard run by senior River Thomison in the second quarter the game might have gotten ugly. Ingram set out to throw the ball. Something they had done very little of before the Llano Game. Mission accomplished. Ingram threw the ball 25 times in the first half and completed 14 for 142 yards. Had it not been for junior linebacker Cody Greenwoods interception, Ingram would have been near perfect.

If you can believe this, Llano lead at half-time 20-14. The Jacket passing game under the senior leadership of back up quarterback Grayson Lilie was right on. TD passes from Lilie to junior Cash Lynch for 55 yards and 61 yards were electrifying. Catches and runs both. And in the second quarter Grayson found senior tight end Konrad Zwicke open for a 9 yard TD reception.

What happened at half-time was more important than many things I have ever seen. Usually at halftime I scribble the stats down so to see a trend. There was a trend alright. And it did not favor Llano. Ingram with their undefeated district record had come to play.

Green said at half-time the Jackets changed their defense and their blocking schemes Offensive coordinator Ryan Priem and offensive line coach Colton Center “made some adjustments” in the blocking. Coach Robbie Coplin and Coach Ryan Norwood had their receivers at top form. Defensive coordinator Michael McCloud along with defensive line coach Joe Kennedy and Coach Joe Downey worked on the pass rush and coverage. The secondary adjusted some, including moving Grayson back to the secondary on certain plays. Coach Dwayne Friday and Coach Justin Wilson worked with Austin Humphries, Josiah Wood ( Got his second interception in two games) and JD Friday to stop that passing game of the Warriors.

Mission accomplished.

The Jacket running game. Llano had 144 yards rushing in the second half with a 6.2 yards per carry. The running game of Rivers, senior Brady Kelly, Grayson and freshman Cole Landers ( 135 yards) loved the changes at half-time. Cash finished the night with over 200 yards receiving. And that Ingram passing game? 4 for 13 passing and 46 yards in the second half. The Jacket defensive line dominated. 8 carries and 3 yards. Llano slowed the game down mid way thru the fourth quarter and taking a knee with several minutes left in the game.

This may have been the Yellow Jacket Coaches’ best game!!

Bi Distirct: Llano plays Poteet Thursday night in Kerrville at 7 PM. Poteet is not a very good football team. They finished fourth in District 14-3AAA. The Jackets may get junior quarterback Luke Davis back. Senior leading rusher Jose Sillas should return to play. Maybe senior running back Brayton Shaw will be ready. Llano should be at near full strength.

Llano has played in 29 Bi District games in its history. The first in 1950 under Head Coach Purser. The Jackets lost to Georgetown 27-6. Llano has won the last five Bi district games it has played in, but the over all record in this game is still only 14-15. Let’s even things up.

Llano 56 Poteet 0