The Llano Yellow Jackets beat Corpus Christie London Friday night in Converse, Texas 53-12 in the Area State Play Off game. The star power of the London Pirates never was able to get untracked. Quarterback Alex Manning, who had been averaging nearly 300 yards passing a game was held to 115 yards passing on 13 of 32 passes with three interceptions. Senior Isaiah Aguilar had two sacs and junior Jason Cherry lead the team with 10 tackles. Linebacker Cody Greenwood had 9 tackles. Senior JD Friday followed with 5 tackles, as did senior Niko Arms with 5.

The defense played lights out from the beginning of the game. When senior Grayson Lilie was not playing quarterback, he was on defense. His two interceptions included one returned 68 yards for a TD, giving Llano a 25-6 lead late in the second quarter. Senior Austin Humphries had his fifth interception for the season in the third quarter and had 3 tackles at his cornerback position. Austin has to pay attention, as he plays a bit everywhere. He had a catch in the first quarter and plays on the kicking game.

The defensive line showed up where and when they had to. Mario Hernandez, Nick Light, Logan Robinson, Evan Gomez, Dylan Smith and Cole Kennedy chased and chased the London Quarterback and held the Pirates running game to 5 yards net. Linebackers Gavin Hays and Jose Sillas had great nights with several solo tackles. Senior George Gallucci had one of his best games making a solo tackle and several assist. Caden White at cornerback played really well, and freshman Cole Landers had two tackles.

A super effort by all. Want to mention again the effort of our players that hustle so hard on special teams. Jose only punted one time, that at the end of the game. But Llano kicked off 9 times. Niko Arms, Isaiah Aguliar, Cody Greenwood, Austin Humphries, Emerson Pool, Landers, Jason Cherry, and # 30. He was down on the kick offs often making stops. JD had another blocked extra point! Surprise surprise. I’ll get his total at the end of the season…still weeks away. And invisible man, Francisco Parravanio. Love his kick offs…his 6 extra points…and his 25 yard field goal in the second quarter to put Llano ahead two scores.

Head Coach Matt Green spoke early in the season that our strong point was depth. He likely was not thinking that junior Luke Davis would get injured in the Randolph game and miss three games. Luke had started 27 games at quarterback. Senior Grayson Lilie stepped right end. Grayson started the Marion and Ingram games in District play. And has started the Poteet and London games. He is 4-0.

But most exciting about all this, is there was no drama. No one supported Grayson more than Luke. No bigger cheer leader on the sidelines than Luke. And this week when Luke was back in the game, Grayson was there for Luke. Luke completed 10 of 11 passes for 132 yards in his return, and two TD passes. Grayson hit 5 of 8 passes and had 49 yards rushing for three first downs. (Remember his TD pick 6 return of the interception) There has always been an old saying. ” When you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks”. Throw that one out the window. Who ever said that did not know Luke and Grayson. So proud that both are Yellow Jackets.

The Jackets running game produced 360 yards. Jose had 12 carries for 58 yards. Senior Brayton Shaw another 63 yards. Grayson, Luke, River Thomison all had yards running the ball. And Freshman Cole Landers carried the load this week, for 180 yards, now over 500 yards in four games. The Jacket line dominated. James Greenwood, Cason Stephenson, Zach Driskel, Cameron Smith, Scott Henderson, Cooper Scott Lane Wssson, and Hayden Bigger. Blocking has gotten better and stronger every week. Oh…another very good blocker is senior Brady Kelly…good pass blocker…and run blocker.

Cash Lynch caught 5 passes, Graham Prokop had 73 yards catching the football and a TD. Austin ( Ext Pt Conversion for 2 Pts), Emerson, Jose, and Josiah Wood all had catches. The WOW play of the game came when Luke threw to senior tight end Konrad Zwicke for 23 yards and Konrad ran over two defenders running into the end zone for the TD. (Best to get out of the way)

Art texted me to remind me: Llano has scored over 50 points in 6 of 12 games this year. We may need them all this week.

The most exciting game of my lifetime was last year when we played Goliad. Goliad jumped off to a 19 point lead in the second quarter. The first play they ran went 72 yards for a TD. Their second play from scrimmage went 44 yards for a TD. Goliad threw the ball only four times, two on the last two plays of the game. Goliad had nearly 300 yards of offense in the first half running the slot T. They had 55 yards total the second half. Llano won 30-29 with seconds left in the game.

We can’t expect anything less this Friday night. They will be tough. While this past week against CC London the Jackets played an all passing team…this week it will be 95% running. The defensive line will not face running backs like the two Goliad has since Jarrell. Both running backs for Goliad return from last season. The Jacket secondary and linebackers have their work cut out for them. Would help if we can keep the game a little closer this year in the first half!!

Llano 42

Goliad 21