The Llano Yellowjackets took care of business Friday night in Jacket Stadium. The 34-0 win places Llano with a 5-3 season record, and 1-2 District record. The Jackets improve their overall record against the Bulldogs to 16-7, and improve their home record to 5-9. The home record reflects the three seasons the Jackets have been playing on artificial turf, and the make over at Jacket Stadium three plus years ago.
Bandera is a scrappy and good effort team. Yet they were outmanned by a much better Yellowjacket teams that knows it must play very well here in the last games of the this season. Bandera’s first play was a quick run up the middle for 27 yards. But on the next play the Bulldogs fumbled and Llano drove down and scored when senior Cade Fly went in from the two yard line. Senior Iver Godo kick was good. To cut to the chase, Bandera had only two more plays all game of over 10 yards. An 11 yard run and an 10 yard run. The Jacket defense stopped the Bulldogs 15 times for no gain or a loss.
The Jacket defense, again was outstanding. Senior Drew Cooper never takes a play off. Linebackers Ryan Warner, Logan Duggar and Mason Baker have been outstanding. Love the line play of #40, junior Jacob Cruz. Sophomore Guillermo Davila is having a great year. No one plays better and more consistent than junior Quinton Franklin, either when he stands up at the end, or at linebacker. Junior Shawn Hensley is having a good year. Kaleb Dodson , a senior makes big play after big play. And senior Kendall Downey at defensive end is playing at an all-district level. Sophomore Aiden Cuthbertson is making a hand. The defense is allowing 19 points a game. This number, if can be held up, would be the best allowed in at least 15 years. Another reason is a great secondary that tackles well. Lead by senior Presley Lynch, senior Christian Kirby, and senior Thomas Adams. Junior Justin Yocum is a play maker. Great effort all year. And no one makes more saving tackles than senior Mason Brooks. Love watching Mason play. Goals can be matched with two weeks to go. This defense can be making memories. But it takes 100% effort every play. No let up. or taking plays off. Make this something for all to remember.
The offense lead by Cade keeps churning along. Pretty good running game with Brooks, sophomore Donaven Arellano, and Cade. Throw in Mr. Everything, Case Kuykendall, who runs a little, catches a little, runs back kicks a little, and you have someone averaging well over 100 yards a game. Pass receiving a little better this week. Case, Donaven, Christian, , Kendall, senior senior Dylan Inge, and very reliable senior Ethan Tisdale all had catches. Llano now has had 12 different players catch passes from Cade, and up from the JV, sophomore Vickers. Case is playing so consistent. Great run and throwing effort all season.
Hard to tell, but the offensive line may have had their best game. Will better tell after this week, against a pretty good line from Wimberley. But can say senior Joe Pogany throws a lot of blocks downfield…as does a monster blocker, senior Brooks Keele…Great effort..
Wimberley….really not much more to say. The Texans have one of the most successful programs in the Texas Hill Country over the past 15 years. And they have been hard on Llano. Take a look at the past few years scores:
2005 @ Wimberley, lost 42-17
2006 @Llano Lost 40-6
2007 @Wimberley Lost 28-7
2008 @ Llano Won 20-14
2009 @ Wimberley Lost 21-3
2012 @ Llano Lost 27-26
2013 @ Wimberley Lost 31-17
2014 @ Wimberley Lost 52-14
2015 @ Llano Lost 24-0
2016 @ Wimberley Lost 35-16
2017 @ Llano Lost 45-7
2018 ?
This Jacket team has a defense that can make big plays and stop people. This Jacket offense can score in many ways. But to have an opportunity to go 7-3 in the regular season is a big step up from where Llano has been over the past 7 years. I have all the confidence in the world in this senior class of wanting to make 2018 special. A year to remember. And beating Wimberley is a place to start. Llano must get out of the gate fast. And never let up. Then come out the second half just as hungary. Make this week one your team will build upon, and this season could last thru Thanksgiving. I believe that. It Starts Friday night at Jacket Stadium.
Play to Win 