Play to Win

Texas High School Coaches Association Super Team

Jaxon Lange- Center- Senior- 1ST TEAM

Class 3AAA- Division I

Bryce Mize- Kicker- 67 Extra Points, 7 Field Goals- Senior – 2nd Team

Ulisses Martinez- Defensive Back- 9 Interceptions- Senior- -2nd Team

Ross Edwards- Offensive Lineman- 66 Pancakes- Senior- 2nd Team

Jackson Dillard- Wide Receiver- 48 Catches/ 914 Yards-Senior- 2nd Team

Carson Kuykendall- Running Back-1,931 Yards, 26 TDs, Senior- 2nd Team

Briggs Green- Quarterback- 2,402 Yards Passing- JUNIOR- 2nd Team

District MVP Carson Kuykendall (Sr)

Co-Defensive MVP Jaxon Rhea (U) (Sr) Preston Guinn- Blanco (U)

Offensive MVP Briggs Green (Jr.)

Offensive Lineman of the Year Ross Edwards (Sr)

1ST TEAM OFFENSE

Running back Miguel Hernandez (Sr)

Wide Receiver Jackson Dillard (U) (Sr)

Wide Receiver Ross Prokop (U) (Sr)

Center Jaxon Lange (U) (Sr)

Offensive Lineman Hudson Godfrey (U) (Sr)

Offensive Lineman Daniel Sandoval (U) (Sr)

1ST TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive Line Kyle Gilliland (U) (Sr)

Defensive End Bryce Mize (U) (Sr)

Inside Linebacker Hayden Manahan (U) (Sr)

Inside Linebacker Brock Fly (Sr)

Outside Linebacker Fitz Kennedy (U) (Jr)

Outside Linebacker Ricky Da La Torre (Sr)

Defensive Back Isaiha Bush (U) (Sr)

Defensive Back Caden Bauman (Sr)

Kicker Bryce Mize (U) (Sr)

2ND TEAM OFFENSE

Wide Receiver Coy Kelso (Sr)

Tight End Parker Parish (Jr)

Offensive Line Dylan Kennedy ((Jr)

Offensive Line Branen Green (Sr)

2ND TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive Back Ulisses Martinez (Sr)

Defensive Back Braden Hatfield (Jr)

HONORABLE MENTION Sam Sueltenfuss WR_RB (Sr)

Alex Kachura WR (Jr)

Luke Turner Sp.Team (Sr)
Charlie White DB (Jr)

Remington Hipp Sp Team (Sr)

Dusty Miller Sp Team (Jr)

Russell Nelson Sp Team (Sr)

Cole Franklin OLB (Sr)

32 Yellow Jackets are Honored Voting is done the week after the last regular season game. Play Off games are thus, not considered in the voting. A Coach can nominate players from his team, but cannot vote for them.

The 2022 Llano Yellow Jackets 13-1 season equals the best ever in school history. No easy feat. Yet the loss to a very good Edna team will hurt for a long time.

What many fans noticed soon after the game was Llano played very good football for two quarters, outscoring the Cowboys 21-13 in the second half. One great loyal Jacket fan pointed out that “had we known” before the game that Llano would get three turnovers, we would have taken that. Had we known that against a much larger line, our offensive line would help Carson Kuykendall churn out 158 yards rushing. That Briggs Green would complete 11 of 18 passes for 133 yards, we would have been happy with those numbers. Those are winning numbers. Llano did not have a penalty in the first half. Playing smart and controlled. But getting behind 27-0 in the first half became a hill too tall.

This article for the past 50 years has one strong trait. The article after the last game, is always impossible. Even when you are 13-1. Or, think about those players in 1987…0-10. Tough thinking about the right thing to say. Because nothing really helps. No words help. But the players can be assured that Llano still loves them. That Llano knows we have the best kids…best young men…best players with the most heart of anyone. We would not trade our guys for anyone else’s guys. That Jackets are the best, and today, Monday, is a good time to be a Llano Yellow Jacket.

Over the next few weeks I will put together more musings. Such as thinking about the three shutouts by one of the best defenses to ever put on the Blank and Orange. In the modern age of football, or at least over the last 20 years, no defensive team has played like the Jacket defense. Allowing only 12 points a game in the time of offenses scoring sometimes at will. But not against Llano. Two shutouts against play off teams. Teams averaging nearly 30 points a game. I’ve mentioned that I have no category for the team interceptions. We will now. The reason is simple…hardly ever has it been significant. Well…30 is!!! That is big time…and over the next few weeks I’ll go into detail about that.

It looks like now, this 2022 Jacket offense has broke the school record on total yards. Wow…Great balance with passing and rushing. And we go back many decades before you have a team with two rushers over 1,000 yards. Senior Miguel Hernandez had a tremendous season, carrying the ball 143 times for 1,039 yards, and a 7.27 yards per carry. Carson Kuykendall had a season for the ages, getting 1,931 yards and averaging 6.93 yards per carry.

It may not mean alot today to this fantastic offensive line, but someday, it will. In 1967, Randy Scott was the Jacket senior running back. Randy was fast. But things were different. The game was slower. Some games we would not run 30 plays. Playing tight end, we all did alot of blocking. Llano got to the 9th game, before we…the line got Randy his 1,000 yards. As far as I know, Randy was only the second Yellow Jacket ever to go over 1,000 yards. George Fraser was the first. Many things I think back about with great pride. Knowing I helped Randy get 1,000 yards was special.

Second most points ever scored in a season. Missed the record by 5 points!!

Many of these seniors played on teams that went 13-1…8-3…13-1…34-5 for the three years. Best three year run ever in school history. Second place is 1995,’96,’97….28 wins. But know one has won three district championships. And no one ever had a 19 home game winning streak.

No doubt. It hurts today. But assured of this it will get better and more special for the rest of your young lives.

We will be working on the record book. And as soon as I receive the All District team, I’ll get it up for all to see. It is a great time to be a Llano Yellow Jacket.

The 2022 Llano Yellow Jackets beat a very good Industrial team Friday afternoon in Heroes Stadium in San Antonio to advance to the State Quarterfinals for only the second time in school history. The 42-17 win was also the second time in school history in which the Jackets have ever had a 13-0 record.

The Jackets created a stir as the beginning of the game as things did not go has planned. The Industrial Cobras lost the opening coin toss, but for the first time, the Jackets elected to defer to the second half, meaning Llano kicked off to the Cobras. One first down, the quarterback for Industrial darted 28 yards down to the 4 yard line. The Jackets had allowed the Cobras a nice kick off return of 48 yards, with senior Jackson Dillard making the stop. Then on the third play of the game, Industrial scored from 4 yards out. Llano was behind for the first time in the play-offs, 7-0.

The Jackets were slow to wake up. On the first possession, the Jackets were forced to punt on fourth down, and Dillard got off his best punt of the season with a 72 yard kick that rolled all the way to the 8 yard line. Junior quarterback Briggs Green was the first down field to cover.

The Cobras completed a 31 yard pass, but the Jacket defense took over. 5 yards of losses forced a punt. Senior Carson Kuykendall two runs for 15 yards, and then a Briggs pass to Dillard for 62 yards and the first Jackets score. Now, we could settle down. 7-7 score.

The Cobras’ next possession again saw the Jacket defense excel. Senior leading tackler Hayden Manahan sacked the quarterback, with help from senior Jaxon Rhea. The Cobras punted. Llano put together an 11 play drive down to the 18 yard line. Senior Sam Sueltenfuss had a 14 yard run for a first down. 18 more yards on a pass reception by senior Coy Kelso and another first down. Five more carries by Carson. Llano faced fourth down, and Bryce Mize attempted a 35 yard field goal, but it was a bit off. The Cobras took over. But not for long. Great pressure by the defense showed up. Ricky De La Torre had a super afternoon, as did Bryce and junior safety Braeden Hatfield. And to say senior Isaiah Bush had a good day is an eye roller. Bush picked off the first of his 3 interceptions for the afternoon. A good days work.

Carson, Briggs and senior running back Miguel Hernandez all carried the ball, and then on second down, Briggs again found Ross for a 21 yard strike and the Jackets lead 14-7 with 8:44 left in the half. Mize’s kick was good. Bryce has been so good all season, and his 6 extra points in the play off game goes in the record book.

Unfortunately, the Cobras were still fighting. And an 8 play drive put the Cobras on the 14 yard line, in which they scored and tied the score at 14-14 for the first half.

Many worried at halftime. But not to worry. Remember, Llano received the second half kick off. And Miguel took the ball on the 6 yard line, and went up the middle of the field for a big 66 yard gain., setting up the Jackets on the 28 yard line. On third down, Briggs found senior Ross Prokop for a 32 yard completion and the TD. Bryce kicked good and the Jackets lead 21-14. Then….Llano kick off. The high “bloopper” kick did the trick. It bounced, and Llano’s JJ Vaughn recovered and Llano was in business. First play, Dillard was running to the end zone. Briggs threw the ball, but the Cobra defender had tripped Dillard. They tumbled together in a heap at the one yard line. Yet, as the ball came to earth, Dillard, on the ground reached up for the catch. Carson did the honors and scored standing up for Llano 28-14 lead.

The Cobra’s last real life was an 11 play drive late in the third quarter. But Braeden, Isaiah, senior Ulisses Martinez and senior Kyle Gilliland made the Cobras work for every inch. Caden Bauman, Charlie White, Brock Fly ( 14 stops), Cole Franklin, and junior linebacker Fitz Kennedy (9 tackles) made the defense proud. The Cobras settled for a field goal late in the quarter, making the score 28-17.

The fourth quarter was great, as again, Rhea, Kyle, Cole and Bryce applied the pressure, and on the first two possessions by the Cobras, Bush ended their drives with interceptions. Three for the game. The Jackets have now intercepted 27 passes this season. Llano did not throw a pass in the fourth quarter. Miguel ended the game with 41 yards rushing, and his 66 yard kick off return made for a 105 yard day. Carson had 161 yards rushing on 30 carries. I think this is his most carries in a game this season. What a work horse. Dillard ended the day with four catches and 156 yards, and two TDs. And a remarkable stat is Briggs completed 7 of 14 passes for 201 yards…a plus 29 yards per completion. The Yellow Jackets…no turnovers. Llano only had two penalties, and non the second half.

Dillards 4 punts averaged 43 yards. Briggs had a rushing TD. The Jackets receivers…just get it close…Ross, Sam, Coy, and Jackson…and they will catch it. And all of this would not happen without those big ugliest up front. Ross Edwards, Juice Lange, Daniel Sandoval, Brannen Green and Dylan Kennedy…and senior Hudson Godfrey…a super three year starter. Parker Parrish, Coy and Cole are very good blocking downfield.

When you get to game number 14 for the season, the stats start adding up, but like the song says, don’t count your money until the dealing is done.

This surprise of beating down a good Industrial team was nothing but this team playing smart and staying intense. Llano did not panic after the first half. They became serious and concentrated. Llano now plays a team ranked above them and has for whole season. Ranking means little at this point.

There are only 8 teams left in the State Play-offs. This is called the quarterfinals. Games being played in 3AAA Div 1: Llano- Edna….Grandview-Malakoff…Columbus-Franklin….and Brock-Whitesboro…Everyone left is very good. Jackets advance, by traveling to San Marcos Thursday evening at 7 PM and beating Edna by 8.

The 12-0 Llano Yellow Jackets beat Goliad Friday night In Pieper Stadium (San Antonio area) 21-0 to record their second shutout in as many play off games, and prepare for their Regional game this Friday with Industrial, again to be played in San Antonio.

The Goliad Slot T offense that had scored 120 points over the past two games came into the Area contest ready to test the record setting Jacket defense. The shut out of such a high scoring offense was unprecedented in Jacket history. Llano had only one previous shut out in play off history before Llano took down Cotulla 44- 0 two weeks ago. The 21-0 win Friday night was an exclamation mark for this great Llano defense.

The Jacket offense got the game off to a great start, when the Jackets took the opening kick off and drove 11 plays to score with 7:30 left in the first period. Senior running back Carson Kuykendall got 11 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Junior quarterback Briggs Green completed passes to Ross Prokop for 17 yards and 15 yards to Jackson Dillard. Three plays, three first downs. On the next series, Llano had a fourth and one…and gambled and went for the first down. Carson made it.

One first down, Briggs was sacked for a 12 yard loss. But on the next play, Briggs hit Ross for the 12 yards and Llano had third down on the Goliad 23 yard line. Briggs hit Carson coming out of the backfield for a 7 yard gain. Fourth down on the 16 yard line. Briggs hit Dillard in perfect stride for the TD. Senior Bryce Mize …..again kicked true, and Llano lead 7-0.

In the first quarter, Goliad had one very good play, with a 50 yard pass completion. The other 10 plays in the quarter resulted in the Jacket defense allowing a total of 13 yards. Tremendous play by the down lineman of the defense. Senior Jaxon Rhea had his most impressive game of the year, causing all kinds of turmoil and havoc for the vaulted Goliad running game. Mize and senior Kyle Gilliland too had lock down games. There was no running against the Jackets. Before the final series of the game, I had the Jackets allowing negative yardage in the run game. These guys scored 120 points the previous two games!!!

Along with Jaxon, Kyle and Bryce, junior Jonathan Vaughn had several key plays. Coming up from the secondary was Charlie White and Isaiah Bush. Junior Braeden Hatfield was in on 7 tackles, plus had the games lone interception in the fourth quarter to stop any hope that Goliad may have had in making a come back. It was the Jackets’ 24 interception of the season….a school record never kept, but will be now.

The defense has so many play makers. Seniors Caden Bauman and Brock Fly. Senior Ulisses Martinez and junior Dusty Miller. And those linebackers. Hayden Manahan and Ricky De La Torre…both seniors playing well beyond their years. Russel Nelson and Remington Hipp contribute so often. Jackson Hoot, a junior has become a big time player. And junior Fitz Kennedy…always making the outstanding play every week….What an effort…so proud….

The Offense just went out and churned out the clock. Llano had drives of 11, 9, 11, and 8 plays to keep the ball from the Tigers. Then Llano’s defense gave the offense the ball from two fumble recoveries and the Hatfield interception. Because Llano’s offense kept the ball for extended periods of time, the Jacket defense was always fresh. I said last week, this offensive line could win this game for Llano. The offensive line did their part. Seniors Ross Edwards, Juice Lange at center, Hudson Godfrey, Brannen Green, Aiden Smith and super blocker, Daniel Sandoval kept the offense going. Juniors that showed they belonged were Hunter Brown, JJ Vaughn, Frank Machuga, Donaven Rodriguez, and Dylan Kennedy. All going to be future greats. And downfield blocking, so over looked, it best when Coy Kelso, Parker Parish, Gavin Anderson , Luke Turner and Cole Franklin are on the field.

12-0…Only one other Jacket team has a better resume. Llano went to the Regional finals in 1973, 2007, 2020, and this year.

A short story.: In 1998 Llano came in second in District play, when only two teams went to the State Play offs. Llano had to play Pearsall, a District Champion, ranked in the top 10, and they were 10-0. Llano was 5-5. The State of Texas was in a monsoom…a flood, especially in South Texas. In 1998, few schools had all weather fields. Most fields were standing in 6 inches of water. Llano and Pearsall could find no place to play. Llano head coach Karl McCormack told me he was sitting at his desk, when the phone rang. It was the head coach of Pearsall, and he suggested they play in Llano, since Llano was dry. Coach “Mac” told me he fell out of his chair. Then recovered, and stammered to say “yes” they could play in Llano

Stories still recall….several charted busses showed up early in the day to Llano. The LHS parking lot was covered in Bar-B Que pits. The Llano square was covered in visitors. Never saw so many happy people. I spoke with one group. They felt like they had the team to win State.

Llano won 41-26. Beat a team that was averaging 31 points a game. The Jacket defense held Pearsall to 201 yards of offense.

The Llano quarterback was senior Zack Vassar. He later coached with Llano’s offensive coordinator Ryan Priem at Athens a few years back. Coach Matt Green had met Zack at that time.

Llano played Industrial the next week. Industrial was 10-1. Llano was now 6-5. Industrial won in over-time, 19-16. This is the only time Llano had played Industrial.

Industrial has won 20 games over the past two seasons, the same as Llano. They are considered a good offensive team. Llano will be trying to win # 13, to equal the most wins in school history. Our defense will keep it close. Our offense will control the ball, and the clock. Friday afternoon at 1 PM. Heroes Stadium, San Antonio. Llano by 13.

The Llano Yellow Jackets beat Cotulla Thursday night in a game played in Hondo. The Bi District win was the 5th year in a row that Head Coach Matt Green has lead the Jackets to a victory in Bi District play. The 44-0 victory gives the Jackets an 11-0 record this season. The shutout is the second shutout in School play off history. The Jackets in 1973 beat #2 ranked Bastrop 7-0

While the Jacket offense had nearly 500 yards in offense, one would have to say the Defense showed up strong. Cotulla, In 12 offensive possessions, the Jacket defense forced 4 punts, intercepted 4 passes, recovered a kick off, and held on 4th down trys, three times. The Llano defense allowed 127 total yards, and had its second shut out of the season. The Jackets have given up 111 points now in 11 games.

There is no doubt that Cotulla was not a very strong foe, but the Jackets came to play, and the defense allowed no quarter. Ulisses Martinez had two interceptions and Isaiah Bush, and Caden Bauman each had one. Great pass rushing by seniors Jaxon Rhea, Bryce Mize, Kyle Gilland and junior Frank Machuga were relentless. Parker Parish is solid on defense. Hunter Brown and JJ Vaughn, along with Donaven Rodriguez so valuable in back up roles. Very little drop off. And then in the fourth quarter, players I do not know their names, played just as hard. #1 was good. But few can match Llano’s linebackers. All time school record holder Hayden Manahan plays with such speed and force. Then you have three year starter Ricky De La Torre. A wow player. Brock Fly has been tremendous all year. Cole Franklin, and Fitz Kennedy just always show up on big big plays. Remington Hipp is a very good linebacker. Luke Turner has played so good ever since district play began. Outstanding player. Senior Gavin Anderson is a player. Senior Russell Nelson was in on play after play. And my program shows # 36 being Johnny Cope. If it is you…good job.

I thought, that the secondary of the 2020 class was just as good as it gets. But this bunch….goodness…the number of take a ways is a head shaker. Besides Caden, Ulisses and Isaiah, you have a tremendous safety in junior Braeden Hatfield. Charlie White is back healthy, and so good. Alex Kachura and Dusty Miller are sure tacklers. Love the play of junior Jackson Hoot. This defense is fun to watch. And every play is a Yellow Jacket opportunity.

This week, to me feels like the San Diego game of last season. Goliad will run the slot t offense. Our defense will have to use skills it has not used as much this season. The Tigers are 8-3 and have played some very good football. They will run you to death…and run some more. They beat Rio Hondo 60-10 last week in Bi District and had 60 points in their last District game. They enter the Area game expecting to win. And that offense that gets the three yards and a cloud of dust…will test our every ounce of skill set.

Our defensive line will be so tested…and our linebackers will be so tested, and and secondary will have to use every skill of open field tackling they have ever had. This great defense will have to play its best game ever in order to win.

One way we will win. Our offense will have to keep the ball. The Jackets ran 39 running plays against Cotulla. 15 of those plays were for 2 yards or less. Carson with over 135 yards Thursday night, and Miguel Hernandez and 16.4 yards per carry, and Briggs Green with 72 yards, were many times hit in the backfield. The end results looked good. But the Offensive line will have to play better for the Jackets to win. This offensive line is stocked with senior veterans. They must come thru in their biggest game of the season. No game will mean more. Every play will count. Seniors Ross Edwards, Daniel Sandoval, Jaxon Lange, Brannen Green, Hudson Godfrey and Hayden Smith must take this game on themselves. If Llano can hold on to the ball, make long mistake free drives…we will win. Donaven Rodriguez, Dylan Kennedy, Frank Machuga, and Hunter Brown, along with Parker Parrish and Coy Kelso will need to have their best nights blocking.

We all think this Jacket team is really special. But really special means playing great football in the hardest of times. It will be cold, and it may be wet. The Jackets with no doubt, must be at its best to continue on. I believe they will. Jackets win by 8.

For only the fourth time in school history, the Llano Yellow Jackets are 10-0, headed to Bi District play against Cotulla, a team the Jackets have never played. Llano beat Ingram Moore Friday night at Jacket Stadium to finish the District in sole first place, with a perfect 6-0 district record.

The Jackets have now won 14 straight district games, over the last three years. The best previous three year stretch was over the 1973, 1974, and 1975 seasons, in which the Jackets of 47-49 years ago went 14-1 in district play. The Jackets won two district championships over that three year period.

The 2022 Jackets have now won three straight district crowns. Furthermore, by winning Friday night, Llano has extended its home winning streak to 19 games.

Llano now takes on the second part of the season. Llano plays Cotulla in Bi District play Thursday night in Hondo. Llano has a four game winning streak in Bi-District play, going for five in a row against Cotulla. I can find no where that the Jackets have ever played the Cowboys of South Texas.

Llano played a great game Friday night against Ingram, with nearly every Jacket player getting into the game. The Jackets took a 28-0 after the first quarter, and had a 49-0 lead at half-time. Ingram scored their lone touchdown in the third quarter with 1:22 left in the quarter.

I think we have all learned that with the play offs, the sole importance becomes about the team. Friday night I saw so much of the encouragement of senior and experienced players encouraging every Jacket that got onto the field. Llano has a team of players that know every player has a role. And however small that role may be, it counts. It all counts.

With many players recovering from injuries and time outs, 7 Jackets carried the football Friday night against Ingram. 8 Jackets have rushed for more than 5 yards per carry this season. Carson Kuykendall, Miguel Hernandez, Remington Hipp, Hayden Manahan, Braeden Hatfield, Dusty Miller, and quarterback Green. Our four top pass receivers, Jackson Dillard, Coy Kelso, Ross Prokop and Sam Sueltenfuss caught passes from quarterback Briggs Green Friday night. Llano has many difference makers.

Like to mention, only slightly that extra point kicker and field goal kicker, Bryce Mize is having an extra special season in his kicking game. But his play on the defensive line is nothing but outstanding. Special team player. Along with Bryce’s play, several players play hard on kick coverage. Little mention of these unsung players, but what an effort. Ulisses Marinez, Caden Bauman, JJ Vaughn, Dusty Miller, Luke Turner, Jackson Hoot and linebacker Fitz Kennedy. All are competitive on these coverages. Tremendous extra effort.

The Jacket defense has allowed 111 points in 10 games. Maybe the one single reason is the interceptions and fumble recoveries. Every play, it is on the minds of this Jacket defense. Caden Bauman thought about it twice Friday night, as he hauled down two interceptions. Linebacker Brock Fly too thought about it, with a take away and his first TD of the season. This defense will keep the Jackets in every game going forward. It is that good.

Coach Matt Green mentioned earlier this year how strong he thought our district was. Looking back, I more than agree. Blanco ended as the second seed, and face Poteet in Bi District. Blanco, with a 6-4 record will be expected to win. Randolph with an 8-2 season record, is the third seed out of our district. I thought they were the best team we played this season. They play Hondo Friday night, and I expect the Ro-Hawks to win. And the surprise out of our district is Lulling. The Eagles beat Marion Friday night for the fourth seed. Good for the Eagles. But they face a tough Jourdanton team. Still will be a good week end for District 13.

Llano’s pre district games of 4A Jarrall, 5A Crockett, and 2A Coleman are all in the play offs. Burnet missed the play offs by 2 points. Pretty solid resume. Llano wins its fifth Bi District game in a row. Llano by 38.

The 9-0 Llano Yellow Jackets will be playing for that perfect 10-0 regular season Friday night as District foe Ingram Moore comes to Llano and plays in the last regular season game of the 2022. Llano will have plenty to play for Friday night.

The Jackets can extend their home winning record to 19 with a win against Ingram.

The Jackets can become only the fourth team in school history to win double digit wins in a season. Llano, with a win, can tie the 1994 Jacket team with its 10th win. The Corey Halliburton lead team in 1994 finished 10-1, under head coach John Parchman.

The 1997 team, lead by quarterback Bradley Kassell won 11 games and finished with an 11-1 record, losing only to eventual state champion Cuero. Llano’s head coach was Karl McCormack.

And the 2020 Jacket team finished 13-1, losing to state runner up Hallettsville. Llano’s head coach, Matt Green was coach in 2020, and many of the Jacket seniors this season were sophomores in 2020.

Coach Matt Green will win his 50th game as the Llano head coach with a victory Friday night. Also Llano will be going to the State play offs for the sixth year in a row under Green.

A correction, this coming from my wonderful wife Kay. Llano has allowed a point in the second half of play over the past few games. Blanco did score in the third quarter on their second possession two weeks ago. And I thought Kay wasn’t paying attention!!

I’ve only added a few statistics into the record books up to now. But many to follow. And only after this season is over. To Kay’s credit, she too peaks ahead sometimes, and as Christmas plans are made, she has penciled in December 15th as “not available”.

The Jacket defense has allowed a total of 105 points in 9 game, an average of 11.67 points per game. The district points allowed is 39, for an average of 7.8 in five games. Great numbers. Great defense.

The Jacket offense too is on a great pace. 348 points and averaging 38.67 per game, and a district average of 36.6 points over 5 games. These numbers will win.

The Jackets have an over all winning record against Ingram Moore of 13-3. Ingram made the play-offs last season, but it looks bleak for a return for the Warriors this year. So you can bet the last trip for their seniors will be one with all the effort they can muster. The Jackets have many things to work on to further prepare for the play offs. Penalties has been one spot the Jackets can work on. And playing smart in this last regular season game is important Friday night, in the celebrated “senior night”. The Jackets win by 35 and nab that victory number 10 , for only the fourth time is school history.

Stealing the 3-peat phrase from someone else, The 2022 Llano Yellow Jackets won the District Championship Friday night, beating a good Blanco team 17-6. The Jackets are now 9-0, and 5-0 in 3 AAA District 13 play. The Jackets have this week off, and finish play on November 4 at Jacket Stadium against Ingram Moore. Llano leads the District by 2 full games, and will represent the District as the number one seed in Bi-District play the following week.

It was a tough game playing in Blanco. Several Jackets came out of the game due to injuries, and the off week comes as a welcome relief. At least 6 Yellow Jackets might not play this week, had Llano a scheduled game. But by the last regular season game against Ingram, all players look to be ready to go. although some may still be held out due to being extra cautious.

The Jackets winning three district championships in a row has never been done. We have won two. We have won two out of three. We have won a district championship and two co-district championships, and even a tri-Championship. But never three out right CHAMPIONSHIPS, and as Coach Matt Green said, “not sharing with anyone”. Llano is 30-4 over the last three years, with one more regular season game to go. In the decade of the 1990s’, Llano had a great run. In 1994, Llano won 10 games. In 1995, 9 games. In 1996, 8 games. And in 1997, 11 wins. The best three seasons of 1995-1997 Llano won 28 games.

In 1973, ’74, and 1975, Coach Ken Gray took Llano to two district championships, and Llano came in second in 1974, losing only to Burnet in district play. Llano was 14-1 against district foes those three years. The next year, 1976, with Coach John Baskin as Head Coach, Llano won district again. Future Player of the Year in Division III, at Tarleton, State, Llano’s quarterback was LHS Hall of Famer Shelby Wright. Llano lost to Rockdale in Bi-District 10-9. Rockdale went on to win the State Championship in 1976.

All I can say, is many have come before you. None have accomplished what you have accomplished. We all know the season is not over. But take a deep breathe, and know that everyone is so proud to have followed your deeds. It is a good time to be alive. It is a great time to be a Yellow Jacket.

The win Friday night was expected to be tough. Blanco has been strong all year, and with a small blip, should enter the play offs as the number 3 seed in our district. It looks to me that Randolph will be the number 2 seed, and has earned the position with great play. Randolph should end the regular season with an 8-2 record. Marion also could finish with an 8-2 season. Lulling too is having a nice season, and still has a chance to make the play offs. Coach Green mentioned a few weeks back that 13- 3AAA is going to be a force in the play offs. Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but would be nice for all four teams to advance.

The Yellow Jacket defense has played lights out in district play. Thru 5 games, has allowed only 39 points. Allowed none in the second half of play in the last three games. While both the Blanco quaterback and the Blanco running back were very good athletes, I never felt we were threatened. Each player on the field just seems so confident. When three year starter Ricky De La Torre at linebacker went out of the game, senior Cole Franklin took his spot, and had his best game as a Yellow Jacket. Isaiah Bush lead the team in tackles. Hayden Manahan made another strong push for defensive player of the district, and even came into the game and carried the football for a key first down. Brock Fly had a super game., with an interception. Kyle Gilliland, Bryce Mize, and Jaxon Rhea dominated the line of scrimmage. And you can’t forget about those turnovers the Jackets cause. Ulisses Martinez and junior safety Braeden Hatfield. Both now have 5 interceptions for the season. And towards the end of the game, none other than junior Fitz Kennedy ends any thoughts of a threat from Blanco with an interception from his linebacker position.

We’ll take the week off here too. Next week, I’ll talk about the district a bit more, and the playoff picture may be more clear. But for this week, enjoying the 3- peat!!

The Llano Yellow Jackets won their 18th home game in a row, extended its season record to 8-0, and set up a District Championship game to be played this Friday in Blanco. Should the Jackets beat Blanco Friday night, Llano will have won the District Championship outright, three years in a row. Llano has won championships, co-championships, and tri-championships in a row, but never three Championships in a row. The Jackets are 29-4 over the past two plus seasons.

The Marion Bulldogs came into last Friday nights game looking like the new bully on the block, as they had beaten Blanco the pervious Friday night by a score of 48-6. A win by Marion would have put the Bulldogs in the drivers seat for the lead in district 13-AAA Div.1 play.

The Bulldogs found out plenty early that Llano too, had come to play. The Jackets scored on their first possession, driving 6 plays, all on the ground when senior running back Carson Kuykendall scored from one yard out with 8:14 left in the first quarter. Carson, junior quarterback Briggs Green, senior running back Miguel Hernandez and senior wide receiver Ross Prokop all had carries.

The Jackets took the field on defense. Senior linebacker Ricky De La Torre forced a quarterback hurry on a pass, and Brock Fly had a stop for a loss. The Jackets forced a field goal try, which was not good.

The Jacket defense played one of its best games. Senior linebacker Luke Turner may have had his best game as a Jacket, forcing two fumbles and being in on tackle after tackle. Linebacker Hayden Manahan was his usual aggressive self and lead the team in tackles. Senior lineman Kyle Gilliland had a great night from the trenches, making life hard on the offensive lineman of Marion. Seniors Jaxon Rhea and Bryce Mize put pressure on the Marion quarterback continuously. Quarterback sacks came from Jaxon and Kyle. Senior linebacker Gavin Anderson and junior Frank Machuga had great nights. And Russell Nelson too is making a hand at linebacker. Overall, a super night for the defense.

Can’t get away from the defense without saying junior Braeden Hatfield had a record tying night, with three interceptions. Tied former great David Hoskins who had three interceptions in one game in the mid 1990s’. Super heads up play. And the secondary gets better and more confident each week. Seniors Ulisses Martinez, Caden Bauman, Isaiah Bush are all studs. Wonderful play from all. Junior Fitz Kennedy plays defense too. I just have no idea where he plays. He’s defending a pass on one play, the next he is running down a running back in the backfield, and run stuffing a quarterback next. Tremendous player. The defense is allowing less than 9 points per game over the last 6 games. Winning football.

The Jacket offense is steady. Both Carson and Miguel had nearly 130 rushing each Friday night. Both are averaging 7.2 yards per carry this year. Briggs found 10 different receivers to catch the ball, and 15 different Jackets handled the football. Might add that there is little drop off when senior Remington Hipp is carrying the football, or junior Dusty Miller.

Cole Franklin blocks. So does Coy Kelso and Parker Parrish. And so does Sam Sueltenfuss and Jackson Dillard. And Ross Peokop. And junior Alex Kachura. And they all can catch the football. Great group of receivers. Oh, and the lineman are getting stronger and better. Ross Edwards, Juice Lange, Brannen Green, Hudson Godfrey, Aden Smith, juniors JJ Vaughn, Frank Machuga, Donavan Rodriguz, Dylan Kennedy and Hunter Brown. And Daniel Sandoval plays hard on both sides of the ball, having a super senior season as a three year starter. Game number 9. Time for it all to be coming together.

Improvement is still the name of this season. Must work on limiting the penalties. That’s mental. You can practice that at home. It’s an individual challenge.

Blanco is wounded and hurt. They still have a chance this season to get back to being respectable, and make a play off run. And for the Panthers, that can all begin this Friday night against the Jackets. Llano embarrassed the Panthers last season, when we mauled Blanco at its Homecoming Game. Blanco has many talented players, and return 16 starters from last seasons team. They will make a stand on its home field Friday night. This was the game everyone was thinking about only 60 days ago in August. Friday night, nothing has changed. Llano can’t sleep on this sound football team. The Jackets hold a 5-2 over all advantage against Blanco all time. Let’s make it 6-2 Friday night. Llano by 24.