Play to Win

   The 37-25 win in Gatesville may be one of the biggest wins in School history.  Llano beat the Hornets, ranked 75th by the Harris Poll.  The Jackets were ranked 111.  That 36 team jump is as large as any I ever remember.  Maybe there were others, most memorable in 1973 when the unranked Jackets beat # 2 ranked Bastrop in Bi-District play, 7-0,

   Llano stands alone in second place in 8-3AAA, with a 2-1 district record.  Liberty Hill is on top at 3-0, while Lampasas, Burnet, and Brownwood are all tied at 3rd, with 1-2 district records.  Llano plays both Burnet(this Friday night) and Brownwood November 8th in Llano.  Winning either game will assure Llano a play-off spot.  Winning both will give Llano a very big advantage on who we would play in bi-district.

  We can’t count those chicks yet.  It has been so long since Llano beat Burnet, that I refused to even look it up.  A long time.  Yet, Burnet can be beat.  Their 5-3 season mark is one Llano can get fired up about.  Llano will be 5-3 when the Jackets beat the Bulldogs Friday night.

   The Jackets played great at times against the Hornets.   Five times the Hornet went on 4th down, and the defense held.  A safety on a punt, a David Forrister 23 yard field goal in the first quarter all added to Llano’s taking everything that was handed out. Senior Layton Rabb was 10 for 17 passing, with several strong runs. Senior Carter Tatsch had 87 yards rushing.  Senior Issac Hutto had 5 pass catches for 83 ayrds.  Senior Chance Ware caught a 42 yard pass for a TD.  And junior Jalen Bauman had 82 yards receiving  and rushing.  Throw in Sawyer Stiles TD run for nine yards and you had many heroes.  This was Llano’s most complete win, and all aspects of the game were won by the visiting Jackets.  Llano spoiled another Homecoming.  You would think folks would learn!

   Great defensive games by junior linebacker Lance Reven, Caleb Penny, Gilberto Arredondo, Jalen,Tristan Lynch,  Kralen Dickerson, Mason Ladd, Sawyer, Eli Tiffin, Eliazar Villegas, and Ryan Mansell.  Love the play of Jordan Blackmon, Aaron Moss and Justin Long.  Play at full speed.  I never did find out who # 5 and #30 were, but sure was glad they were on our side.  Good plays by both. 

   This week Llano will be tested.  Burnet will have the best passing game we will see.  My favorite, Mason Ladd will have to use every bit of talent and experience he has.  I remember Mason as a sophomore and getting “experience” at his cornerback position.  I thought then, “if he can learn” from all this, he will be very tough to beat as a senior.  He is that now.  Burnet will be going after our secondary like we have not seen.  It will take everything to beat the Bulldogs in Bunet.  And nothing will help the secondary more than a great pass rush.  Mansell, Reven, Gilberto and Caleb must put pressure on the passer.  Hold Burnet to 28 points, and Llano will win.

   How do we score more than 28 points?  Passing of Rabb to 6 different receivers for one.  And Llano’s rushing attack needs to get 125 yards.  Carter, and Sawyer, and Jalen can get it, but the key is Llano’s offensive line must play their best game ever.  Eli, Colton Center, Gilberto, Colton Ekstrom, Cody Harp, Clancy Durham, Caleb, and Jordan Webb must get their game faces on.  This game is what it is all about.  And beating Burnet is something Llano is very capable of doing.  The line must  get a surge.   And playing 100% is what Llano is all about.

   Llano again will be a big underdog.  Great.  I hope Harris picks the Dogs by 21.  But, watch Llano win this one by 12.

   I have an old saying,”when you score 58 points, you should win.”  Lampasas had the same old saying, but theirs said “when you score 57 points, you should win”.  At 10:30 PM Friday night they adjusted their saying to mimic mine!  It takes 58 points sometimes.  And to quote my favorite quotee, Art Dlugach,” boy oh boy, did it ever”!

   The Over-time win was big, in that Llano kept fighting.  Kid no one, the game was not always played well.  Our defense was at times “bad”.  Only the Badgers’ was worse.   Still, to win when it would have been easier to let up just for a moment.  But in this game, letting up for one play was not an option, if winning meant everything to you.  Llano wanted to win badly.  As did Lampasas.  But despite the Jackets playing their worst game defensively this season,  Llano kept coming back.  While Llano lead  until 5:58 in the last quarter,  it was always going to be close.  Even when Llano took a 16-0 lead early in the first quarter, something did not feel right.  At that moment I open my program and counted that Lampasas had 33 seniors!  I knew this game was not over.  The Badgers were not throwing in the towel at this point.  And senior Steven Jazdyk continued to pound and run over Jacket defenders.  I have to give credit, his heart was as big as anyone I have seen in recent years as he drug his body up after each carry.  Llano gave Jazdyk no quarter.

   While giving up 57 points is something you worry about, effort was not.  I watched Tristan Lynch and his effort.  Junior Lance Reven played so hard.  Senior Captain Caleb Penny had a strong game.  And senior Ryan Mansell is playing at an all-district level.  Love the play of senior Eli Tiffin, playing hard every down.

   I saw Jordan Blackmon having a great game.  Justin Long had good effort.  And I still love our secondary.  Mason Ladd….Tommy Yelvington, Kralen Dickerson, and Sawyer Stiles are good football players.   I thought Kralen’s interception in the third quarter might be a deal breaker for the Badgers.  But the Badgers just decided to only throw three more pass the remainder of the game.  Their running game was just fine from that point on, averaging 12 yards per carry over the final period and over-time.

   Give credit to the Lampasas Coaches. Going for two in over-time was the right call.  Llano had yet to stop this very strong running game.  I would have made the same call.  Just forgot that Llano still had some spunk in their pants.  Great last play of the game by Llano.

  Senior Layton Rabb threw for over 300 yards.  Senior Carter Tatsch had about 110 yards rushing, with a 7 yard average.  The offensive line must get credit for those two stats.  But the eleven plays that Llano lost yardage, or only gained one yard in critical spots is worrisome.

   Game balls go to Jacket receivers.  Carter caught 2 for 38 yards.  Kralen one for 9 yards.  Senior speedster Chance Ware 2 catches for 110 yards and a TD.  And junior Jalen Bauman has taken his game to the next level.  I love the change in his attitude.  The seriousness of his approach to playing.  You see the change in the way he carries himself, and catching the ball with his hands is going to the next level.  Five catches for 92 yards.  Great game.   But senior Issac Hutto is already at that next level.  The go to man for Rabb,  Issac’s five catches and the TD catch over the cornerback in over-time was just plain special.  Beautiful pass and catch.

   Special notice to Mason Ladd and his kick-off returns…6 for 128 yards.  Kept Llano in good field position.

   Gatesville is next.  Llano will beat Gatesville. Llano will want this game more.  Llano’s 23 seniors will want this game more. Llano’s defense will want to show and prove they are better than 57 points.  Llano by 21.

   THe Liberty Hill Panthers more than showed they were a top 20 team in 3-AAA Texas High School football.  And Llano played very good football for two quarters.  After that, it was all Panthers.

   I have the hardest time understanding the numbers game.  How can a school continue to win year after year and run the same offense, and never try to trick anyone?  It is getting easier.  Liberty Hill plays in a new Stadium built for a 5-AAAAA school.  They have about 30 more boys to choose from out of each class to play football.  They win.  Move-ins are a big factor.  Parents want their kids to play on winning teams.  It has all worked for the Panthers.  The only 3-AAA school in the Austin area.  This combination has made it tough on a school like Llano.  Less than 500 in high school.  Our district foes average near 900.  What do I not understand.?

   Llano played hard.  But it was quality depth that won the day.  Llano has one experienced running back.  Liberty Hill had 5.  And Llano matched the Panthers point for point until the final drive of the first half, which ended at 21-14.  It looked good at the half way  point.

   Senior quarterback Layton Rabb was back, completing passes to senior Issac Hutto(5 catches- 74 Yards), Chance Ware (4 catches 46 yards) and Jalen Bauman (5 catches-24 Yards), Carter Tasch ( 2 catches- 11 yards) and Kralen Dickerson- one catch and five yards.  But it was not enough.  Tatsch had 44 yards rushing, while Layton had 64 yards on 11 tries.

   All in all, a good effort, but Llano seemed to die in the second half.  That cannot happen this week.  Llano must go back to being LLano.  Seniors are responsible for this. And Llano has 22 seniors.  Leadership shows up in tough times.  The Jackets must realize now is the time.  You have only four more games left in your football careers.  Four weeks, and it is all over.  Make it count seniors.

   The University of Texas was dead meat only 5 days ago.  But the senior offensive lineman made a tough stance.  No body was going to push them around anymore.  It was a mental decision.  They did not get bigger, or faster.  They got tougher from the shoulder pads up.  They were not going to take it anymore.  They fired out into the mouths of defensive players.  They drove and got secondary blocks.  The offensive lineman did this.  In the span of  one game, Texas had a running game.  No longer were backs tackled in the back field.  No longer were passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.   And Texas became the team it was imagined it could be.

   Llano seniors, and specifically, lineman, blockers, backs, all must step up against Lanpasas.  Llano must take responsibility for their play.  Llano can beat the Badgers.  BUt only when they decide that they are not going to take it anymore.  Don’t take it from Lampasas.

Give it to them.  Llano by 19.

   The Fighting Llano Yellow Jackets take their 2-3 pre-district record to Liberty Hill Friday night to begin 8-AAA District play.  I will make a presumption that Layton Rabb will play this week.  Should he not, just trash this article.  The Jackets would go back to Plan B should Rabb not play.

   The good for Llano is that the “other”  players on the 2013 team found out they were pretty good. They discovered they could play with the other big 3-AAA schools and not be embarrassed.  They discovered they could play very strong defense and keep their team in the football game.  In fact, Llano was in a position to win the past two games late in the game, but just did not pull it out.  But, they could have.  There should be no lack of confidence in this team.  The Jackets have played hard and this is a much better team at this time now, as compared to the 2012 team.  With Rabb, Llano has a good chance to win 8-3AAA.

   With Rabb out for 5 weeks, we cannot expect him to be Rabb of old.  Layton will still be weak somewhat, and it will take him time to get his timing down.  That is where the seniors show up for game time.  This senior team can step up.  This defense, while allowing only 18 points per game, will have to play better.  Yes, even better.  Mansell, Reven, Penny, Ladd,  Arredondo, Tiffin, Steffen, Villegas, Long, Lynch, Hutto, and Ware must play their best.  Best ever to beat the Panthers.  Harp, Webb, Ekstrom, center, Forrister, Durham, Yelvington, Dickerson and Stiles …yes your best.  Simpson, Stiles, and Burch…your best.   Jones, Jordan, Miller, Shoemate, Blackmon, Mayne, Riley…your best.  And our best play makers…Bauman and Tatsch…your best game.  You all have it in you to play harder and smarter.  Gang tackle.  Block until the whistle blows.  No show offs.  No penalties.  Think about it and do not try to be the hero. Be the team player and play hard to the end.  It feels funny, but I feel and know Llano can beat the Panthers.  Llano by 7.

   I can’t feel bad about the 2-3 Jackets.  Had  Llano been healthy, we would be 4-1.  But still, Llano is playing hard.  The defense, statically, is the best in 8 years.  Allowing only 92 points in 5 games works out to 18.4 points per game.  That is winning football.  So many players have stepped up. Seniors Eli Tiffin, Blain Steffen and Tristan Lynch get better every game.  Senior Ryan Mansell is a monster at times.  Juniors Lance Reven and Clancy Durham play hard every play.  Senior workhorse Caleb Penny did not play the second half against the Billies but will be 100% in the first district game against Liberty Hill  He is playing tough like the leader he is.  And cannot speak high enough of our secondary.  Lead by Mason Ladd, Tommy Yelvington, Sawyer Stiles, Lynch, Chance Ware and Kralen Dickerson…this group is just plain old good. May be one of the best groups in the secondary in many years.  And love the play of Arron Moss, Erich Burch, Eliazar Villegas  and Grant Jones.  All show up to play 100%.  If the gang tackling continues, Llano could be very much in the mix in District 8-AAA.

   The line must get better.  Should injured senior quarterback  Layton Rabb return, or if junior Holden Simpson continues as play caller,  more time is needed in the pocket, and more surge must happen up front.  Running back Carter Tatsch is averaging close to 100 yards rushing per game.  But too many times he is downed in the back field for losses even before he takes a step.  This line could be very good.  Now is the time to step up and fire into the mouths of the defensive lineman. 

   Really want to see Issac Hutto and Jalen Bauman get the ball more.  Both very talented.  And with 10 touches for these two a game, you will see another 100 yards in offensive output.  Must get the ball to them, where ever they line up.

   Hutto continues to keep Llano close with consistent punting.  I had Issac with a 43 yard average against the Billies on 8 kicks.  That field advantage is invaluable.  Keep it up!

   Llano has the week off.  Time for injuries to heal.  Time to reflect.  Time to see the big picture.  Llano will be ready.  I’m excited about the opportunity.  Next week we will look at the other teams in our District.

Little to say about the Boerne game.  The Jackets were flat.  Little speed or get up and go could be seen.  These things do happen.  Maybe Llano should have expected a let down at some point.  Beating two good teams in Bangs and Bandera after the Layton Rabb  surgery was little else but “winning by determination”.  Llano played three inexperienced quarterbacks, and all played very well.  Holden Simpson, Tyler Stiles and Jalen Bauman.  Winning by committee rarely works.  It did for two weeks this time.  But emotion will not carry the Jackets the rest of the way.

   The main reason Llano had some let down, is that the energy of gang tackling was not as important has it was in the first three games this season.  So many times, the Jackets had 4, 5 , 7 players in on a tackle.  Not so in the Boerne game.  The seniors must regain that edge this week against Fredericksburg. Mansell, Tiffin, Trevor Penny and Clancy Durham  must keep the pressure on up front. Gang tackles prevent long gains.  Still, cannot complain about the over-all defense.  At this juncture,  Llano is allowing 19 points per game.  Great improvement over past years.  Give up only 19 points a game in the next 6 games, and the Jackets will win district.

   But beating Fredericksburg is all that matters now.  After three weeks of home games, LLano travels to ‘Billie town.  Llano has won 4 of the last 5 contest with Fredericksburg.  Continued great play from Kralen Dickerson, Mason Ladd and Arron Moss, as well as linebacker Lance Reven  should keep the game close.  Llano must find some offense.  The offensive line must provide more blocking for running back Carter Tasch. Giberto Arredondo and Eli Tiffin must provide the leadership to get the offense moving.  Key to beating Fredericksburg.

   Keys to beating the Billies?  Get the ball to the key play makers.  Reven at tight end.  Jumping for high balls by 6’4 Issac Hutto.  Getting Carter to the outside in a power sweep. And his best plays to date are still the screen pass.  Llano has had it’s off week.  Now, back to work.  Llano by 17 over Fredericksburg.

   It has been a few years since Llano beat a ranked 3-AAA school 29 spots above our 77th ranking.  And it has been a few since we won on Homecoming Game .  This win over 48th ranked Bandera was special, and for several reasons.

   Llano came from behind in the second half and won.

   Llano played better in the second half than the first half.

   Llano’s three quarterbacks played with passion and guts.  Can’t say enough about Tyler Stiles(5 for 5 passing, 74 yards).  Holden Simpson (7 for 11, 93 yards), and wildcat QB Jalen Bauman (5 Catches for 62 yards)…all were playing with caution and leadership.  I loved it.  These three young men stepping in for injured senior QB Layton Rabb may be keeping the bed warm, but it is comfortable now with any of three in the game.  Much credit to a very strong coaching staff.   Llano was not suppose to win this game.  Van Harris(The Harris Poll) will sharpen his pen this week deciding how and what to expect from the Jackets.

   Jacket interceptions by Jalen, senior Kralen Dickerson, and junior Tommy Yelvington has put the Jacket defense back to a place to being important.  Thier take aways won the game.  But great effort up front played a big part. Blain Steffen, Caleb Penny and junior linebacker Lance Reven applied lots of pressure.  Sawyer Stiles continues to be stellar.  Mason Ladd is having a super season.  The secondary is so much improved.  Last season Llano would have given up so much more than we did this week.  Bandera is a good football team.  You can expect them in this years play-offs.  Jacket secondary play puts Llano on the same tract.

   Carter Tatsch now has 384 yards rushing after three games.  The key is to get Carter to the outside.  His speed is special…not between the tackles.  Yet big Gilberto Arredondo and Colton Center are getting better each week.  They have to.  Their leadership must help Llano be more deverse.  Running up the middle is still needed.  Cody Harp, Jordan Webb and Mr. Thinking Man, senior Eli Tiffin can make this unit really special.  Llano is winning because these guys have not taken themselves serious yet.  Getting better every week is the key.  Getting better.

   Issac Hutto’s punting is becoming more  of  a weapon each week.  It gives our defense a chance.  Along with his skills at wide receiver, Issac is that leadership that is making this team special.

   Llano’s 2-1 record  could have been 1-2.  But this win was a team win. Everyone did their jobs.  Justin Long, Harley Shoemate and Jordan Blackmon hustled like the devil on special teams.  Tristan Lynch plays hard every play.  And does Erich Burch.  Take no plays off, and your team will win.

   Boerne suited out 52 players last year.  Their 958 enrollment is one of the big boys in 3-AAA.  Llano’s 498 says this game will be easy for the Greyhounds.  A play-off team in 2012, look for a tough week for all.  But Llano is focused.  Beating Boerne will be one more building block.  Llano by 16.

   Few teams in 3-AAA football plan for their third option at quarterback to become a reality with only a few hours notice, but it did. .  Layton Rabb, after starting the last 16 games over three seasons,  goes to the hospital Friday morning for an emergency surgery.  So let’s go with last years’ quarterback, Holden Simpson.  Oops!  He played the night before leading the JV team.   Into the quarterback situation walks 5’9 Tyler Stiles whom taking a snap at varsity quarterback will only happen for the first time at 7:30 PM…Friday night.

   If Friday nights are made for memories, last Friday night will be in Tyler’s brain forever.  Steping in at quarterback for the Jackets, and while not having to win the game all alone, he too had to not lose the game.  That burden was tremendous on his 150 pound frame.  No fumbles (although I am sure I could see his hands shaking in that first series), no penalties, no interceptions, 4 of 7 passing for 43 yards…Tyler managed this win over the Bangs Dragons just fine.  Wow !  What a tale to tell 50 years from now.  Great game, great effort Tyler.

   Tyler had help.  Issac Hutto had two of the catches.  Junior Lance Reven played great at linebacker.  Cornerback Mason Ladd is having an all-star season, and only two games into the season.  Seniors Jordan Webb, Caleb Penny, juniors Cody Harp and Clancy Durham, and sophomore Colton Center were doing something right.  Senior running back Carter Tatsch rushed for 262 yards and that will get you into the record book for a single game.  And that is what it took to win this game.

   Llano had to change its game plan from the moment Coaches knew Layton was not playing.  Likely one would have expected 25 pass attempts.   10 runs by Carter.  6 catches by Issac.  All of that changed Friday morning.  And to the credit of the Coaches, they were able to sale the new approach in a matter of hours.  Carter carried the big load, with 26 carries.  Tyler managed, and players like Ryan Mansell, Jalen Bauman, Eliazar Villegas and Justin Long played defense.  Held Bangs to 247 total yards…winning football.

   Erich Burch and senior Eli Tiffin played better this week.  Eli’s leadership was invaluable this past week.  Senior Chance Ware is great on kick-offs, and plays very well at cornerback.  And Tommy Yelvington had a very strong game.  Bauman’ “wildcat”  out of the quarterback position was a new good look, and Jalen can and will wear many hats this season.  And a great weapon that gets over-looked…Issac Hutto as punter keeps Llano in good field position.

   This was a very good win.  Llano overcame lots!  But beating Bandera this week will come down to 25 players all stepping up another notch.  But that is where we are.  Llano can still beat Bandera, and be more improved with each week.  Llano does not have to get great on one Friday night.  The Jackets just need to keep getting better.  It is baby steps.  Winning at Homecoming is just another step up.  Llano by 10.

   The 2013 football season got off to a slow beginning in Wimberley last Friday night.  Yet a Yellow Jacket defense that held on fourth down after an 11 play drive to the 12 yard line put a spark into the Jackets’ offense.  On third down senior quarterback Layton Rabb hit junior Jalen Bauman on a pass in which Jalen fought off three defenders all the way into the end zone.  It was the first score of the game, and Jalen’s effort nothing less than Yellow Jacket tough.  Then junior David Forrister kicked true for a 7-0 lead.

   The problem was not effort.  It was the little things.  Llano’s defense still could not get the Texans off the field.  A 12 play drive by Wimberley and a score still had Llano up by 7-6. But now the Jacket defense had play 23 plays in the first quarter.

   Rabb found Jalen again for a 27 yard completion, as well as a 12 yard completion to senior Kralen Dickerson.  Eigth more to senior Issac Hutto…9 more for completion again to Jalen, and a screen pass to senior Carter tatsch for 13 had the jackets on the 40 yard line.   There the offense stalled.  And Wimberley roared back in four plays and scored .  Then the wheels came off.  An interception that was run back for a TD, a Jacket fumble and Llano never recovered.

   The first game must be “where do we need to improve”?  A quick look.  Issac and Layton punted well, coverage was great..Eliazar Villegas gets down field, and love the way he plays cornerback.  Mason Ladd played like the senior and experienced player he is.  Had two interceptions.  Had a great game.  Caleb Penny was all over the place playing the 3-technique (In the middle).  Ryan Mansell could grow into being a great defensive player.  Needs to play hard every down.  Junior Lance Reven had a great game at linebacker.  Becoming a real leader early in the season just by style of play.  Colton Ekstrom had a strong game.  Chance Ware will get better.  Had a good game at cornerback.

   I have to believe the offense will get better, and more consistant.  sophomore Colton Center along with Gilberto Arredondo and Cody Harp were off on their timing a bit.  Will need to give Layton a little more time.  Layton will also need to speed the game up a bit.  And the line must help with the run game.  Senior Carter Tatsch was smothered as he took the ball.  Holding blocks will change everything.  Issac will be open on the down and out, but he must get the ball.  Jalen shows what he can do when he does get the ball.  Hold those blocks longer men.

  My expectations are still the same.  Llano will play better this week against Bangs.  Bangs is a top 20 team in 2-AA.  May even be picked to beat Llano this week according to “Harris”.  Harris picked Wimberley last week by 17.  I think again, he just got lucky, and this week, I will be the lucky one.  Llano by 14.

   Few seasons have I been so unprepared.  With new duties in town, and key members of my family packing up and going on with their lives, it has been one wild summer.  Yet, when the smoke clears….one ingredient stays the same.  Llano Yellowjacket football.

   Did not plan on letting the season get ahead of me, but this one did.  The last four years, step-son Matt Center has been the focus at our house.  Knew every minute what was going on.  This year, not so much.

   I think there is some let down from a parents point of view.  When Tory graduated and went off to SMU, boy was my focus more in Highland Park, Texas than in LLano.  But that season jerked my head quickly, as legendary coach John Parchmann turned Llano’s program around in only weeks.

   When Jerrod graduated, the same thing took place.  Many of Jerrod’s friends are stacked in the record books, and I can still see Brian Smith throwing to receiving great Michael White for so many yards and so many catches.  Jerrod’s class was special and so under coached.

   And now I want to get back in the saddle.  And the reasons are many.  Non less than Coach Craig Slaughter and his coaching staff that has brought the Jackets back to being “in the mix”.   Sure, Texas Football magazine has us picked 5th in the District.  But where else could we be picked.  Brownwood, Gatesville, Liberty Hill, and Burnet!  No weak sisters here.  But I can say now, unlike like season, no one likes playing Llano.  And 2013 is only goiong to reinforce that.  A Slaughter team is always going to be ready.  And the improvement from 2011 by a full 10 points in differential of scores has Llano back on track.

   What to look for?  I can only talk offense today. Our skill people are going to light up the score board.  Our offense will be fast and quick.  Llano has not had as fast a running back in Carter Tasch in at least a decade.  Maybe longer.  Ty Thuirman being close.  And a better set of hands in Issac Hutto with few competitiors.  Isacc had three TD catch game last season as a junior, tying a school record.

   But the spotlight will be on senior quarterback Layton Rabb.  Rabb as a junior threw for 1,899 yards, 15 Td passes, one game of 354 yards, and completed 26 passes in another.  My expectations are high.  Rabb to Hutto could be so special.

   The key to these guys success will be five lineman who will get little recognition, except in this space.  Let me learn their names first.  I will pass their accomplishments along.

   The defense will be better, and more aggressive.  But their first test against the Texans Friday night will be so important.  Playing with confidense is the key to playing great defense.  Let’s watch the Jacket defense control this game….just like the old days.

   Don’t know why I feel so good about Llano, but a Jacket win in Wimberley …..28-14 sounds about right.