Play to Win

   The 55-28 lost to Liberty Hill had so many different signals, that a four way stop sign intersection would be more managable.  Had you told me that Llano would out gain Liberty Hill by 119 yards, then I would take that as a win.  Tell me that Layton and Rhett would have record book entries in one game, I’d take that as a win.  Tell me that Caleb Penny would have a great game at linebacker…I’m good….tell me that Carter Tatsch would come in for injured Storey Tatsch, and rush for 98 yards, and Allen Lucas would carry 8 times for a 5.4 yard average…I’m very good…all of this telling me that Taylor Stewart, Eli Tiffin, Giberto Arredondo, Russell Webb, Jacob Beasley, Ryan West, and freshman Colton Center were controlling the line of scrimmage.  558 yards against the #8 team in the State in 3-A!  And don’t let me forget the play of Jake Rodriguez and Cooper Hill on special teams.  Hill, with Tristan Sabrsula and Nick Bornholt were stopping the Liberty Hills super slot-t attack.  Matt Center had 5 catches from Rabb, and Devin Mayne makes plays that count.  Junior Sawyer Stiles had three catches from Rabb, and Mason Ladd had a very good game.  Kralen Dickerson is playing more every game, and getting better.  David Durham has stepped up his play and with Storey Tatach out, in comes senior Pedro Perez who kicks three extra points like he has been at this his whole life.  Sophomore Jalen Bauman had an 11 yard catch and will be more involved as the district rolls on.  And senior Zach Morgan keeps pace with his punting average of over 35 yards, and playing very well at defensive end.

   But, the Jackets lost to a good team.  Liberty Hill is still very good. They had a run back of 85 yards on the opening kick-off, and a punt return for a TD, and a 60 yard TD run, all by super star Jadon Boatright.  Llano was right there.  The Jackets  allowed too many big plays, and still need work on tackling 5 feet 3 inch running backs.  Liberty Hill had two!

   Lampasas is another slot-t running football team.  They have no running backs that are 5 foot 3 inches, so this may get easier.  Llano has played the Badgers 40 times over the past 60 years, and have only won 8, with two ties.  I really think Llano will travel to Lampasas with a little skip in their walk.  Llano played Liberty Hill pretty darn good.  The passing game was really on.  Devin, Matt, Rhett, Mason, Sawyer, and Wil Siegenthaler all can catch, and Layton distributes the ball very well.  Give the ball to Carter, let the big guys block, and everyone bear down harder on defense, and the Lampasas game is very winnable.  Play defense against the slot-t like the Liberty Hill game, and the Jackets come out on top with another road victory this season.  Llano can win their remaining games.  Getting to the play-offs is what the big picture is all about.  It starts Friday night in Lampasas.

One last thought.  Several weeks ago, Coach Slaughter, at his Friday weekly Booster club meeting, mentioned that there were 178 plays, I think in the Bandera Game!  Llano had 34 running plays and 39 passes in the Liberty Hill game.  I had Liberty Hill with 56 plays.  So many teams have gone to the no huddle offense in order to run more plays.  It is more easy to do the no huddle when you run a formation like the slot-t….you really only have about 6 plays…call them at the line of scrimmage….but a passing attack has more to think about….The Jackets averaged about 7 yards per snap against Liberty Hill.  If Llano could run about 90 plays a game…well…you do the Math!!!  Llano 35, Lampasas 24.

    When the 2009 LLano Yellow Jackets played Liberty Hill in the last game of the 2009 football season, Llano was a 3-5 team.  Little to look forward to, except one thing…beat Liberty Hill.  Llano won that meaningless game at the end of the 2009 season, except, even today, it does mean something.

   The difference is clear.  The first district game of 8-3A, means everything.  The 2-3 Yellow Jackets have every reason in the world to make this the most important game of their lives.  # 8 ranked Liberty Hill comes to Llano a very heavy favorite.  Llano has some injuries that are still on the mend.  One two way starter will not play.  The stage is set for a big a Jacket upset, and these 2012  seniors are just the guys to pull it off.

   Play like you did against Wimberley in quarters 2-4.  Play like you did against Bangs in all four quarters.  Play like you did against Bandera in the fourth quarter, and for that matter, like you did against Fredericksburg the last 8 minutes.  You see….Llano has played great football in spots this season.  In places, they have played above thier abilities.

   Friday night, Llano will have to play four full quarters in order to win.  If you get behind, play harder, and when you get ahead, play harder.  Make this the most important game of your life.

    LLano by 12.

   I can’t imagine how timing has played a more important part than the off week for the 2-3 LLano Yellow Jackets.  When you tackle the word “adversity”, I think this is what they meant.

   Go back to only last Friday night, the slow beginning at the Fredericksburg game again spelled disaster for Llano.  Getting behind 14-0 early could have been over come, but in comes a rain storm that had little mercy on a football team that had to come from behind to win.  But, with a football that looked like a medicine ball when quarterback Layton Rabb attempted a pass, and running backs that looked like they were playing on a glass table, the football Gods had this game plan in a wreck before anyone knew what to do. The late effort by Llano was not enough, and the 14-6 final score was a horrible disappointment.  This was one game Llano let get away.

   The injuries seem to mount, and sickness as well.  By the following Monday, three starters had been to the doctors, and it will take a few more days to get everyone back to speed physically.  Junior Issac Hutto, a two way starter still may not see action again for several weeks.  The Open Week is a blessing.

   But, to put all of this into prospective, the loss of senior Drew Buttery in an accident Sunday morning made other worries seem trivial.  Drew, while not on the football team this season, had greater horizons to still master.  His loss to the community is one I have never seen.  The City of Llano was so strangley silent all week.  And the loss to his dearest friends will last for a lifetime.  I am one that firmly believes everything has a time, and a purpose.  The loss of Drew will never be understood, but for his family, and closest friends, his life will stand for so much.  It is just up to all of us as a community and his family to try and make sense of the loss, and make sure his momory stands forever.  I know his life will live on forever.

   In the summer of 1967, Stanly Horlen, a senior to be, passed away.  Stanley was my best friend in Johnson City in the first and second grades. Both families moved back to Llano beginning in the third grade.  As the years went by, I guess we drifted apart, due to his concentration on academics, and I leaned more toward athletics.  And to my surprise, even 45 years later, I still think of Stanley, and remember his big hearty laugh, and so keen of a sense of humor.  I still miss him today.

   A football loss is a minor thing in the scope of life.  But the memories that are stamped out in granite last a lifetime.  The Yellow Jackets are making memories, and that less than 100% effort in each and every endeavor, and each and every play,  will be called regrets.  Every effort must be made to cause less  regrets in ones life.  One Llano Yellow Jacket told me that the 100% effort by Drew in everything he did is the memory he leaves with us all.  This past week leaves us with a  memory of the loss of a special friend. One that will never be forgotten.

   The Yellow Jackets , now 2-3 for the season…have this week off.  The Open Week hopefully can help with much needed healing.  I will publish this weeks article, no later than Wednesday of this week….thank you for your interest, mikel virdell

   The 2012 Yellow Jackets carry a 2-2 record into this Friday’ nites’ game against a very long-time rival, the Fredericksburg ‘Billies.  The Jackets are host for the Homecoming game.  This should come as old hat, as the Jackets have seen three Homecomings in a row at away games.  Playing back in Llano should help inspire the Jackets to play four full quarters.

   Llano has played very good at times this season.  And they played very good Friday night against Boerne , at times.  It just was not consistant good play.  When the offense finally fired up, it put 27 points on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter.  In the third quarter, the defense limited the Greyhounds to three plays and 7 yards.  What happened to Llano in the other three quarters is explained in two words.  Gang tackeling.

   Against Wimberley and against Bangs, Llano gang tackled.  When a hand was on a runner, it was no time before someone else was there.  The past two weeks we have gotten away from that single aspect of the game.  When everyone on the defense wants to be in on the tackle, you will have very little of the spinning out and breaking for long runs.  Boerne’s 185 pound Bryce Collins had a career night on runs after the first hit. Collins had eight runs for 165 yards, and Llano had a hand on him in the backfield many of those runs.  Llano was in position.  The players were where they were supposed to be but just did not make the plays.  Gang tackling will stop a lot of those second moves, those spin-outs, and those big gains after the first hit.  Llano must go back to that kind of effort.  Gang tackling has nothing to do with nothing except expectations of ones self.  Every defensive player takes responsibility of making sure he is in on every single tackle.  When he is not, he makes sure is in on the next play.

   Can’t put this all on the defense, although great effort was on display by senior Nick Bornholt, Wil Siegenthaler, Carter Tatsch, and Mason Ladd.  Still, most improved football player to date is senior Zach Morgan.  Also, junior Gilberto Arredondo had a good game.  Still love the great effort every week from David Durham on special teams.  One last note of observation.  No one is loafing here.  Old bad habits are very hard to break.  This team can be very good.  But each player must take it upon himself to improve every single day at practice.

   Effort  on offense is different.  It actually takes more thinking.  But few watching Llano can say that senior Rhett Brooks does not give 100% every play.  When plays have stopped, Rhett is still churning.  Much of this is on Rhett.  But effort downfield by senior Devin Mayne blocking, Jacob Beasley blocking, and Ryan West ‘s effort are reasons as well. Need to  also mention that while playing sparingly, but with great effort, is 240 pound freshman Colton Center. The more he plays, the better he gets.

      Layton Rabb had his first interception of the season, and this is not to pick on Layton….one interception in four games…that is very strong ability of taking care of the football.  Good receivers in Mayne, Matt Center, junior Sawyer Stiles, Wil,  junior Kralen Dickerson, Rhett, senior Kasidy Pitcox,  and senior Allen Lucas all help make Layton a high percentage passer.

   Senior Taylor Stewart at center plays hard every play. As does Russell Webb.  And the Jackets may have found some real relief for running backs Storey Tatsch and Rhett.  Senior Allen Lucas can run the football.  Super effort, and he puts an energy on the field that at times becomes a real spark in this offense. One  Friday night soon, this Jacket team will put it all together, and that night will be something very special to see.

   Llano got behind 21-0 against Boerne.  This would have been an easy time for the Jackets just to take a knee.  And when Llano came back after the half, the Jackets had two long drives.  One for 11 plays, that resulted in not making it on fourth down.   The Jackets came right back with an 18 play drive.  18 plays is unheard of in one drive.  Too many chances to make a mistake, yet, the Jackets finally scored, opening the fourth quarter.  But, so did Boerne. Again, it looked bleak.  The Jackets kept fighting. This is character in the making.  Llano did not quit against Boerne, and any team facing this 2012 squad would do well not to think it is in this team to ever  stop fighting.

  Since the first time that Llano played Fredericksburg in the 1920s, the Billies have owned the Jackets.  It’s a very lopsided rivalry.  But the Jackets have beaten the Billies in 3 of the last four contests.  And more to the point, the Billies are a big 3-A school.  With a new reenergized coach they are getting better.  They were better last year, and beat Llano.  They will be better this year.  But so are the Jackets.  Llano by 14.

   Since the first day on LHS campus, Head football Caoch Craig Slaughter and his staff have set the bar high.  It took only minutes until the Yellow Jacket football team bought into a new scheme, new attitude, and a new beginning.  But for all of this effort, tons of energy was spent.  According to a few sources, the “Yellow Jackets had never worked this hard”.  And the reward came early in the transition.

   The Yellow Jackets played their hearts out out against 3A State Champion Wimberley, only to fall 27-26 in week 0. Traveling to Bangs and their Homecoming game, the Jackets could have taken a breather.  But they had none of that.  A 50 to 23 romp against a very strong Dragon team could have set up the perfect storm for the Bandera game.  Llano now was just a little cocky, a tab bit in believing their own press.  And how could that be?  Here is a team that has now won just one game in their last 11… and they’re over confident?  It went to attitude, never too far away from the heart.  Slaughter’s staff found it, and brought it back to life.  The new coaches inspired this group of young men to simply go back…go back into believing in themselves again.  The seniors had not forgotten.  They just had to been reminded.  Hard work, repetition, and more hard work would get results.  And the first two weeks of play only reinforced that.

  Llano did not  play up to the effort of the first two games.  But I knew they could not sustain that effort without, at least, getting a little stutter in their step before they went forward.  Bandera was the stutter step needed.  Llano needed this awaking game to remind them that every game was not going to be Bangs.  Gang tackling was not going to happen unless everyone was in on the gang.  Just that tiniest of let-up allowed Bandera to stay close.  Just that slightest of not going 100% every single play, actually put Llano at risk.  The Jackets needed this scare.  The 39-26 final score could have been 39-0, but the Jackets eased up on the peddle for a moment.  They picked the right time to do that.

   I had told myself that Llano could be 0-3 at this point in the season.  And next Llano plays a Boerne team that made the play-offs in 2011, with 8 returning starters back, and a team that averaged over 31 points a game in 2011.  Llano could have faced a bleak prospect in game four.  Boerne is a team the Jackets have not played in decades.  Little is known about the Greyhounds, other than they would be a hard test for Llano.  In mid- summer I had deep worries.

   Now, with a 2-1 record, Llano knows it can beat a good Boerne team.  It also knows… no letting up.  The game is too fragile.  An injury here, and mistake there, and the game that looks easy becomes the killer.  Llano is not so good, that any team can be over- looked.  The Greyhounds will be a very tough test for Llano. Oh yes, again, Llano travels to Boerne, and yes, I’ve been told, it is Homecoming.

   Who played very good against Bandera?  I think Taylor Stewart, Cooper Hill, and Jacob Beasley blocked pretty good.  Jake Rodriguez takes his play on special teams very serious.  He and Kralen Dickerson are becoming special on special teams.  Wil Siegenthaler, Mason Ladd (Interception), and Carter Tatsch get better each week.  Kassidy Pitcox had good plays, as did Eli Tiffin. Eli went out with an unknown injury. Hope he his back ASAP.  Pedro Perez hustled on special teams.  And Caleb Penny had his best game. 

   The best play of the night was easy for me.  Layton Rabb, starting his 8th varsity game, is completing about 70% of his passes in three games.  More amazing, he has 6 TD passes, and no interceptions.  But he made a play Friday night that was the best play he has ever had.  In the second quarter, with the score at 14-12, Llano was on the 10 yardline of the Bulldogs.  It was third down.  As Layton dropped back, there was a good rush, and a very strong rush from the left side as Layton rolled that direction.  It looked like a sure sack from where I sat.  But Layton slid back toward the center, and hit a waving Devin Mayne as he was streaking from right to left in the back of the end zone, where Layton hit him in stride for the TD.  Layton kept his eyes looking downfield, when he could have been watching for someone to take his head off.  Very heads-up play!  And Mayne is becoming a very valuable target for Layton as the Jackets head into the meat of the schedule.  Layton has been spreading the football.  Besides Rhett Brooks, Matt Center and Storey Tatsch,…. Sawyer Stiles, Carter, Pitcox, Wil, Allen Lucas, along with leading receiver Issac Huto gives Layton confidence with several sure handed receivers.

   The Jackets are giving up about 300 yards per game on defense.  Improving that number closer to 200 yards allowed per game will make the defense harder to handle for any team.  The Jackets are averaging 38 points per game scoring.  They will need every single one of the 38 points against the Greyhounds.  Llano by 12.

   One goes back well over a year since the Llano Yellow Jackets put up 50 points against a good team.  Llano was greeted by the host Bangs Dragons last Friday night by holding their Homecoming Game when Llano came to town.  But the Jackets were the only ones celebrating on a perfect night in Bangs.  The 50-23 victory ended a 10 game Yellow Jacket losing streak, and will raise eye brows across 8-3AAA as the Jackets were not considered a factor going into the 2012 season.

   Coach Craig Slaughter holds a booster club meeting on Fridays at 11:30…last week at Inmans’…this week will be at Coopers….everyone should try and go…listen to the young spirit tell about our kids, and it helps to fill in the gaps with a period of questions at the end of a 40 minute program.  Slaughters’ big concern, and everyone in Jacket Nation was how would our players respond after the 27-26 loss to defending Champion Wimberley Texans the week before.  Llano could respond many ways, but Slaughter did not “want our Jackets to lose to the Texans” two weeks in a row. (Allowing that game dictate the next game) The Jackets had to put that game away, and concentrate on Bangs.  The Dragons have been good, and are highly ranked this season in 2-AA.  Llano had not beaten the Dragons since 2008.  But as soon as the kick-off, Llano had the Texans in their rear view mirror, and sights set on the Dragons.

   Junior quarterback Layton Rabb set up on the 46 yard line, after a 29 yard kick-off return by Carter Tatsch.  Rabb hit Allen Lucas for 8 yards.  Senior tailback Rhett Brooks ran for 37 yards  down to the 9 yard line. And Rhett carries it in from the 9.  Then Llano went for two, with Wil Siegenthaler throwing to Rhett for the 8-0 lead, very early in the game.

   Bangs has one of the best quarterbacks Llano will see this season.  JT Newton started last season, and as a junior, he is better.  But, so is Llano.  Bangs made two first downs, and after 7 plays, and 12 net yards, the Dragons punted.  Defensive players showing up strong began with Zach Morgan at defensive end, senior Tristan Sabrsula at the 2-technique got his first sack, Mason Ladd in the secondary, along with Lucas, and Rhett.

   Llano began its next drive late in the first quarter, and went 14 plays with runs by senior Wil Siegenthaler, Rhett, senior Matt Center.  But the night belonged to Rabb.  Key catches from Rabb went to Lucas, Rhett, senior Kassity Pitcox, and the final 10 yards from Rabb to junior Issac Hutto for the score.  Storey kicked good, and Llano lead 15-0.

   Next came a safety as Wil, and Allen and Morgan got the 2 pointer in the end zone.  After an exchange of fumbles, Rabb hit Issac again for a 12 yard scoring pass and catch.  LLano now lead 24-0.  The Dragons scored at the end of the quarter, and so did Llano.  Rabb dropped back, and hit a streaking Devin Mayne over the middle for a 35 yard TD pass.  Score at halftime was 31-7.  

   For the half, the Jacket defense  held the Dragons to 53 total yards on 21 plays.  Rabb was 10 of 11 passing for 131 yards. Hutto had 4 of the catches, and Rhett had the ground yards.  LLano was not finished, but clearly this new coaching staff had the new Yellow Jackets focused.

   Llano did not let up.  The defense limited the Dragons to 44 yards in the fourth quarter. Quarterback sacks by Issac and Caleb set the Jacket defense tone. Llano’s offense watched at Storey and Rhett carries the load on the ground, with the exception that #68 got his first score of the season, getting a heads-up loose ball .  # 68 is senior Ryan West, and great find in this strong senior class.  I look for more scoring from Ryan! 

   Rabb was 4 for 5  passing in the third quarter. Catches by Matt, Pitcox, Wil, and Issac showed the control Rabb had this point, spreading the ball around, with little rhyme to it.  Just hope Bandera did not see anything. 

   The offensive line got better as the game went on.  Senior Taylor Stewart looked like the player he was before last seasons bad injury.  Jacob Beasley may be at the moment, the most steady.  Few would argue that Tristan is not the toughest, and sometimes, the one few want to go up against.  West, Edward Gallo got quality playing time in.  Junior Russell Webb and Ryan Mansell got time in, and I see both being seasoned by district play.  Junior Eli Tiffin is making a hand on defense.  He with Caleb Penny and Daniel Durham had many plays I noticed as I wrote their numbers on the page.  And can’t leave out junior David Durham, who got to run the football later in the game, and ran strong and hard.  Two players that made  plays were Kralen Dickerson and Sawyer Stiles.  Both block well, and are high energy.  With Cooper Hill, these two help anchor special teams that have yet to error.  I may have missed a few, but I too need another week to figure out everyone and their numbers.

   It was great to get the win…but, Llano plays again this week.  The Jackets travel to Bandera.  We have split the last four meetings, 2-2.  Always seems Bandera plays Llano well, and this week is no exception.  Would not be surprised if the Jackets do not see more Homecomings.  But, now it is serious.  The District is muddled right now.  LLano, better than advertised.  Question mark with Burnet and Brownwood.  For sure Gatesville can’t be overlooked.  So the only way to worry about those games is to get better every week.  We are over Wimberley.  We beat Bangs.  Bandera is now in our sights.  Llano by 21.

   When you hear “once in a blue moon”, you may not know that actually has real meaning concerning the moon!  A great retired LHS teacher told me Friday night that it was the times in which a full moon appeared twice in the same month.  Does not happen often.  And the next time will be in 2015.  Friday night in Jacket Stadium, was a blue moon, the second happening in August.

   The 26 to 27 loss to State Champion Wimberley Friday night will not happen again in August, but one thing is for sure.  Wimberley hopes not to face the Yellowjackets another time this season.  The 42 point underdog Jackets gave the Champions all they could handle, and outplayed the Texans through out the entire game. 

   Few expected such an inspired performance.  And there will be nay sayers that will say Llano surprised Wimberley.  Remember that the Jackerts were the ones that started off slowly, going three straight possessions of three and out, while the Texans scored first.

   Wimberley drove to the 15 yardline with their first possession only to fumble and see seniors Zach Morgan and  Storey Tatsch create the Texans’ second turnover in the quarter.  The Jackets offense played well for  for three quarters, but the defense was what stood out to be counted.  This was the best Jacket defense in 9 years.  Llano has had 9 seasons of making defense a second thought after all other thoughts were placed ahead in proirties.  From senior Rhett Brooks at safety, to Tristan Sabrsula at the two technique, Llano has gotten serious on defense.  This will and can be a season where the offense can keep the scores close, and the defense can win games.  For old timers, this is old time Yellowjacket football.

   Not until the second play of the second quarter did Llano click, and and the Jackets sccored from the two yardline after a nine play drive that saw junior Layton Rabb hit senior Wil Siegenthaler for 26 yards, and then hit junior Issac Hutto for 10 more.  The running game had 7 carries for 42 yards, with Rabb, Brooks, Storey and senior Matt Center doing the honors for the final two yards.  For a first game, line play was very strong.  Center Taylor Stewart, senior Jacob Beasley,  Tristan, juniors Gilberto Arredondo and Eli Tiffin, and Ryan West all showed up to beat the Texans.

   Llano’s 20-21 half-time score showed Llano was not into this for just a good show.  The Jackets scored first in the second half to take the lead on the 2011 Champions, and then the defense went to work…..an interception by senior Matt Center returned the football for a 40 yard score….Gilberto played tough in the middle…Storey played well, as did senior Allen Lucas and junior Caleb Penny.  Junior Devin Mayne made his varsity debut and had great plays.  Beasley, Morgan, and junior Carter Tasch all had plays with impact.  Players were stepping up and not waiting for someone else to do the job.  Gang tackling was back in Jacketland.  Hutto and Gilberto had blocked passes.  Morgan and Penny had quarterback sacks.  Mason Ladd in the secondary had several outstanding plays, as did Carter, Wil, Rhett, and another newcomer to varsity play, junior Sawyer Stiles.  The defense was fun to watch.

   Layton Rabb, starting his 6th varsity game at quarterback had a sound night.  Hitting 13 of 23 passes and about 200 yards, scrambling when needed, it was a very good start.  Completions of 26 yards, 14 yards, 31 & 26 yards, with 5 completions over 20 yards…good passing night with key catches from Issac, Matt, Rhett, and Wil.  Llano even has a 31 yards pass that was a screen pass!!!  Look it up if you don’t know what that is!!!!

   And special teams also sshowed up.  Senior Cooper Hill was on all of these teams, and showed strong leadership and experience.  Morgan had the best play.  With the football snapped over his head, he recovered, scrambled, and still punted for positive yards.  It was a super heads up play.

   The Jackets were on the Texans’ 34 yardline when time ran out.  And something I have not seen in years.  After the game, Llano players and Coaches were….mad.  Yes, mad as ‘ell, and we’er not going to take it anymore.  This 2012 Jacket team  came into this game, picked to loss by 6 touchdowns to the defending State Champions… Yellowjackets, no matter what, had to have concerns.  But when the gun sounded, Llano players played with the confidence not seen in years.  The Jackets were not looking for a moral victory.  Llano came to win.

   Llano plays in Bangs this week.  Bangs won easily last year in Llano.  Bangs is ranked 30th in 2-AA, while last week Llano was ranked 134 in 3-AAA.  Look for Harris to pick Bangs by 3 this week.  These Jackets need a win…now…beating a very good Bangs team in Bangs  this week will keep this mojo moving in the right direction.  Coming home this Friday night at 1-1 will be a big step for the Yellowjackets.  Llano by 8.

   Had some fun Saturday morning.  I sent the following e-amil to an olf friend, Van Harris, owner/publisher of the Hariris Ratings Weekly.  Van: Hope you have seen the Llano-Wimberley score….our kids got behind early in the first qt, and came back for a 20-21 at half-time…our line outplayed their line…they had better skill folks…both teams missed two pt. conversions late…their senior quartertback went out at halftime with most likely broken ribs…their soph QB was a very good athlete…I know we will not be picked in a single game before district begins…but my pick is Llano will be 4-1 going into the Liberty Hill game…I think the 42 pts spread helped our team get better…Coach Craig Slaughter has Llano playing like Llano, in only one week…your old friend, mikel virdell.

   His response:  freaking unbelievable….Go Llano ! 

You can take the Harris Ratings Weekly by calling Van at 940-498-5176

   We’re finished with the 2-a-day practices, and the scrimmages are in the rear view mirror.  The Llano YellowJackets suit up for what is a very anticipated season.  These Jackets have a few strikes against them, but one thing is for sure.  Few people have many high expectations for this team facing the hardest 3-AAA schedules ever.  And when the glass is 1/2 empty for some, other find it 1/2 full.  And new YellowJacket football coach Craig Slaughter is a 1/2 full guy.  But, more important, Slaughter has his team knowing it is also 1/2 full

   Llano has scrimmaged twice now, with the latest being Florence here this past Thursday nite.  Llano looked good on offense, and not as good on defense.  But scrimmages are just that, and going to scrimmages now for this my 40th season, I really can say they mean little to us average fans.  Coaches are looking for more than what is happening on the scoreboard.  More important is the plays that seem routine, and the players making those plays.    Best part od this past scrimmage was seeing Tristan Sabrsula putting great pressure on the quarterback.  Will Siegenthaler had a very good day.  Layton Rabb threw the football much better in his second scrimmage.  Also thought Caleb Penny had a good day.

   No one is kidding anyone.  Playing 3-AAA State Champion Wimberley in the first game is a challenge.  But Llano will not be as worried about what the Texans are doing, as they will be concerned about taking care of their own business.  Coach Slaughter and his staff coach that way.  You will see a new spirit in Jacket Stadium Friday night.  I believe Llano can beat the Texans, and for so many reasons, number one being Wimberley will being looking at the 2001 Jackets and their 1-9 record.  It is hard to put alot of distance between them this early in the season.  But the change is profound.  The defense is primary.  The Jackets have an opportunity to show the State of Texas, Llano is back.

I feel like this is a dawning of a new age.  New Coaches, new players, and new attitude.  Few teams in recent memory face such a challege as the 2012 Yellowjackets.  A schedule in which Llano will not be favored to win in a single game.  A team with wounds that remember the disasterous 1-9 , 2011 season.  A season that in 39 years do I remember Llano not even being competitive.  The past was like no other, and from this viewpoint, a 2012 season that maybe, will be a time to remember.

One can go back to the 1987 season in which Llano went 0-10.  But the memory that stands out most is Llano still,  in that heartbreaking season, played defense.  The West Texas defensive player of the year was the great Jacket safety, Chad Wootan.  Had more tackles than anyone else in  West Texas !  Sure, Chad had more chances than anyone in memory, but he was great, and the Jackets never gave up.  Played to the end of every game.  To that end, Llano was still a team that no one looked forward to playing.  The following season, the Jackets were 5-5.  And following season, Llano was back in the playoffs.

There are many reasons to think Llano could surpries a few teams.  Number one being the Jackets have enough seniors to win.  About 17 are on the varsity roster, and it takes seniors to win.  These seniors won, and beat the teams we play this season.  Llano either won, or tied for the district championship when these guys were in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.  Other teams have gotten better, and certainly, their schools have grown more than Llano.  But our core group is still together.  We have good athletes at keys spots.  Llano will be competitive.

What I noticed above all else Saturday in Early, was the defense was being aggressive.  Players were going to the football, and not just one or two.  This Coaching staff has everyone going to the football.   Jacket players over the past 9 years  just rested when the football went to the other side of the field. 9 years of Llano making defense unimportant.  Not Saturday.  Players were chasing, and it paid off.  Turning back and cutbacks by Early and Blanco running backs found Jacket defensive players ready and willing to make contact.  This is Coaching.  That is why Llano will be competive again, even against the Wimberlys’, Burnets, Liberty Hills’ and Brownwoods.  It is a new day.

It will take me at least another scrimmage and one full game to know the players, their positions, and their numbers.  I had a tough time of it Saturday.  But, could not miss the play of senior Rhett Brooks, at second team quarterback, but likely come August 31 against Wimberly, he will be wearing many hats, and playing where ever he helps Llano win.   As will  senior Matt Center, and Storey Tatsch.  Junior Issac Hutto at wide receiver and defensive end will play a big roll in the Jacket season.  Loved the play of senior Nick Bornholdt.  At 280 pounds, Nick has no idea of the confussion he can cause.  I do not know our defense yet, but if Nick crushes down the middle of an offensive line several times a quarter, adjustments will have to be made.  And Llano will not be making the changes.  Senior Allan Lucas and junior Caleb Penny were aggressive at linebacker.  Two year starter Cooper Hill will be one of the leaders on defense, and expect much from 220 pound Jacob Beasley, a senior.  I also want to see Zach Morgan step up.  His punting last year put him in the record books.  I’d love to see him punt half as much, and add 3 yards to last years average.

Folks, I know, it looks bleak if you think this is Llano of the past decade.  But, write this down.  You will be very proud when this dust settles.  See you at 7:30…or somewhat ..Thursday nite for the final scrimmage with Florence.  Then…write this on your calandar…11:30 Friday.  August 31..I think at Inman’s….day meeting with Coach Slaughter before the Wimberly game…see you soon….thought for Jacket fans: It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up…Vince Lombardi

Beginning 40 years of covering the Fighting Llano Yellowjackets.