Play to Win

   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.

   The 2011 season came to a sad ending When  Salado beat the Yellowwjackets 65 to 21.  The Jackets finished the season with one win and 9 losses.

   Lampasas, Liberty Hill, and Taylor represent 25-3-AAA in the State play-offs.

   Llano scored 170 points in 10 games, and averaged 248 yards per game of offense.

   Llano allowed over 40 points per game, the most in school history.

   Stats that pertain to individual players will be recorded here before the end of this month.

   Thank you for reading Play to Win.  As many as 600 people per week read this column. I very much appreciate the interest you show in following our great kids and the Yelowjacket family.

   The 1o Llano seniors will be playing in their final game wearing the very proud Black and Orange.  Vance Bauer, Conner Barrett, Cole Barrett, Garrett Milby, Justin Oestreich, Jordan Johnson, Wes Haverlah, Ryan Williams, Zach Baker and Clay Tarter will put on that uniform for the last time. This week alone, so many former players have reminded me how impressionable that last time is.  For whatever reason it is that playing for the Yellowjackets leaves such a strong impression. That impression stays forever.  A former Jacket(Graduated in 1950) was in Llano today (Tuesday) and he too told of his days playing for Llano.  For too many of us, it still is one of the most important and rewarding times of our lives.

   Regardless of the wins and losses, the bond created will have a hard time in being replicated.  Few relationships in these young mens futures will rival the ties of playing next to friends that in many cases have been together since the first grade. The fun of the dressing room can only be understood if you were there.  The heartbreak of losing a game and seeing the raw emotions of players that are seen in the dark shadows of the metal lockers.  The smell in the locker room to most observers would be classified as putried, but when you are there, there is a comfort not known anywhere else.  Players know it is not just sweat and tears and blood, but also heart and soul.  There is no better place to be after a winning football game than the locker room.  That feeling alone becomes a place with  its own pedistal.  That smell, unforgettable.

   The 2011 Jackets are playing for that feeling, one more time.  Clay wants to run one more kick-off back for a toucdown.  Vance wants one more interception.  Conner wants to make one more stick in the hole and know how good it feels when he does.  Cole wants one more time to split the blockers and be in the backfield at the time of the handoff.  Zach wants one more shot at that tight end coming across to try and catch a pass in front of his big number 33.  Wes wants to drive one more big ‘ole lineman off the line of scrimmage so Zach could make a first down. Justin wants to cram down the inside, and stop that running back for a loss, one more time.  And Ryan wants once more, to make that perfect tackle in open field and be able to pop right back up with that one time feeling of mission accomplished. Garrett wants one more chance to block that extra point or field goal.  And Jordan wants just one more game after this.  Just one more.

   These Yellowjacket seniors gave their all.  Their experience after Llano football will make everyone of them a better person, and have a better understanding of the world they face.  It will be filled with as many heartbreaks as there are parade days.  Maybe more.  But they will know themselves better.  All better, because of being a Llano Yellowjacket.

   Llano plays a very good Salado team this Friday night in Jacket Stadium.  The Jackets will be about 25 point underdogs.  But playing the game is about making the Salado team, prove it.  It is about making a showing, and being proud of the moment.  These Jackets  have nothing to prove to me, or their girl friends, or their families.  We all  know what grit they have, and the many  mountains they have climbed this season.  Friday nights game is only about self pride.  These Jackets get to play for themselves.  These 10 seniors have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, not by winning or losing, but by proving to themselves that being a Llano Yelowjacket may prove to be one of the best pieces of their entire lives.  Beating a good Salado will only make for one more wonderful memory, wearing the Black and Orange.

•     The meltdown at Jacket Stadium last Friday night will be long remembered.  As I strolled thru the Jacket players after the game offering small encouragment, my heart was broken.  All football players  dread this moment. When all of the wheels  fall off at the same time.  It is  like each player took it  very personally, and each one felt like it was their fault.  No player had his head up.  No parent was untouched by their very vulnerable and wounded sons.  This was a licking that no one was expecting, and certainly not this severe.  Sure, the Jackets were having a woeful season, but nothing like this.  This is certainly one of those Lombardi moments.  And Llano football players must think about this. “It is not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up.”
•    Some stats that are needed to tell this story:  Llano:
•             1st Downs:   0
•            Net Yards:     <5>
•            Total Possessions:  9
•            7 Punts;   One fumble, one interception
•   Llano had not been shutout since November 1, 2002, when Liberty Hill beat the Jackets 45-0. 

   Llano’s defense played better.  If you were there, you noticed the play of seniors Cole Barrett, Jordan Johnson, and Conner Barrett.  They, along with Clay Tarter, Vance Bauer Wes Haverlah, and Zach Baker made most of the stops.  The 6.4 yards per try by Liberty Hill was manageble.  This time the offense just fell flat.  Now, do they get up.

   Llano has not beat Burnet since the night in 1998 ( 12 yrs. ago). If the Jackets get back off the ground, dust off the ole’ seat of the pants, and get mad, they will beat Burnet.  Burnet is a shadow of the team we played but 12 months ago.  Their record of 2-6 shows they are no longer the biggest school  bully of our district.  They will be taking the Jackets for granted, and will presume the Jackets have hung it up for the season.  I know these Jackets pretty well.  While they had hang dog looks last Friday night, do not expect they got that kind of babying and sympathy when they got home.  To a one, I know these Jacket parents, and they are not going to let their young sons stay down.  This week is an opportunity to change the entire feel of this season.  Llano has got to beat Burnet, again , sometime.  Why should it not be the team that is least expected to do so.  While the taste of last Friday night’s game is still in their mouths, let it remind Llano of what and how distastful it was.  This week the Jackets come back from the dead.  This week, Llano goes to the “daug pound” and beats the Jackets oldest rivalry.  Despite recent years losses, Llano still holds a 39-31-2 advantage over the Dogs.  Bring home #40 in this storied history.  Bring home a victory, and regain that one ingrediant that only you have.  Bring home that Jacket Pride.

   I suppose the outcome of the Lampasas game Friday night brought few surprises.  The District 25-3 AAA favorite ran the football, and then ran it more.  The Badgers all run , no pass, slot-t offense waited until mid way thru the 3rd quarter before they attempted a pass.  In the first half, the Badgers were  running the football on 30 plays  and gaining 276 yards, for a 9 yards per carry average. 

   On the other hand, Llano played very hard.  On the first drive, the Badgers took the football and drove right at the Jackets. Run left, run right, go wide,it was very intense.  Yet Jackets Jordan Johnson, Clay Tarter and Cole Barrett made play after play, never giving in to the machine that was relentless.  But after 11 plays, the Badgers blinked, dropped the football, and senior Johnson pounced and it was Jacket football.  Repeated tackles by Allan Lucas, Wil Siegenthaler, and Rhett Brooks had somewhat, early in the contest, worn down Lampasas.

   An exchange of punts, and the quarter ended.  Llano was still whole, the score 0-0.  The Jackets under the sophomore quarterback  Layton Rabb had looked pretty good.  Rabb completed his first four passes.  Four yards to Brooks, now playing running back, 9 yards to junior Justin Wyatt, four more to Brooks coming out of the backfield, and 11 more to Justin.  The offensive line of senior Wes Haverlah, junior Taylor Stewart, senior Cole Barrett, and sophomore Tristan Sabrsula, and junior Jacob Beasley held up very well against a big and strong Badger rush.

   But, as well as the first quarter went, the second quarter got rough.  The Badgers scored on the 7th play of the second quarter, despite tackles from sophomore Mason Ladd, Tristan, Allan, junior Zach Morgan and junior Matt Center.  Before Llano’s dependable punter Zach Morgan could get off a good punt, back came Lampasas, this time needing only three plays to go 82 yards and a 14-0 lead.

   Llano went to the air with Rabb completing passes to Wyatt, sophomore Taylor Sorensen for 12 yards, 12 more to Center, and later in the quarter, 12 more to Rhett, six to senior Vance Bauer.  And on the last play of the quarter, Rabb hit Brooks for 38 yards down to the one yardline with no time showing.

   Llano took the second half kick-off, with Tarter returning 30 yards to the 49 yardline, a great return.  An 8 yard completion to Vance, and a rushing first down by Rhett had the Jackets in their best field position of the night.  Completions to senior Conner Barrett, and to Brooks put Llano on the 26 yardline.  And then, four plays later, and the Badgers held.  Back to defense for Llano, with junior Morgan, Wil, Vance, Jordan, Matt all making tackles.  But, unfortunately, defensive back Conner Barrett, made the most stops.  Lampasas was flying thru the Jackets now.  It was 27-0 before the fourth quarter began.  The Jackets went back to the running game.  Good hard runs by sophomore Caleb Penny who carried 3 times for 30 yards. Two more carries by senior Zach Baker.  Brooks picked up 12 more, and junior Storey Tatsch carried twice for 4, while Taylor picked up 22 on two tries.  Good line blocking from Jordan, Stewart, Arrendondo, wide receiver Iassc Hutto,  senior Justin Oestreich,  and Wes, along with Jacob as Llano scored twice in the final period.  TD catches by Matt and Storey and kicks by Sorenson got the Jackets to 14 points.  The final score was Lampasas 41, Llano 14.

   These kind of stories just do not end well.  Llano players play hard.  There is no let up in their effort.  Yet the fall off is in the defense that has allowed nearly 40 points per game.  Stopping a great Liberty Hill team this week will be another tremendous challenge for Llano.  Again, three weeks in a row, Llano will see the slot-t offense, this time at its best.  The Panthers threw the football four times last week in beating Taylor 41-14.  They rushed for 379 yards on 39 carries, nearly 10 yards per snap.

   From  2005-2008,  Llano ran the slot-t. People beat Llano when they put 11 men on the line of scrimmage and dared the Jackets to throw the football.  Llano threw little, and still averaged winning 8 games per season.  I hope to see Llano forcing Liberty Hill into throwing the football.  We are not positive Liberty Hill  can throw sucessfully.  We do know they can run the football very well.

   Llano seniors have a great challenge.  Beating another great Panther team would be remembered forever.  This small group of Jacket seniors needs to have a great memory.  Friday night is where they can start.