Play to Win

   The loss to Liberty Hill was disappointing because Llano had as good of a football team as the Panthers.  Yet, mistakes compounded by inconsistant play resulted in a more composed team that out lasted the Jackets.  LLano’s 10-7 half-time lead could have been the story of the evening, but the Jackets never had great plays by their play makers at the right times.

   Big plays, good and bad,  was just the awaking call.  After a Llano interception on the opening drive of the third quarter after four straight completions is the inconsistancy that was the killer.  When the Panthers took the lead, it was catch up the rest of the way as the Jackets tried to match up with a team that has beaten the #3 team, Cuero, already this season.  There is no shame in getting beat by a well coached and a determined Liberty Hill team.  But life leaves many regreats, and this will be one that the Jackets let get a way.

   The reasons Llano lost include two interceptions, bad snaps on the kicking game, and very poor tackeling in the second half.  That gives a little credit to all.  Another missing link for the Jackets is not getting the ball to its’ play makers.  Senior Sterling Jameson carried the ball twice, and caught two passes.  Sterling is a difference maker.  And senior Justin Saverance touched the ball 9 times.  If these two seniors are not involved in at least 20 plays, don’t expect another win this season. Their speed is unmatched in our district.  If they can’t get opportunities, others can’t  be expected to carry the load.  Llano ran the football in the first two quarters 21 times for 59 yards.  The second half produced 65 yards rushing on 9 carries, 65 on the long run of senior quarterback Preston Rabb.

   No doubt the Jackets were able to produce some drama.  The 82 yard TD pass from Rabb to speedster Saverance was great pass, throw, and outrun all.  The 65 yard sprint by Rabb with 1:59 left in the game gave hope to a comeback.  The perfect pass from Rabb to sophomore Matthew Center for the 15 yard TD deep in the end zone was just like the Coaches drew it up.  Yet, the best play stands out as the first quarter was about to end.  Llano had the ball on the 30 yardline, facing fourth and five.  Rabb two stepped back, hit tailback sophomore Rhett Brooks about 6 yards pass the line of scrimmage, and down the middle of the field he went for a Jacket 7-0 lead.  The Liberty Hill Panthers had no answer for the play.  Brooks outran everyone, and it took the defense by surprise.  A retired Liberty Hill Coach set behind me at the game.  He had a walkie-talkie, and he was very upset with whoever at the other end about the Panthers no idea what to do about that play the next time it was run.  He need not worry, Llano never ran the play again.

   LLano’s effort was winning football.  Beating Liberty Hill would have taken a game without major turnovers.  Beating Burnet will take the same.  Seniors Matt Ratliff, Travis Lawrence, Davis Hill, Michael Rusche, Kenneth Smith, Zach Berry,Sterling, John McKay, Preston, Raven Harron, Ian Mayne, Jordan Cavness, Justin, and Taylor Osbourn, have one last opportunity to make a dramatic mark by labeling their team.  Last home game, against the hated Burnet Bulldogs.  What a win would mean forever, for this senior class.  Should Llano win the next two games, the worse they could end the season would be as tri- champs.

   LLano’s defense held Liberty Hill to 73 yards on 24 plays in the first half.  Gang tackeling, very intense play every play, and no plays taken off.  The defense knows what this means.  Play two full halves, and the Jackets will be 6-3.

      The Yellowjackets defense played its best game in maybe two years.  Maybe longer.  While I am not giving a pass altogether, it was still impressive.  Holding the slot-t Lampasas Badgers to 266 yards rushing may be their season low.  Junior running back Secody Howard is all man.  Secody had 31 carries and 154 yards.  But his size and power were matched by the play of senior Matthew Ratliff, juniors Cody Lang, Jordan Johnson, and senior Travis Lawrence( 3 quarterback sacks).  Ratliff played his best game ever as a Yellowjacket.  This defensive line has made the entire defense much better, as the pass rush has become a very important in helping the secondary.  Travis and Cody and Jordan pursue with non stop engines.  That intensity has made everyone better.  Linebackers Davis Hill, Taylor Osbourn, Cole Barrett, and Sterling Jameson are more free to make plays.  No team we play can afford to not block the front line of Llano’s, because right now, no player is taking a play off.  That is the difference.

   I think radio announcer Lance Center said it best after the game, in that Llano’s offense is still trying to figure out who they are.  While not a running team as in the past, we can not totally say we are a passing machine.  The Jackets balance is scary.  130 yards running, 129 yards passing.  Senior Preston Rabb leads in most categories.  Senior Justin Saverance leads in rushing, and pass catching, yet really stepped up play by sophomore Rhett Brooks at running back and catching passes out of the backfield gives Llano a real balance in its attack.  Senior John McKay and sophomore Matthew Center adds good hands to Preston’s options.  The Jackets still need more points.  Before the final kneel down, Llano had only 13 plays the second half.  Longer sustained drives will give the defense some relief.  The Jackets 38 offensive plays is very low.  While the Badgers had the football 69 plays.  The offensive line too has a very difficult task in that a mixed offense is harder for lineman to get into a rhythm.  Ratliff, Kenneth Smith, Zach Berry, Ryan Williams, Wes Haverlah, Travis, Davis, and Taylor have done a good job.  Pass blocking is an art.  Preston for the most part has had time to get a quick pass off.  Actually that is when he is most accurate.  McKay, Saverance, Center, and Sterling are all better after the catch.  The shorter passes and more of them will help the running game, and keep the linebackers off the line of scrimmage.  Conner Chauncy and Rhett are not the big lumbering type backs.  Both quick with a burst.  But neither can be expected to run over linebackers.

   Quick players on defense have started to emerge.  Defensive players like senior Jordan Cavness and junior Clay Tarter.  Both are very quick, and lining up this week in the five man front I think is a super change for Llano.  Their quickness is not fool-proof for outside runs, but it helps.  Both, are learning to get off the blocks and move down the line when it looks like the play is going wide.  Clay and Jordan have gotten better every week.  And same again can be said for seniors Raven Herron and Michael Rusche.  They are now into so many more plays from, their cornerback positions..  With the confidence level raised, so goes up the production.  It too helps as the secondary has more time to adjust while chasing receivers.  Vance Bauer and safety Brooks will be old veterans this time next year.

  I missed the injury to senior Ian Mayne.  But I knew he was not on the sidelines on the kicking game.  His hustle was missed, and hope he is back this week.  Injuries to Sterling, and Davis too can not be long term.  The Jackets are thin…already.

   Lampasas was picked to beat Llano by one point in last weeks Harris Poll.  They got the one point correct!!!…Likely Libery Hill will be a two touchdown favorite over the Jackets.  I hope they are.  The Jackets are, and have always played better as the underdog, and when they need to play over their abilities.  No one likes playing Llano.  The tradition continues.  Llano plays hard all night long.  Playing Liberty Hill is never fun, so neither team can look forward to an easy date.  The Jackets beat the Panthers last year.  So the mystery no longer haunts Llano.. The Panthers can be beat, and the four point margin of victory by both Llano and Liberty Hill over Taylor shows how close and even the teams are.

   Llano will beat Liberty Hill in the host’s cave for the first time in a decade, and set up the game for the district crown.  Who would have thought?  Llano 21, Liberty Hill 19

   The 30-26 win over the 1-5 Taylor Ducks was much needed.   The big negative is that the Jackets allowed the Ducks to stay close.  Llano’s 10-0 lead with 1:01 left in the first quarter was the safest margin.  Big plays were allowed, and back came the Ducks.  The Ducks had 8 plays that averaged over 25 yards per play.  On the other hand, Llano’s defense had 31 plays that allowed  barely 2 yards per try.  When the Jackets all get on the same page, on the same day, and they all get off  the bus together, they will be a very good football team.  Until then, each game will be a challenge.

   The seniors played the best.  Travis Lawrence and Jordan Johnson ruled on the inside of the defensive line.  Great hustle by both of the high octane seniors.  150 pound Raven Herron had his best game.  He played very tough coming up on the runs from his cornerback position.  And his game ending interception was a senior needed play.  Ian Mayne continues to hustle on special teams.  A senior that only sees a few plays, but he makes every one count.  Cody Lang and Davis Hill had good games on defense.  And I think Michael Rusche improves  every week.  Matthew Ratliff is a ball stopper in the middle of the defensive line.  Playing both ways makes for a long night, but Matthew is very capable of doing a great job on both sides of the ball.  And same can be said of Zack Berry.  A real difference maker.

   There  is a beer commercial on television, and word has it they want to interview Sterling Jameson.  The text will need a few minor changes, but his new lines would go something like this.” I may not get the football on every play, but when I do, I take it to the house”!  Sterlings’ 80 yard reception from senior quarterback Preston Rabb with 3 minutes left in the game was the clutch play, at a great moment.  And no one caught him.  Sterling has a 92 yard intercetion returned for a TD this season, as well as a 90 yard run from srcimmage.

   Last week I said that Llano needed to score 25  and hold the other team to 22 points.  It will take that again this week.  Lampasas really does run the slot-t!  I have no idea what Taylor ran, but it was not the slot-t that I know.  The Badgers will be a little more slicker.  Great athletes, 900 plus students in high school, play-off team last season on the 4-AAAA level.   Llano shouldn’t even be on the field with these guys.  Burnet  had trouble last week with the Badgers.  Lampasas had over 350 yards rushing, with about 6 yards per try average.  Expect the same this week.

   I’ve known Head Coach Joey McQueen for over 30 years.  He is a very good coach, and usually you will see a very disciplined team.  He has an assitant by the name of Kevin Virdell that played his high school football at Marble Falls, and played at the University of Texas.  While starting four years at Marble Falls…well let’s say Llano did pretty good those years against the Mustangs.  They would love to win in Llano this Friday night.  So would we.

   Preston Rabb with his scrambles, Justin Saverance with the football on the outside, and Rhett Brooks making a change of pace, Llano can score 30 on the Badgers.  It will take 30 points to win.  Big question is still can the Jacket lineman gouge-out yards in the middle.  Hill, Taylor Osbourn, Ratliff, Lang, senior Kenneth Smith, and Travis must have their best blocking night.  Keeping the ball for a few 10 yard drives would help.  The Jackets had 8 possessions against Taylor that had 5 or fewer plays.  Senior Jordan Cavness had his best game.  Good on defense, but a much better than average punter.  But it was his catching skills that won for Llano last week.  A bad snap on the punt was over Jordan’s head.  But he went  up and with one hand brought it back under control.  And more impressive, he had the calm mind to boot away for over 40 yards.  The seniors played best.

   Llano must beat two of the last four district teams to make the playoffs.  Beating Lampasas this week at home is an opportunity that at times last month did not seem possible.  It lies in the hands of the seniors.  We will see how bad they want 2010 to be important.          Llano 30     Lampasas 22

   The Yellowjacket defense will be the key tonight as the Taylor Ducks invade the Jackets’ nest.  Rabb and company will score points.  But can the Jackets tackle enough to hold on for the first District 25-3-AAA win?  Llano knows how intensive the slot-t offense can be, and how much pressure it places on the defense.  The pounding, play after play with what appears to be the same play each time, and sometimes into the same spot.  The defense can stop this offense, but allowing long plays, and allowing 10 to 15 play drives will eventually wear the Jackets to the bone.

   Rabb must keep his offense on the field.  Short, quick passes, pounding of Saverance, Jameson, Greer, and Brooks striving for every single inch will pay off.  McKay, Saverance and Center must be sure-handed. And every pass needs to get a first down.  The Jackets can win, but this game is not going to be easy.

  LLano 26   Taylor 18

   The 3-2 Yellowjackets may be as healthy as they are going to get.  Still many players (we are not suppose to mention names) likely will not play again this season.  Depth is always a concern.  Running back is thin.  Still, there is talent that can run the football.  Senior Preston Rabb will not be able to pass this team to victories.  We have seen senior Sterling Jameson  go 90 yards on a single carry.  We all hope that senior Justin Saverance gets the ball enough every game to be a difference.  His longest run of 75 yards can happen on any play.  Cody Greer, a junior should be healthy.  His bowling ball style is a complete contrast to the other Jacket runners.  Same can be said of sophomore Rhett Brooks.  Different and productive.  And Rabb’s 70 yard romp a few weeks back too can be a factor.  What I am trying to say is the committee attack could be killer against some teams, and Llano has enough speed to make all defense not gamble on blitzing.

   The passing game has been very good at times.  Receivers such as senior John McKay, Saverance, and sophomore Matthew Center have all shown skills with the catch and running after the catch.  Rabb is over 50% in completions, and it will take that to win.  The key as always is offensive line blocking and at the same time not holding.  The Jackets have cut their penalty yards in half from last season.  That continued discipline is what it will take to compete in District 25-3AAA.

   Matthew Ratliff, Zack Berry and Travis Lawrence are three seniors that must play lights out over the next five weeks.  These senior lineman can be the difference in the Jackets getting maximum production from the running game and pass protection.  They will not ba able to take a play off.  25-3 AAA is that strong.

   Texas Football picked Lampasas to make it to the quarterfinals this season.  Yet they picked Burnet to win the district!  Liberty Hill stands at the same record as Llano, 3-2. Taylor  runs the slot-t.  So, three of the first four Jacket district foes run the slot-t.  As we know, Head coach David Yeager brought the slot-t to Llano five years ago, and stayed with it until this pass spring, when he changed over to a spead type attack.  The slot-t wears teams down.  Imagine sometimes a defensive tackle might see 40 plays in a game run right at him.  That kind of pounding started to pay off by the fourth quarter.  Now Llano will face similiar game plan.  It takes endurance, and sure tackeling, plus very strong linebacker play to stop this offense.  Davis Hill, Sterling, Travis, senior Jordan Caveness, and the safties will all be tested. 

   The Llano Taylor game is at home.  the over-all record is now 3-3 with the Ducks.  Beating Taylor at home is a must win for Llano.  Later in this week, I’ll make a prediction on the outcome.

Just what the doctor ordered. Come from behind after a luckluster first quarter ( 6 yards total offense). Then pile up 457 yards over the next three quarters. The 42-21 score reflected the game in a good way. Fredericksburg has not won a game, and play calling cost them plenty.
   With a 14-0 lead, and 87 yards passing the first quarter, the ‘Billies switched to the run game, threw for only 40 more yards in the last three quarters, and then only averaged 2.85 yards per running play. Never understood this in my 37 years of observation.
   The defense still misses so many tackles. ‘Billies had 13 plays for 10 yards or more. That’s 20% of the Fredericksburg plays. More gang tackeling is needed. In the first quarter, there was no urgency to get to the ball. There are exceptions. Some of the Jackets really play 100% every play. Many do not. That is the difference in prospects of Llano going to the playoffs. The defense must start helping. Giving up 28 points per game is hard to overcome. While the offense is averaging 25 points. Not great, but Llano will make the playoffs if they can average 25 points in district play, and only give up 22. I know things change, and so do more points in football games. But, the Yellowjacket team that just was honored by being inducted into the Hall of Fame gave up 83 points…in ten games, in 1970!
   Sterling Jameson is so much fun to watch. Every play is as if it is his last. That is how you play football. Sterling plays hard on defense, and I hope we see him with the football more. He is big enough to make yards between the tackels, and fast enough to break it open. He has his first varsity 100 plus game at 130 yards and only 4 carries. His 90 yard run puts him twice now in the Jacket record books…the first one being his 92 yard pass interception run back for a TD a few weeks back. Second longest in history.
   Justin Saverance ! I’ll pay double if that is what it takes to get to see another game like he had against Fredericksburg. The catch of a pass that went the distance of 61 yards was nothing but “wow”. Then the 75 yard run maybe as fine a football run that I have ever seen. Justin is magic in the open field, but when folks are trying to bring him down, holding on is the only way. He never stops, except by natural instinct to make it appear he his going down, and then the burst of quickness, not seen by many. Justin had 94 yards rushing, and 123 yards catching the football. Game tickets are way too cheap.
   Preston Rabb is getting more comfortable at passing and running. Still, his short pass is most likely to connect, and we know he has receivers that can make the big gaines after the catch.
   I’m not sure, but since you asked, I think I would have sophomore Rhett Brooks carry the football 8-10 times a game. Then Sterling about the same. And Saverance could go back to his old poistion of wingback/slot/receiver/decoy/sell popcorn, or whatever…about 15 times a game. With the injuries of Conner Chauncy, Storey Tatsch, and Alex Greer, well players must step up. I know running the ball by committee is hard, but this team will have to make it work.
   Who played better this week? Linebacker Davis Hill had much more involvement. So did Jordan Johnson. Really liked the kicking of John McKay. It seems very natural to him. Zach Barry got hurt a little, but he is one of the big differences as we go along. He will have two weeks to get sound. Great play at limited time for Cody Wisdom. A senior with his first interception. Cody Lang is gettng better. As is Cole Barrett. Michael Rusche had good plays. We need him to get tough, as the corner backs have killer nights ahead as we plan on the play of three slot-t teams in district play. Raven Herron had his best game. This senior needs to lead this secondary to respectability.
   The Jackets are at 3-2, now with a week to heal. Liberty Hill is also 3-2. Burnet is still the team to beat in order to win district. Lampasas is averaging over 350 yards per game in their new slot-t offense. Those are Llano numbers. So we know we must beat at least three of these schools to make the playoffs. With the week off, next week I will talk about the Taylor…Ducks. This game is not negotiable. Llano must win this very important district opener at home.

The 54-14 score was somewhat expected.  Brownwood is deserving of the #1 ranking in Class 3-AAA.  Llano is about 40 points behind.  Still, I was not disappointed in the effort.  Llano did not play well on defense.  The missed tackles just keep adding up.  Many times, Llano was in position to make the plays.  Gang tackeling did not start until after the half.  When gang tackeling started to happen, the game came under control.  The Jackets still have too many players waiting for someone else to make the plays.  Still, effort and want to must begin to find results.

   The motor of senior Travis Lawrence runs wide open on every play.  I never see him take a play off.  Every Jacket must start their own engines…sooner…and understand that kind of effort is the only way the state playoffs can still be realistic.

   Sterling Jameson had a good game.  So did Conner Chauncy, Justin Saverance.  Good to see Justin Wyatt and John McKay back on their game.  And senior Cody Wisdom had some very good plays.  Wes Haverlah showed good effort.  And senior Zach Berry made some plays.  Four catches by sophomore Matt Center produced 2 first downs when quaterback Preston Rabb found him open behind the linebackers. 

   The Jacket passing game is best in the short game and looking for the 8-15 yard pass.  Rabb is much better throwing from the pocket.  And his scrammbles more effective from the inside.  Getting John McKay back into the mix at receiving is a key to this offense moving.  Brownwooods’ speed on defense defused most of what I just said, but Llano will not play another team with this speed unless they can get to the third level of the playoffs.  Center, McKay, Conner, Vance Bauer, and Sterling are all capable of moving the chains with a first down type pass.  The deep throws have not connected. 

   Llano plays one of its oldest rivalries and traveling to Fredericksburg this Friday.  The over-all record against the ‘Billies is bad…very bad….16-35-3 bad.  But the Jackets have owned the’Billies the last three years.  The Jackets need a very strong game this week more than ever.  Why this week?  The Jackets need to make the following happen: 1) Have a 3-2 record before the week off.  Resting with a good taste in ones mouth goes along way in determining the way you look at the up coming district race. 2) Positive results from Fredericksburg will help determine how this offense is going to evolve.  There still is not a set and winning…go to formula….is it Saverance and Chauncy and a few passes…is it a short passing game and lots of draws…is it all passing and passes to backs coming out of the backfield?  After five games, Llano will know better what works. 3)  the district is not as tough as the past eight years.  Burnet can be beat by Llano.  Lampasas has not yet found its footing in their new slot-t offense.  The Badgers have the athletes to hurt people.  But until they do, Llano can beat Lampasas.  Liberty Hill always can be good…very good, but this Jackets team did not allow the reputation of the Panthers win last year.  Llano can beat any of the three favorites for post season.  Beating Fredericksburg soundly this week sets the stage for district play.