Play to Win

   The Llano Yellowjackets placed 9 seniors on the 25-3A All-District team.  Seniors Matthew Ratliff,  Preston Rabb , Sterling Jameson,  Raven Harron, Jordan Cavness, Travis Lawrence, Justin Saverance, Davis Hill, and Kenneth Smith were the seniors honored.  The big salute to Llano by Liberty Hill, Salado, Lampasas, Taylor and Burnet was to vote Justin Saverance as the Districts’ Most Valuable Player.  This hornor is one few Jackets ever see.  To my memory, it was 1997 when Bradley Kassell received the same mention.  When a player makes that list, it is from respect, because others from the district certainly received more headlines.  Also of note, center Kenneth Smith was first team.  Making the first team at center is also very prestigious.  Ken had a great season, and the honor was well deserved.

   Travis was honored as a first team defensive lineman, and second team offensive lienman. Sterling also was on both teams, first team defense, and second team offense.

   I too think the last time a Jacket was first team quarterback was Kassell, but I need to check to see where Brooks from two years ago landed on his All-District team, but Preston Rabb’s honor is hard to get.  Added also was first teamer Matthew Ratliff on offense, although he had a very big impact for the Jackets on defense, but was over-looked there.

   Seniors Davis Hill and Raven Herron were on the second team defense, and both had great senior years.  and Jordan cavness had a super year at punter, and was on the second team.  His play at defensive end was also over-looked, but he had a very good season even with injuries.

   Seniors that will be missed are Cody Wisdom, Michael Rusche, Zach Berry, Taylor Osbourn, John McCay, and Ian Mayne.  McCay is in the Jacket record books at his split end position, and Osbourn really played well in district play.  I thought he might make it on the second team as an offensive lineman.  Cody played very well, as did Zach who had a very fine senior season.  While Mayne got hurt, he was very good when he had his chances.  Rusche drew the short straw when it came to guarding top offensive split ends all season, and still played well in a very tough position.

   Coming back for 2011 will be Cody Lang,  and Jordan Johnson, both will be seniors, and could both be really, really good.  Both sophomores in Rhett Brooks and Matt Center were second team All-District, and both should be very big factors as juniors.  Rhett likely will be the starting quarterback

   2010 was an exciting year, and the 6-5 record reflected a very hard schedule.  Beating Fredericksburg, Lampasas,  and Taylor, all previously in 4-AAAA would have be considered great in all other seasons.  The Jackets expected more, and made the play-offs five time in six seasons under Head Caoch David Yeager. 

   2011 will be just as difficult as 2010.  But returning letterman, and good juniors and sophomore will again prove that LLano has quailty football players, just not always quantity.  The 2010 seniors were but 15, usually not a number needed to reach the play-offs.   Most schools reaching the play-offs in 3-AAA will have 20 plus seniors.  The 2010 senioirs will always know they played their best, and with great pride.

District MVP                  Justin Saverance     Sr.  5-9, 165

1st Team Offense:     Quarterback:   Preston Rabb, Sr.    6-6, 210

                                          Center: Kenneth Smith, Sr.    6-0, 280

                                          Offensive Line:   Matthew Ratliff , Sr.   6-4, 295

                                           Defensive Line:  Travis Lawrence, Sr.   6-0, 240

                                           Defensive End:   Cody Lang, Jr. 6-1, 185

                                           Linebacker: Sterling Jameson, Sr. 6-0, 175

2nd Team All District:    Running Back: Rhett Brooks, So.  6-1, 185

                                           Tight End: Matthew Center, So. 6-2, 190

                                            Wide Receiver: Sterling Jameson, Sr., 6-0, 175

                                            Offensive Lineman: Travis Lawrence, Sr., 6-0, 240

                                             Punter: Jordan Cavness, Sr., 6-0, 175

                                            Defensive Lineman: Jordan Johnson, Jr., 6-1, 180

                                            Linebacker: Davis Hill, Sr., 5-10, 165

                                            Defensive Back: Raven Herron, Sr., 5-8, 150

Honorable Mention:        Wide Receiver:  Justin Wyatt, So., 5-10, 160

   These kind of Saturdays are the saddest of all.  When the football season is over, and you know you are not going to see the seniors in a Yellowjacket uniform ever again.  You know how much these men have in front of them, yet they will forever, look back on these last 12 weeks as maybe their best ever.  We hope not, but if not the best ever, it is the most fun, AND the best ever.  I have spoken to hundreds of former Jackets, and to a one, being a Llano Yellowjacket was their most proud time.

   The kind thing about life, and Llano football is that you don’t really remember the last game as your definning moment.  It was disappointing.  You will always know you could have played better.  But, take solice in knowing, we all could have.  We all would love to have one more chance to make that one block that would have sprung an opening, or one more chance to make that interception, but just missed by inches.  But those moments do not define you as  a Llano Yellowjacket.  What makes you what you are is how you played the game.  You were not the most talented.  You likely were not the fastest, or the strongest, and even the best prepared. But you were, and always will be from a team that holds tradition high, prideful of the past Jackets, just like yourself. You loved the game at times more than you loved yourself.  You played more with your heart than with your feet, and you cared more about your teammates than your own self worth.  That is what separated you from others.  You will forever be a Llano Yellowjacket, and as time goes by, you will look back as the very best time of your life. 

  As I thought about this article, I knew one thing, I  think.  On the Wimberley sidelines were two coaches that had to have some mixed feelings.  Coach Dane Saucier, son of James Saucier,( Llano long time coach) is an old timer for the Texans.  But at one time, he was a tremendous Llano Yellowjacket football player.   And Coach Shawn Cockerham, a former Yellowjacket coach.  These two highly competive men wanted more than anything to beat Llano.  They coach in a very competive school where winning every game is expected.  But I have to believe that had they not been this competitive, they would not be also, forever, Llano Yellowjackets.  I think I know both coaches took little glee in seeing Llano go down by 35 points.  Yet, they took something with them when they left Llano and had other lives to go live.  Part of them, forever will be Orange and Black.

   The 55 to 20 score will not define these seniors.  But, their hard work with their best friends, is rarly ever repeated.   These seniors will remember the Lampasas game forever.  And the wonderful fun game at Salaldo.  Those two games defined this senior class.

  In a few days I will write a few woords about the seniors.  And  later a few more thoughts about the team of 2011.  And within a few weeks I hope to have all of the new entries into the record books. 

  Please send me your thoughts, and certainly your corrections and missed records when you find errors.  These records belong to you.  I only try to keep them  accurate.  I serve only as a messenger.

   The game with Wimberley could be our perfect storm.  First of all, there are no expectations about Llano winning, except players, coaches and Jacket fans.  The 24 point underdog tag placed by the Harris Poll, and the unanimous thoughts of the Austin American Statesman that this one will be easy for the Texans sets the perfect stage for an underdog and sometimes underacheiving Jacket team.

   What makes it even more odd, is the Jackets need to play a game soon, or we will be down to our freshman team.  Injuries after last Friday nights game, and some small aggrevation type hurts this week in practice.  Yet, I do know how Jackets step up.  Juniors will play harder, and seniors will know it could be their last moment in a Jacket uniform.  Other teams have the same issues, but the Texans have expectations as 3rd ranked team in 3-AAA, and those expectations have little regard for the Jackets.

   I’ve watched the Wimberley Texans as the season flows by, and they are a team with few flaws.  Their quarterback in a transfer from powerhouse, Aledo.  Brady Lambert throws good, but will and could throw an interception when pressed. He perfers to run.  He rushed for over 150 yards in the last two games as he carried the football 30 times.  In rushing Lambert,  seniors Travis Lawrence and Matthew Ratliff will do well to keep their heads up, and keep the blocking offensive lineman in place directly in front of them.  That way, they can slide either way.  Junior Jordan Johnson the same, but his quickness gives him a little more flexibility.  The key is a pass rush, being ready in the secondary to get an interception, and to expect one. Lambert threw two picks against Boerne. Lambert is 21-44-2 over the past two weeks.  A pass rush and the caving into the inside to stop what amounts to quarterback draws can slow down an offense that produces well over 400 yards per game. The Texans offensive linemen are very large.  Nothing harder to block for a large lineman is a low lying defensive men that keep moving.

   Llano can also win when the offense plays four full quarters.  On average, the Jackets offense runs smooth about 2 1/2 quaters each game.  The Jackets actually played two good quarters against Brownwood, still the #1 team in 3-AAA.  The long 80 yard drive and against Brownwood was great football.  It will take that effort, and that head in the game thinking to beat Wimberley.  Llano can pull this off.  Had the Jackets played four full quarters against Brownwood, we would have made that game close.  Wimberley is not Brownwood.  Know you can do this.

   Llano can win if the cornerbacks could slow the Texans down at the line of scrimmage.  That slowness off the line really messes with timing, and the worry is the speed of the Texan receivers. Still, a second of hesitation on the line could work, throw Lambert’s timing off, and give our strength, the defensive line one more second to sack Lambert.

   Lineman and receivers, be slow to block downfield, especially when the ball carrier is close.  Our big play people( Jameson, Wyatt, Center, Bauer, Chauncy, Brooks, McKay, Tarter, Rabb, and possibly Saverance) all have enough speed to pull of the big gain.  Don’t let an “excitement penalty” void one of these plays.  Play safe and smart.  That too is how you best Wimberley.

   Take the game to Wimberley early and late.  The Texans were behind 21-0 last week against Boerne, before the Texans came back with 42 points.  Know, and expect this.  Expect a close game, all the way to the end.  And, mentally, be ready to win in the final minutes.  The Jackets did this against Salado.  They have come from behind two times this season by two touchdowns, and won.  This could be our perfect storm.  The Yellowjackets in 1973 played Bastrop in bi-district.  The Bears were ranked #2 in the State. The Bears were  picked to win by 4 touchddowns.  We still talk about it today, 37 years later.  Llano won 7-0. It was a perfect storm.

 Where to start?  The Jackets decided to make the price of a football ticket well worth the trip.  Over 700 yards of offense by the Jackets.  I’ve found 7 new names & numbers that will go into the record books.  But that is not the real story here.  The Jackets found themselves  ahead at half-time, 24-21.  This against the highest scoring offense in our district.  Salado’s quarterback has eye popping stats, and he did not let the visitors down with his offense.  Cole Brentham’s 370 yards passing in a losing cause against the Jackets may be a record, but senior Preston Rabb’s 369 yards passing is a Yellowjacket single game record, passing greats Brian Hill, Jason Smith and Brian Edwards.

   But after the kick-off in the third quarter, Salado scored on three plays to take the lead 28-24.  Then to add insult to the guest, backed up on their on two yardline, Brentham hit speedy Fabian Sauceda for 98 yards and a 35-24 led!  Neither team was finished.  The story is that this ignited a fire in the Jackets.  Llano came back, highlighted with TD passes Fro Rabb to senior Justin Saverance for 53  yards, and 50 yards to Sophomore Justin Wyatt to take the lead 38 to 35 on the next two Jacket possessions.

   What was curious to me is that Salado went to their run offense.  In the fourth quarter, after Llano had  fumbled, Salado led 47 to 38!  The Eagles drove the football 13 plays, 10 running plays and scored again.  Now, with most of the quarter gone due to the long drive, Llano was looking at a 47-38 score with only 5:43 left in the game. 9 points down.  Back came Llano, and on the fifth play, Rabb hit Wyatt again for a 34 yard strike. Mr. Automatic, John McKay kicked his 6th extra point of the night, and school record 24th in a row. The score was 47-45, Salado’as ahead, with 4:33 left in the game.  If history tells you much, it would tell you that Salado would run the clock out with another steady drive of running plays, just like their last time consuming drive of 75 yards.  No, Salado went back to their passing game, and Llano held.  Pressure from Travis Lawrence, Zach Berry, Jordan Johnson, and Cody Lang kept Brentham from completing a pass. 

   Llano took the punt and started on the 40 yardline.  22 yards from Rabb to Conner Chauncy, 14 more to Saverance, and 20 more to Wyatt down to the 14 yardline.  The idea was to let McKay do his work with a field goal (he already had hit a 23 yarder in the first quarter), get the game into overtime, and win there.  But lining up for the field goal, Salado jumped offsides two plays in a row, giving the Jackets a first down on the four yardline.  This was too tempting for Llano Coaches,…give the ball to the second fastest player on the field, senior Sterling Jameson to the corner, and just as Sterling was to score, three Eagles hit him, and the ball was on the ground.  Sophomore Matt Center, while still counting his change, picked the ball up and stepped into into the end zone.

   The come from behind  51 to 49 win places Llano in the playoffs against Wimberley, Friday night in Round Rock.  I plan on writing a blog by Thursday with more info on the playoff game.  So, today, I’ll regress to the Jacket’s of today.  We can’t stay too long on this subject.  But, Salado was a very good offensive football team, playing hard with every team in our District.  I told one of the Salado Coaches after the game how good and impressed I was with their talent.  I made sure their quarterback was a senior, and he confirmed that!  He wished Llano good luck in the playoffs, and hoped that Rabb and Saverance were well for Wimberley.  He knew they were both seniors.  The Jacket seniors sparked this surge to the playoffs.  It is so nice when a Vance Bauer, or Chauncy, Ryan Williams, Kevin Vassar ,Cole Barrett, or Rhett Brooks, (104 yards rushing on 12 carries) or Wyatt, or Center, or Clay Tarter, or Wes Haverlah step up, because these talented underclassmen are gravy to a Coach.  But you must have the Lawrences, Johnsons, and Hills play with maturity of a senior.  Where would Llano be this season without Matt Ratliff ( playing both ways much of the time), Kenneth Smith, Sterling, Zach, Justin, or McKay?  All stepped up their game where they were difference makers.  The much maligned secondary still had to have Raven Herron, Michael Rusche (an interception against Salado), and Jordan Cavness (great punter).   Taylor Osbourn was nominated by me at one point in the game when he made an outstanding tackle on the kickoff coverage, for defensive player of the game.  He, like Ian Mayne before him, and sophomore Storey Tatsch, and Clay Tarter do hustle on special teams.

   I’ve spent hours this weekend going back looking for trivia.  Records to make sure no has been slighted.  With Wyatt, Rabb, Saverance, Yellowjacket Offense, McKay, & Cavness all getting mention in new stats.  If they are single game stats, I may place them in the record book this week.  If totals run into career stats (Rabb), I will wait until all games are over.  But, I do need help.  Justin Saverance had a wonderful game.  He had 136 yards rushing on 14 carries, and caught  four passes for 113 yards.  We do not have a cataory for individuals that may have had over 100 yards in receivng and rushing in one game.  I went back to 1977-79 to see if Johnny Baskin had ever accomplished such a feat. Could not find it.  Kevin Fain never did.  Michael White didn’t, nor Will Carpenter.  So many Llano greats.  Saverance may be only one.  Help me out if you remember such a game by a former Jacket.  And from here, I’ll  back here Wednesday or Thursday

   I said that there would be regrets years later when the Llano seniors remembered back on the Liberty Hill game.  The memory these seniors will have of the Burnet game will be memory blockage.  Burnet played pretty good, gave the Jackets two fumbles which should have been enough, but Llano was never in this pre-Halloween game.  Burnet had 14 plays in which they had double diget gains, producing 12 first downs and 315 yards.  Their other 41 plays produced only 117 yards, for a respectable 2.8 yards a try.  Llano’s defense could not play big long enough to give the Jackets the needed field position required to have a chance.  The Jackets 11 possessions averaged beginning play on their own 24 yardline.

   Burnet started their 11 possessions on their 33 yardline.  The real advantage for Burnet was their speed on offense, and our lack of aggression on defense.  Many times the Jacket secondary had the Burnet receivers well covered, only to wait until the catch was made before making a play.   The Jacket linebackers played good enough, and the defensive line was not as visible, mainly due to, I suspect, playing better competition.  Burnet threw the football 20 times and did not allow a sack of their quarterback.

   The Jackets offense was also inconsistant.   The running game produced over 200 yards, with senior Justin Saverance going over 100 yards, and averaging over 7 yards per carry.  The 154 yards passing was on 11 of 27 tries, and hurried throws, over throws, and drops,  Llano just missed out on good chances.  The Jackets did drive 80 yards and 78 yards on two of their scoring drives.  Now look at this.  Those two drives consisted of 20 plays. Llano had no penalties.  Llano ran the ball 14 times for 109 yards for a 7.8 yards a carry.  And completed 4 of 6 passes for 49 yards. Two competions to Vance Bauer, one to Matthew Center, and one to Justin Wyatt.  Winning, consistant football.  The Jackets must bring it all together this week.  Striving to be perfect has to be the goal each week.  Only with that goal foremost in ones mind will the Jackets be able to consistantly have 80 yard drives.

  One consistancy Llano has is extra point kicker, senior John McKay.  18 in a row breaks the school record held by Robert Clark 0f 17 in 1999.  I’m expecting John to get about 10 more chances over the next two weeks, and after we beat Wimberley in the first play-off game, we’ll regroup and predict how many John will have at that point.

   Game balls this week go to Jordan Cavness, Travis Lawrence, and Raven Herron.  Davis Hill contines to play hard at linebacker, and Jordan Johnson still has his motor running strong.  I want Sterling Jameson to run the kick-off out of the end zone.  His speed can get him just on glimmer of daylight, and that is all he needs.  I want Preston to throw only on two drop step backs, and throw.  That is when he is most accurate.  I want Conner Chauncy to never try to get to the sideklines again.  The opening and his quickness put the opportunity at the turning up field place just past the tackle spot.  Turn it up sooner.  I want Clay Tarter to keep getting better.  He improves every week.  I want to see McKay catch more footballs, like about 6 as he did against Comanche.  I want Cavness to punt only once or twice this week, but keep that average over 35 yards.  I want Matthew Ratliff to bury defensive lineman this week.  Take scaples, no survisors.  I want a secondary lead by sophomore Rhett Brooks to get more turnovers.  Herron, Wyatt, Jameson, Rusche, and Tarter need to take a chance…get an interception.  Playing too safe, has not worked.  And I want Llano and its seniors to remember Salado.

   Beating Salado puts the Jackets into the playoffs for the fifth time in 6 seasons with head Coach David Yeager as head man.  Llano can end the regular season at 6-4.  I think it should have been 8-2, but that is just me.  Beating Salado is the kick0ff for the next season.  These seniors have worked hard, and to the  most part, have played strong.  Mistakes, and not taking advantage of mistakes has been the big issue.  Llano, should it ever play 4 full quarters, will surprise even itself.  I want the Jackets to be surprised Friday night in Salado.

   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