Play to Win

The 28-13 win over 4-A Jarrell Friday night was a strong win at Jacket Stadium and playing the first time on the new surface, installed just weeks ago.

I felt strongly that the defense would need to show up against a team that last season scored 26 points against a great Jacket defense. With a very athletic and talented quarterback in Nico Rodriguez, the Cougars were always only a run or throw away from scoring. Yet the defense did not disappoint. On the 6th play from scrimmage, Llano’s sophomore defensive back stepped in front of a Nico pass and intercepted for the first turnover of the season for this defense. JD Friday in his first varsity game showed why he is a starter. His played sparked the offense.

On the first play from scrimmage, sophomore Brayton Shaw scored from 40 yards out and Llano took an early lead after freshman Carlos Sapula kicked his first of four extra points. According to Head Coach Matt Green, Sapula is the first freshman to start for him as a freshman.

The Jacket offensive line can stand proud on this performance. Lead by senior Dylan Kennedy, the Jackets were able to rush the ball for 255 yards Friday night. Seniors Billy Everhart at center and Josh Cooper were very good in their first Jacket starts. Seniors JJ Vaughn and Frank Machuga showed their experience and were both very good. Senior two year starter Parker Parish had several key blocks. Seniors Jackson Hoot and Hunter Brown had several key plays in key spots. And sophomores Konrad Zwicke and Carson Stevenson were outstanding in their first varsity games. There will be much to improve on as the season progresses, but this was a good start.

One of the very good moments, being four of them, was the punting of senior Cooper McWilliams. Cooper’s first punt put the Cougars at their own 2 yard line. And his four punts for the night averaged over 37 yards. A wonderful debut for Cooper. And a great weapon for the Jackets. Also, good coverage by junior Wesley Whitaker and Charlie White on Kick offs. This will help Sapula’s kick off game, keeping the Cougars 31 yards and deeper each time.

The Jacket defense continued to show up when needed. Linebacker senior Fitz Kennedy had several outstanding defensive plays, while also playing running back and carrying the ball 13 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Full evening for Fitz. Junior Tate Morgan lead the team in tackles with 8. Sophomore Friday, had 7 solo tackles. Muchuga played so tough in the middle of the defensive line. And old timer Charlie White continued his play from last season with a very strong game. Senior linebacker Dusty Miller was in on 5 tackles from his linebacker position. And Brayton Shaw playing on defense, he also lead the team in rushing with 15 carries and 109 yards and a TD. Not a bad nights work for the sophomore. Sophomore Aiden Detwiler showed why he is on the varsity with a good first game at defensive back. The Jacket defense held on fourth down 3 times, forced 4 punts, and intercepted twice.

New players will be stepping up every week. This roster has 18 juniors and sophomores. I know I missed some in this first week, but I too plan on getting better. Such a surprise to me and such wonderful memories were brought back when I saw Kaleb Payten lining up at cornerback. Kaleb’s first year in Llano, is Tommy Duncan’s grandson. When I was a sophomore, I was honored to play with Tommy when he was a senior. Tommy was one of Llano’s all time greats at running back and defensive back.

And Carter Bickett had a great varsity debut. Carter plays safety I think…maybe corner. But his interception in the fourth quarter sealed the Jacket victory. Carter is the son of Billy Bickett, one of the greatest safeties to ever play for Llano. Billy started as a sophomore along with Bradley Kassell in the secondary. Nearly 30 years ago!

The running game of the Jackets was exciting, and until junior quarterback Colton Baily really gets a good feel for the passing game, will need to carry the offense for a while. Colton completed 5 of 11 passes for 94 yards. Not at all a bad start. But Colton helped his own cause with 13 carries and 58 yards rushing. Along with Fitz and Brayton, a strong running game is perfect at this point. Junior Trey Mott also came in and showed a burst of speed with two carries. I think this offensive line of Kennedy, Vaughn, Machuga, Everhart, Brown and Cooper is built to have a strong running game. It will be needed this Friday night.

I have asked around. I have been to every game played in the present Burnet stadium when Llano played, since it was built. I do not think the Jackets have ever beat the Bulldogs in their green stadium. If we have, please let me know. So this would be a great time to start. Burnet has one of their strongest teams in years. And they still have not gotten over Llano’s win last season. Let’s make it two in a row.

LLano 28

Burnet 12

The Llano Yellow Jackets host the Jarrell Cougars this Friday night at 7PM. The first game to be played on the new turf, also brings with it a Yellow Jacket 19 game home winning streak. Jarrell scored the second most points against the Jackets last season. The 26 points was bettered only by Edna in the State Semi Final game. The Jackets in 2022 gave up an average of only 12 points per game…may not be a record, but the best by far in over 30 years.

The elephant in the room today is the loss of senior quarterback Briggs Green. The returning 2nd team All State quarterback in the Coaches Padilla Poll cannot be measured here. Briggs’ 32 TD passes last season is the second best all time in school history. Career marks in passing yards, completions, and TD passes all would have fallen had the season begun with Briggs. We hope for a speedy recovery, as his leadership skills and experience as an all district safety his sophomore year marked a remarkable two seasons.

While Llano looses one of its best, know that these varsity Jacket players will be playing harder as they recognize the steep hill to be climbed. Llano still has experience at key positions, and experience that will be leaned upon every Friday night. Maybe no one more important than seniors Dylon Kennedy in the offensive line, Parker Parriah at tight end, Alex Kachura at wide receiver, Charlie White at defensive back, Dusty Miller on defense and running back, and likely two way starter, Fitz Kennedy at outside linebacker and running back. All 6 of these juniors last season received recognition on the All District team. Also, two key members are seniors J.J.Vaughn and Frank Machuga. Both experienced offensive lineman.

The Jackets looked good against Brady in last Thursday’s scrimmage. But a scrimmage against Brady is not the same as against a very good Jarrell team coming to Llano Friday night. Jarrell’s team last season was very fast at the receiver positions, as four TDs were for long yards and and they happened fast. Last season Llano had several key players that were experiencing their first varsity games. No different this season for Llano. When you think that players on last seasons team such as Ulisses Martinez, Luke Turner, Russell Nelson, and Cole Franklin had little experience, but went on to gain all district recognition, were just learning in the first game last season.

The excitement for many Jacket fans is just that. Learning new players. When I think back about Mason Baker, Hyden Manahan, or Ricky De La Torre all as sophomores and the kind of players they all became is inspiration for any young varsity player. You can do it. Others have done it. And they all started at the same spot, in that first varsity game.

Will be closely watching Friday night how our new quarterback does, as he will need a very strong running game to keep the ball away from the Cougars. That means the offensive line will have to mature and grow up fast. The defense last season, as I said, would be able to keep Llano in many games until the offense caught fire. I can say the same for this years’ defense. I feel strongly that it too can keep the Jackets in many games, until the offense finds its footing.

Prediction: Llano 27 Jarrell 20

The mystery of what is to come for the 2023 Llano Yellow Jackets football season brings excitement and nervousness to an inexperienced team. But other Jacket teams have been in need of experience, and have had on the job training. Llano will need to hit the ground running, as pre-district games will be true test.

The scrimmage this Thursday in Brady should be a good start. Brady made the play-offs in 2022, in a good 2-3A Div.II. Ballinger, Wall and Early will test the Bulldogs in district play

In a bad kind of way, I wish the Jackets played Brady on a more consistent basis. One of the longest rivalries in our history, few teams have given each other more heart ach than the Jackets and the Bulldogs over 70 years. I can easily count 10 Jacket teams that had 8-2 season records only to be the second place team, and not go to the play-offs. The bitter pill of 1970 when the Jackets and Brady played to 21-21 tie, and the Bulldogs advancing to the play-offs on one more penetration. The Jackets finished that season 9-0-1. Many Old timers would like to see a renewal of the game, someday.

Everything the last two weeks is preparing for Jarrell. The Cougars may be in the roughest district in Class 4A. Having Wimberley, Geronimo Navarro and Lago Vista in your district is nothing short of brutal. The Jackets spent most of 12 years playing those teams. And before that add in Liberty Hill and Burnet. Yet Jarrell made the play offs last season and with a run to the regional semifinalist and a 6-7 record. Preparing smart with Brady Thursday is a true key to being ready for the Cougars to come to Llano on August 25th.

Many LHS football seasons have come and gone, but this season is one I enter with as little of first hand knowledge as ever. The 2023 Jackets bring back All District quarterback Briggs Green with a career 33 TD passes. The Kennedy brothers return. (And their Dad, Coach Joe) Two of the very best from last season. Dylan in the defensive line (2nd Team All-district) and Fitz at linebacker (1st Team All District) return. And 2nd Team All District tight end Parker Parrish. These four team leaders will be the core of a very talented but less experienced Jacket team.

Receiver Alex Kachura, defensive back Charlie White and very special team player and running back Dusty Miller make up a talented group that will have expectations high in Jacket land.

When a 3AAA school has 27 seniors, you can expect good things. The 2022 season and a 13-1 record, tying the best record in school history was awash with experience. But even last season, no one expected Jackson Dillard to have the season at the receiver position to have the home run season he had. No one saw Jaxon Rhea being one the best defensive lineman in school history. Or the play of Bryce Mize. Seniors that came in and played like they were four year starters. Remington Hipp comes to mind. And so many clutch plays by Cole Franklin. They all grew up. And played like veterans.

The returning of JJ Vaughn, Donaven Rodriguez and Frank Machuga will help this team come together sooner rather than later. Hunter Brown could be a difference maker. And glimpses of Jordan Coranado last season who could become a bright star. Jackson Hoot saw action last season, and he too will bring savvy to this 2023 season.

Llano lost alot, including two running backs with nearly 3,000 yards rushing. Four offensive lineman that had multiple years of starting. And an unmatched defense that gave up only 12 points per game. Not easily to be replaced. But….we will.

One ingredient that Llano still has is the winningest head football coach in school history, Matt Green. We return offensive coordinator Ryan Priem. And Llano returns defensive coordinator Matt Anastasio. I can’t imagine three better high school coaches all at one school. The Jackets in 2023 face an uphill battle from the first game on. These three coaches along with a group of super assistances will figure it out. Llano has gone 34-5 over the past three seasons. Three District Championships.

The Jackets face four teams in pre-district play that could all beat Llano. Jarrell, in 4A, Crockett in 5A, and Coleman in 2A all made the state play-offs last year. And by all accounts, Burnet has one of the most talented teams they have had in a decade. Llano plays at Coleman and at Burnet.

Our Yellow Jackets face one tough road ahead, but I fear not. These Jackets will surprise, exceed, and play beyond their expectations and make their goals come thru. 2023 will be an exciting season, and I can’t wait to see what happens. I’m along for the ride.

Next Monday we’ll talk about the schedule, and look at how soon August 25th will get here. The scrimmage this Friday is here in Llano on the new playing surface. Llano will play host to Mason.

August 25 7PM @ LLANO…….JARRELL

September 1 7PM @ BURNET

September 8 7PM @ LLANO…..AUSTIN CROCKETT

September 15 7PM @ COLEMAN

BEGIN DISTRICT PLAY

September 22 7PM @ LLANO….SA COLE

September 29 7PM @ LULLING

October 6 7PM @ LLANO….SA RANDOLPH

October 13 7PM @ MARION

October 20 7PM @ LLANO…..BLANCO

October 27 OPEN DATE

November 2 7PM @ INGRAM MOORE

Texas High School Coaches Association Super Team

Jaxon Lange- Center- Senior- 1ST TEAM

Class 3AAA- Division I

Bryce Mize- Kicker- 67 Extra Points, 7 Field Goals- Senior – 2nd Team

Ulisses Martinez- Defensive Back- 9 Interceptions- Senior- -2nd Team

Ross Edwards- Offensive Lineman- 66 Pancakes- Senior- 2nd Team

Jackson Dillard- Wide Receiver- 48 Catches/ 914 Yards-Senior- 2nd Team

Carson Kuykendall- Running Back-1,931 Yards, 26 TDs, Senior- 2nd Team

Briggs Green- Quarterback- 2,402 Yards Passing- JUNIOR- 2nd Team

District MVP Carson Kuykendall (Sr)

Co-Defensive MVP Jaxon Rhea (U) (Sr) Preston Guinn- Blanco (U)

Offensive MVP Briggs Green (Jr.)

Offensive Lineman of the Year Ross Edwards (Sr)

1ST TEAM OFFENSE

Running back Miguel Hernandez (Sr)

Wide Receiver Jackson Dillard (U) (Sr)

Wide Receiver Ross Prokop (U) (Sr)

Center Jaxon Lange (U) (Sr)

Offensive Lineman Hudson Godfrey (U) (Sr)

Offensive Lineman Daniel Sandoval (U) (Sr)

1ST TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive Line Kyle Gilliland (U) (Sr)

Defensive End Bryce Mize (U) (Sr)

Inside Linebacker Hayden Manahan (U) (Sr)

Inside Linebacker Brock Fly (Sr)

Outside Linebacker Fitz Kennedy (U) (Jr)

Outside Linebacker Ricky Da La Torre (Sr)

Defensive Back Isaiha Bush (U) (Sr)

Defensive Back Caden Bauman (Sr)

Kicker Bryce Mize (U) (Sr)

2ND TEAM OFFENSE

Wide Receiver Coy Kelso (Sr)

Tight End Parker Parish (Jr)

Offensive Line Dylan Kennedy ((Jr)

Offensive Line Branen Green (Sr)

2ND TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive Back Ulisses Martinez (Sr)

Defensive Back Braden Hatfield (Jr)

HONORABLE MENTION Sam Sueltenfuss WR_RB (Sr)

Alex Kachura WR (Jr)

Luke Turner Sp.Team (Sr)
Charlie White DB (Jr)

Remington Hipp Sp Team (Sr)

Dusty Miller Sp Team (Jr)

Russell Nelson Sp Team (Sr)

Cole Franklin OLB (Sr)

32 Yellow Jackets are Honored Voting is done the week after the last regular season game. Play Off games are thus, not considered in the voting. A Coach can nominate players from his team, but cannot vote for them.

The 2022 Llano Yellow Jackets 13-1 season equals the best ever in school history. No easy feat. Yet the loss to a very good Edna team will hurt for a long time.

What many fans noticed soon after the game was Llano played very good football for two quarters, outscoring the Cowboys 21-13 in the second half. One great loyal Jacket fan pointed out that “had we known” before the game that Llano would get three turnovers, we would have taken that. Had we known that against a much larger line, our offensive line would help Carson Kuykendall churn out 158 yards rushing. That Briggs Green would complete 11 of 18 passes for 133 yards, we would have been happy with those numbers. Those are winning numbers. Llano did not have a penalty in the first half. Playing smart and controlled. But getting behind 27-0 in the first half became a hill too tall.

This article for the past 50 years has one strong trait. The article after the last game, is always impossible. Even when you are 13-1. Or, think about those players in 1987…0-10. Tough thinking about the right thing to say. Because nothing really helps. No words help. But the players can be assured that Llano still loves them. That Llano knows we have the best kids…best young men…best players with the most heart of anyone. We would not trade our guys for anyone else’s guys. That Jackets are the best, and today, Monday, is a good time to be a Llano Yellow Jacket.

Over the next few weeks I will put together more musings. Such as thinking about the three shutouts by one of the best defenses to ever put on the Blank and Orange. In the modern age of football, or at least over the last 20 years, no defensive team has played like the Jacket defense. Allowing only 12 points a game in the time of offenses scoring sometimes at will. But not against Llano. Two shutouts against play off teams. Teams averaging nearly 30 points a game. I’ve mentioned that I have no category for the team interceptions. We will now. The reason is simple…hardly ever has it been significant. Well…30 is!!! That is big time…and over the next few weeks I’ll go into detail about that.

It looks like now, this 2022 Jacket offense has broke the school record on total yards. Wow…Great balance with passing and rushing. And we go back many decades before you have a team with two rushers over 1,000 yards. Senior Miguel Hernandez had a tremendous season, carrying the ball 143 times for 1,039 yards, and a 7.27 yards per carry. Carson Kuykendall had a season for the ages, getting 1,931 yards and averaging 6.93 yards per carry.

It may not mean alot today to this fantastic offensive line, but someday, it will. In 1967, Randy Scott was the Jacket senior running back. Randy was fast. But things were different. The game was slower. Some games we would not run 30 plays. Playing tight end, we all did alot of blocking. Llano got to the 9th game, before we…the line got Randy his 1,000 yards. As far as I know, Randy was only the second Yellow Jacket ever to go over 1,000 yards. George Fraser was the first. Many things I think back about with great pride. Knowing I helped Randy get 1,000 yards was special.

Second most points ever scored in a season. Missed the record by 5 points!!

Many of these seniors played on teams that went 13-1…8-3…13-1…34-5 for the three years. Best three year run ever in school history. Second place is 1995,’96,’97….28 wins. But know one has won three district championships. And no one ever had a 19 home game winning streak.

No doubt. It hurts today. But assured of this it will get better and more special for the rest of your young lives.

We will be working on the record book. And as soon as I receive the All District team, I’ll get it up for all to see. It is a great time to be a Llano Yellow Jacket.

The 2022 Llano Yellow Jackets beat a very good Industrial team Friday afternoon in Heroes Stadium in San Antonio to advance to the State Quarterfinals for only the second time in school history. The 42-17 win was also the second time in school history in which the Jackets have ever had a 13-0 record.

The Jackets created a stir as the beginning of the game as things did not go has planned. The Industrial Cobras lost the opening coin toss, but for the first time, the Jackets elected to defer to the second half, meaning Llano kicked off to the Cobras. One first down, the quarterback for Industrial darted 28 yards down to the 4 yard line. The Jackets had allowed the Cobras a nice kick off return of 48 yards, with senior Jackson Dillard making the stop. Then on the third play of the game, Industrial scored from 4 yards out. Llano was behind for the first time in the play-offs, 7-0.

The Jackets were slow to wake up. On the first possession, the Jackets were forced to punt on fourth down, and Dillard got off his best punt of the season with a 72 yard kick that rolled all the way to the 8 yard line. Junior quarterback Briggs Green was the first down field to cover.

The Cobras completed a 31 yard pass, but the Jacket defense took over. 5 yards of losses forced a punt. Senior Carson Kuykendall two runs for 15 yards, and then a Briggs pass to Dillard for 62 yards and the first Jackets score. Now, we could settle down. 7-7 score.

The Cobras’ next possession again saw the Jacket defense excel. Senior leading tackler Hayden Manahan sacked the quarterback, with help from senior Jaxon Rhea. The Cobras punted. Llano put together an 11 play drive down to the 18 yard line. Senior Sam Sueltenfuss had a 14 yard run for a first down. 18 more yards on a pass reception by senior Coy Kelso and another first down. Five more carries by Carson. Llano faced fourth down, and Bryce Mize attempted a 35 yard field goal, but it was a bit off. The Cobras took over. But not for long. Great pressure by the defense showed up. Ricky De La Torre had a super afternoon, as did Bryce and junior safety Braeden Hatfield. And to say senior Isaiah Bush had a good day is an eye roller. Bush picked off the first of his 3 interceptions for the afternoon. A good days work.

Carson, Briggs and senior running back Miguel Hernandez all carried the ball, and then on second down, Briggs again found Ross for a 21 yard strike and the Jackets lead 14-7 with 8:44 left in the half. Mize’s kick was good. Bryce has been so good all season, and his 6 extra points in the play off game goes in the record book.

Unfortunately, the Cobras were still fighting. And an 8 play drive put the Cobras on the 14 yard line, in which they scored and tied the score at 14-14 for the first half.

Many worried at halftime. But not to worry. Remember, Llano received the second half kick off. And Miguel took the ball on the 6 yard line, and went up the middle of the field for a big 66 yard gain., setting up the Jackets on the 28 yard line. On third down, Briggs found senior Ross Prokop for a 32 yard completion and the TD. Bryce kicked good and the Jackets lead 21-14. Then….Llano kick off. The high “bloopper” kick did the trick. It bounced, and Llano’s JJ Vaughn recovered and Llano was in business. First play, Dillard was running to the end zone. Briggs threw the ball, but the Cobra defender had tripped Dillard. They tumbled together in a heap at the one yard line. Yet, as the ball came to earth, Dillard, on the ground reached up for the catch. Carson did the honors and scored standing up for Llano 28-14 lead.

The Cobra’s last real life was an 11 play drive late in the third quarter. But Braeden, Isaiah, senior Ulisses Martinez and senior Kyle Gilliland made the Cobras work for every inch. Caden Bauman, Charlie White, Brock Fly ( 14 stops), Cole Franklin, and junior linebacker Fitz Kennedy (9 tackles) made the defense proud. The Cobras settled for a field goal late in the quarter, making the score 28-17.

The fourth quarter was great, as again, Rhea, Kyle, Cole and Bryce applied the pressure, and on the first two possessions by the Cobras, Bush ended their drives with interceptions. Three for the game. The Jackets have now intercepted 27 passes this season. Llano did not throw a pass in the fourth quarter. Miguel ended the game with 41 yards rushing, and his 66 yard kick off return made for a 105 yard day. Carson had 161 yards rushing on 30 carries. I think this is his most carries in a game this season. What a work horse. Dillard ended the day with four catches and 156 yards, and two TDs. And a remarkable stat is Briggs completed 7 of 14 passes for 201 yards…a plus 29 yards per completion. The Yellow Jackets…no turnovers. Llano only had two penalties, and non the second half.

Dillards 4 punts averaged 43 yards. Briggs had a rushing TD. The Jackets receivers…just get it close…Ross, Sam, Coy, and Jackson…and they will catch it. And all of this would not happen without those big ugliest up front. Ross Edwards, Juice Lange, Daniel Sandoval, Brannen Green and Dylan Kennedy…and senior Hudson Godfrey…a super three year starter. Parker Parrish, Coy and Cole are very good blocking downfield.

When you get to game number 14 for the season, the stats start adding up, but like the song says, don’t count your money until the dealing is done.

This surprise of beating down a good Industrial team was nothing but this team playing smart and staying intense. Llano did not panic after the first half. They became serious and concentrated. Llano now plays a team ranked above them and has for whole season. Ranking means little at this point.

There are only 8 teams left in the State Play-offs. This is called the quarterfinals. Games being played in 3AAA Div 1: Llano- Edna….Grandview-Malakoff…Columbus-Franklin….and Brock-Whitesboro…Everyone left is very good. Jackets advance, by traveling to San Marcos Thursday evening at 7 PM and beating Edna by 8.

The 12-0 Llano Yellow Jackets beat Goliad Friday night In Pieper Stadium (San Antonio area) 21-0 to record their second shutout in as many play off games, and prepare for their Regional game this Friday with Industrial, again to be played in San Antonio.

The Goliad Slot T offense that had scored 120 points over the past two games came into the Area contest ready to test the record setting Jacket defense. The shut out of such a high scoring offense was unprecedented in Jacket history. Llano had only one previous shut out in play off history before Llano took down Cotulla 44- 0 two weeks ago. The 21-0 win Friday night was an exclamation mark for this great Llano defense.

The Jacket offense got the game off to a great start, when the Jackets took the opening kick off and drove 11 plays to score with 7:30 left in the first period. Senior running back Carson Kuykendall got 11 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Junior quarterback Briggs Green completed passes to Ross Prokop for 17 yards and 15 yards to Jackson Dillard. Three plays, three first downs. On the next series, Llano had a fourth and one…and gambled and went for the first down. Carson made it.

One first down, Briggs was sacked for a 12 yard loss. But on the next play, Briggs hit Ross for the 12 yards and Llano had third down on the Goliad 23 yard line. Briggs hit Carson coming out of the backfield for a 7 yard gain. Fourth down on the 16 yard line. Briggs hit Dillard in perfect stride for the TD. Senior Bryce Mize …..again kicked true, and Llano lead 7-0.

In the first quarter, Goliad had one very good play, with a 50 yard pass completion. The other 10 plays in the quarter resulted in the Jacket defense allowing a total of 13 yards. Tremendous play by the down lineman of the defense. Senior Jaxon Rhea had his most impressive game of the year, causing all kinds of turmoil and havoc for the vaulted Goliad running game. Mize and senior Kyle Gilliland too had lock down games. There was no running against the Jackets. Before the final series of the game, I had the Jackets allowing negative yardage in the run game. These guys scored 120 points the previous two games!!!

Along with Jaxon, Kyle and Bryce, junior Jonathan Vaughn had several key plays. Coming up from the secondary was Charlie White and Isaiah Bush. Junior Braeden Hatfield was in on 7 tackles, plus had the games lone interception in the fourth quarter to stop any hope that Goliad may have had in making a come back. It was the Jackets’ 24 interception of the season….a school record never kept, but will be now.

The defense has so many play makers. Seniors Caden Bauman and Brock Fly. Senior Ulisses Martinez and junior Dusty Miller. And those linebackers. Hayden Manahan and Ricky De La Torre…both seniors playing well beyond their years. Russel Nelson and Remington Hipp contribute so often. Jackson Hoot, a junior has become a big time player. And junior Fitz Kennedy…always making the outstanding play every week….What an effort…so proud….

The Offense just went out and churned out the clock. Llano had drives of 11, 9, 11, and 8 plays to keep the ball from the Tigers. Then Llano’s defense gave the offense the ball from two fumble recoveries and the Hatfield interception. Because Llano’s offense kept the ball for extended periods of time, the Jacket defense was always fresh. I said last week, this offensive line could win this game for Llano. The offensive line did their part. Seniors Ross Edwards, Juice Lange at center, Hudson Godfrey, Brannen Green, Aiden Smith and super blocker, Daniel Sandoval kept the offense going. Juniors that showed they belonged were Hunter Brown, JJ Vaughn, Frank Machuga, Donaven Rodriguez, and Dylan Kennedy. All going to be future greats. And downfield blocking, so over looked, it best when Coy Kelso, Parker Parish, Gavin Anderson , Luke Turner and Cole Franklin are on the field.

12-0…Only one other Jacket team has a better resume. Llano went to the Regional finals in 1973, 2007, 2020, and this year.

A short story.: In 1998 Llano came in second in District play, when only two teams went to the State Play offs. Llano had to play Pearsall, a District Champion, ranked in the top 10, and they were 10-0. Llano was 5-5. The State of Texas was in a monsoom…a flood, especially in South Texas. In 1998, few schools had all weather fields. Most fields were standing in 6 inches of water. Llano and Pearsall could find no place to play. Llano head coach Karl McCormack told me he was sitting at his desk, when the phone rang. It was the head coach of Pearsall, and he suggested they play in Llano, since Llano was dry. Coach “Mac” told me he fell out of his chair. Then recovered, and stammered to say “yes” they could play in Llano

Stories still recall….several charted busses showed up early in the day to Llano. The LHS parking lot was covered in Bar-B Que pits. The Llano square was covered in visitors. Never saw so many happy people. I spoke with one group. They felt like they had the team to win State.

Llano won 41-26. Beat a team that was averaging 31 points a game. The Jacket defense held Pearsall to 201 yards of offense.

The Llano quarterback was senior Zack Vassar. He later coached with Llano’s offensive coordinator Ryan Priem at Athens a few years back. Coach Matt Green had met Zack at that time.

Llano played Industrial the next week. Industrial was 10-1. Llano was now 6-5. Industrial won in over-time, 19-16. This is the only time Llano had played Industrial.

Industrial has won 20 games over the past two seasons, the same as Llano. They are considered a good offensive team. Llano will be trying to win # 13, to equal the most wins in school history. Our defense will keep it close. Our offense will control the ball, and the clock. Friday afternoon at 1 PM. Heroes Stadium, San Antonio. Llano by 13.