Llano 14 - Liberty Hill 63
Llano 27 - Blanco 13
Llano 10 - Early 13
Llano 19 - Commanche 0
Llano 41 - Vista Ridge 20
Llano 34 - Comfort 20
Llano 48 - Ingram 27
Llano 24 - Brady 26
Llano 35 - Bandera 26
Llano 17 - Wimberly 42

Play to Win Archives

2003

2004

LISD Football Records

Play To Win

By Mikel R. Virdell…recording the history of the Fighting Llano Yellowjackets since 1973.

2002….Bandera 39 Llano 32
Bandera went on and won the Div. I State Championship

2003….Llano 42 Bandera 0

2004…. Llano 14 Bandera 9

2005….Llano 35 Bandera 26

The 2005 Fighting Llano Yellowjackets secured its first State Play-off birth since the 2001 season, beating a very good Bandera team 35 to 26 Friday night in Llano. Bandera was a 15-point favorite according to the State-ranking source of “Harris Poll.” The win puts Llano at 3-1 for 27 AAA District play, with one game remaining. Llano, Liberty Hill, and this weeks’ foe, Wimberley will be 27 AAA representatives.

Should Llano beat the number 5-ranked AP team, the Jackets would secure the Tri-Championship. Regardless of the final season districts rankings, Wimberley will represent the District as the “big school” or Division I team, while Llano and Liberty Hill will be in Division II in the playoffs.

The Yellowjackets’ seniors finish 5-0 on their home field, as Llano’s season goes on the road. First, finish the business of beating Wimberley…. again, and on to Bi-District, which likely will be a road game, although not always.

Llano’s nearly 440 yards rushing by four different backs will be a record I will be looking for. One that I am surer about is three backs with over 100 yards each. Not official, but junior Shane Pope had 28 carries and 126 yards, sophomore Lance Dickey 11 carries and 140 yards, and junior Josh Yocum with 22 carries and 126 yards. Senior Branden Long had 8 carries and 29 yards. A tremendous effort by all. And all includes an offensive line that has played way past its potential.
Starting at center is junior Jonathan Hill, after missing time the last two weeks and recovering from an injury. Hill is a very good center, but left the game in the fourth quarter with a hand injury. Not missing a beat was senior Kyle Miiller in to replace. Kyle played like the old hand that he is and the Llano offense continued. Senior Zack Lanford played his best offensive game of the year. What a great effort Zack gave 100% on every play. Zack is a senior that wants this season to continue.

Sophomore Michael Anderson continues to get better, and played his best game to date. He will play better this week against Wimberley. And senior Tyler Hoerster played his best game of his three years as a starting tackle. Tyler never quit on a play, run blocking in the trenches, as well as blocking downfield. Tyler secured his place on the all-district team with a whopping effort. Senior Brent Wooten, sophomore Robert Ivey played all out on every play. And junior Neil Stripling had plays that sprung Llano backs for 10 plays for over 10 yards, as well as averaging over 6 yards per carry. It will take this kind of effort to beat Wimberley.

The defense came thru against Bandera. Three interceptions…Lance, Chris Saverance, and Branden all at crucial times. Pass rush improving by Hoerster, and Patrick Bigger. Shane played some at the two-technique (defensive guard for everyone over 55 years old), as if he did not have enough to do. Davis Willmann continues to play at such a high level, that we take his all out effort on both sides of the ball for granted. His clutch TD catch reminds us how valuable he his. Senior Grant Morgan hit all five of his extra points. And there is only one way for Llano not to have special team break downs on kick-offs, and that is to get Grant to kick them out of the playing field, which he can do regularly. This would be a wonderful week for Grant to show off that strong leg. Again, Andy Virdell played very aggressively at linebacker, as did Grant, Coffee, Sean Fortney, Willmann, Chris, and junior Cory Ritchie. This week, the linebackers will have their plates full against a Texan team that runs for about 250 yards per game and throws for another 150 yards per game.

Special play by folks on the special teams will really have to pay attention against the Texans. Garrett Thompson, David Lindley, and Robert Coffee, along with Cory, senior Craig Miller and Robert Schendel can make the difference on one play. A block here, a tackle there changes a game. Seniors Daniel Warren and Justin Fry had blocks on the kick-off return teams. Good efforts from the seniors. Also Jordan Clayton and senior T.J. Bunnell contribute big time on special team units, while both play hard nose football on defense.

While every week, it seems quarterback Jordan Leverett is an after-thought; again he played error free, threw another TD pass, and is 7-2 as a starter. Not a bad resume. Senior quarterback Jonryan Passe has been given the green light by doctors, and could play an important role from this point forward.

Wimberley will be the best football team Llano has played in several years. They are loaded, with two Division I football players on defense. Does Llano have a chance? Certainly. Llano beat the Co-Champions last year 31-21. They can do it this year, when everyone plays their best football game ever.

Llano 21 Wimberley 17