The script called for a perfect storm. The actors hit every key. The 2007 Llano Yellowjackets have the stage set for an all-star performance that begins this week playing district rival Bandera.

The script called for Llano to play a very controlling football game against a weaker foe in the Ingram Warriors. Work for two weeks, and reduce the mistakes. Work for two weeks and not get sloppy or lazy. Work for two weeks and play near a perfect game. The work for two weeks had results Friday night.

Llano had only one “bad” penalty the entire game. The Jackets did not turn the ball over, and the defense never even hinted they would allow Ingram a thought of crossing the Jacket goaline. The Llano offense has done something that I cannot imagine ever happening anywhere else, and certainly never in the annuals of Yellowjacket football.

You may remember two weeks ago that the Jacket offense lead by junior quarterback Trey Brooks scored on 9 of 9 possessions against a pretty fair team of St. Michaels. That is surreal. This week, the Jacket offense scored on 10 of 13 possessions. On the three possessions the offense did not score, Llano missed a field goal, and the second one Llano punted, and on the third one, the Jackets took a knee on the ½ yardline! Folks, that is 19 scores on 22 possessions over the past two games.

Granted, the competition may not have been the strongest, but many offenses cannot line up in practice without a defense and do this good. Every mental mistake possible says this is impossible. 15 yard holding penalties, fumbles, interceptions, and just plain old blocking mistakes stop drives. Llano’s one elected punt in the fourth quarter is the only time in two games for the Jackets to be stopped. In a close game, and being on the opponents’ 37 yardline, the Jackets would have been going for that first down in the fourth quarter. I don’t know where this goes into the record book, but this is unimaginable.

Trey Brooks is the quarterback on this team, and a great soft touch in throwing his few passes each game. Sure hope no one finds out about he and Walker Woolman. Walkers’ two catches for 52 yards and ending each time on the one yardline. Pretty nifty! What was also satisfying was to see senior Cody Fietz play flawlessly in the third quarter and direct three scoring drives. Cody is also invaluable in the Jacket secondary, as he got an interception Friday night.

Can’t enough be said of the stable of Jacket running backs. Ty Thurman, Lance Dickey, Wes Regund, Austin Freeman, Ethan Moore, Taylor Maddox, Logan Davis, and Jordan Ashabranner. Coaches confidence in any of these players has got to be part of the success of this team. All run with authority. All are strong after getting hit. And, now on a pace to go after last seasons rushing mark of 3786 yds.

A mention last week about watching the defensive line. Ingram had 17 running plays for 6 net yards. 11 plays for negative yardage. That is what you call penetration. Lead by seniors Michaerl Anderson, Sam Whitaker, Jared Francis, Kyle Frizell, Seth Hensley, and juniors Cory Wunderlich, Royce Haines, and Andrew Ratliff… these guys know how to play football.

Great linebacker play again from juniors Logan Davis, Kyle Leyendecker, and Justin Logan. Seniors Nathan Dudley, Tye Siegenthaler, Freeman, and Dusty Lockhart play like it is their last year. Two more regular season games. You make every play rememberable.

The secondary has improved by about 50% in five weeks. Austin, Wes, Taylor, Seth Simpson, Lance, Brady Vestal, and Cody are playing much sounder and tackeling much better. Junior Todd Tribble’s interception was a good heads up play.

I am not going to mention names this week of the engine that runs this team, the offensive lineman. All I know to say today, is your mission is on track. You all take no survivors. Your mettle will be tested this week. Bandera was the hottest team in 25AAA before getting pasted by Wimberley Friday night. Don’t expect the same effort from the Bulldogs this week. Their victory last year against Llano put them into the playoffs. Their game plan remains the same. Our offensive lineman will be the key to victory number # 2 in 25AAA.

Last year, the Llano Yellowjackets and the Jacket fans had a hard time with the four team district.

In the first district game with Ingram, Llano won by a score of 34-0.
The win put Llano into the state play-offs. Just like that! It was hard to understand, and harder to not take the whole situation seriously. Win one game in district play and that was all it took. There have been seasons when Llano has not even lost a game in play, and did not make the play-offs!!!

The result was a let down. A poor game against Bandera followed the Ingram win. The loss to Bandera did not change change the outcome of the next play-off opponent, but Llano ended last yearwinning only one game in its’ last four contests.

A 7-5 record was nothing to sneeze about, but it just did not feel right. I really have a feeling about this 2007 team. The offensive and defensive line play is improving weekly. In order to win 4 or more games this season, their improved play will be essential.

Our recent history with Bandera:

YEAR      LLANO        Bandera
2002             32               39 (Bandera Won the State Championship)
2003             42                 0
2004             14                 9
2005             35               26
2006             22               27