Play To Win

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

The 2007 Llano Yellowjackets have taken care of business the last two weeks, all in order for the District crown to be at stake this Friday night in Wimberley. The score of 42 to 14 last Friday night in beating a sound Bandera team was the last part of the puzzle in preparation for the quest to win the first district championship since 1998.

Llano’s 110 points in district play verses Wimberley’s 101 against like teams looks like an even match. And while Llano’s defense was shutting out Ingram, the Texans blanked Bandera. Everything is set for a great shootout Friday night on the Texan’s ssshome field. Llano in the meantime played perfect 5-0 football at Jacket Stadium this season, the first time in many years.

As this offensive line plays, so goes the Jacket offense. Another Yellowjacket 300 yard rushing night, and seniors Robert Ivey (270 Pounds), Michael Anderson (270), center Dusty Lockhart (170), and guard Jared Francis(170), will have years of bragging rights in football circles. Junior Andrew Ratliff (290) has been a monster all year. These lineman get little to no recognition unless it is a mistake such as holding or off-sides. The blocks that spring record pacing backs Ty Thurman, Lance Dickey, and Wes Regmund has the Jackets humming on offense. The 39 points per game average is already 2nd highest all-time total. When you have very high quality back-up lineman such as Seth Hensley, Royce Haines, Tate McWhorter, Bradley Tatsch, Sam Whitaker, and coming on so strong, junior Corey Wunderlich, this might be one of the best offensive lines I have seen in 20 years. Ratliff, Tatsch, McWhorter, Haines, and Cory will be back next season. One small indication on how good these offensive lineman have played: In the Jacket’s last three games, the offense has scored on 26 of the last 32 offensive possessions! 178 points ! The six non- scoring drives: Two were knell-downs. Two were end of the game. One turnover. One punt.!!!
Llano’s special team play is helping to win football games. The downfield blocking and tackeling on kick-offs is 100% all out effort by several players. Few hustle harder than seniors Cody Feitz and Nathan Dudley. Tremendous play by both. Jordan Ashabranner can get downfield with the best of them. Taylor Maddox, and Ethan Moore are good, and Wes always is in on the stops. Junior Kyle Leyendecker’s kick-offs are strong, and coverage has gotten better. And while Llano has only punted once in the last three games, Lance Dickey’s hang-time on punts has made a weapon for special teams.

Ty’s 91 yard kick-off return was a back breaker for Bandera. Key blocks made it happen. I was not able to get any of the numbers of players who did the blocking, as it has been so long since I saw a Jacket return a kick-off for a TD. I was counting my change and missed the blocks! But, only Willie Erwin in 1974 with a 100 yard return, and Kevin Fain in 1977 with a 93 yard return have ever had longer returns in school history. Lance Franklin in 1984 ran one back 88 yards against Gatesville. But who could forget 2005, when Jordan Clayton went 84 yards on a return against Vista Ridge? Ty is in the record book at # 3 all-time!

And I have to mention this for the special teams: Thurman to Woolman or Seth Simpson on the extra points should never be stopped. What a great play! Ty will either run it in, or drop it three yards into the steady hands of Walker or Seth. Both have great sure hands.

Defense: Pass rush by seniors Kyle Frizell, Anderson, Sam, Cory, and Tye Siegenthaler has improved 100% since the beginning. Kyle had two sacks against Bandera. The pass rush will be so important against the passing game of the Texans this week. Wimberley will throw the ball 20 to 30 times a game. Linebacker play is steady, if not really good at times. Logan Davis is as tough as they come. Austin Freeman is back from an injury, and plays all out every down. Nathan, Kyle, Francis, Woolman, Tye, and Brady Vestal all will hit you.

Secondary will be tested this week. Wimberley has the best pure passer in Central Texas. Junior Todd Tribble, Dusty (an interceptions against Bandera), Taylor, Wes, and Lance had better be ready. Seth Simpson at safety will have his hands full, but he will do just fine. Fietz and Moore will need to make big plays. In a game like this, big plays will happen. Heads up play will determine the winners. This secondary can carry the load.

The steady hand of quarterback Trey Brooks has the entire offense in good hands. A remarkable number of few bad plays by Trey gives accountability to a team scoring 39 points a game. Trey’s running of the Jacket offense will find little criticism.

Is Llano ready? Sure they are. And my reasoning is Llano’s seniors want a district title. The leadership of these seniors will put Llano over the top. The goal was a district title. The goal was to sweep the district games. Few things could give this Jacket team more confidence in playing deep into the play-offs than beating Wimberley on their home field. Winning district will give this team a whole new level of confidence. And going to the next level has been these seniors’ goals.

My prediction for this weeks game -

Llano 27 Wimberley 19

Previous Years Results

Year       Llano       Wimberley
2000         0                21
2001        42               13
2002        40               36
2003        24               26
2004        31               21
2005        17               42 ( Won State Championship)
2006          7               42