Play to Win - Llano High School Football

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Play To Win

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

The stars were just not in alignment Friday Night. Wimberley came with their best game, their best defense, and that intangible thing called experience, and created little stir in slapping down the Yellowjackets 28-7 in the big showdown of District 25-3AAA.

The District play-off entries are the same as last season, with Bandera going Div I, and Wimberley and Llano playing out in Div II. The Texans play this Thursday night against San Antonio West Campus, and Llano gets a repeat from last season, meeting Lulling in the first round of the State Play-offs. The Jackets beat Lulling last year by a score of 26 to 20.

The Jackets just never got comfortable last Friday night. The offense had 5 series of 4 plays or less. The running game was stuffed repeatedly by very good linebacker play and a very penetrating defensive line that gave Llano little wriggle room. Senior Wes Regmund’s two carries of fifty plus yards was the only bright hope. Senior’s Ty Thurman and Lance Dickey were often hit deep into their own backfield. Very little wiggle room for these two great running backs. Quarterback Trey Brooks was sacked several times, thus, no yardage in the passing game.

Over-all, it was not pretty, but this is one the seniors in this class, now supporting a 7-3 season record must brush off the dust, and go again. And few things help a disappointing loss more than a play-off victory. And that must be the focus now.

Only once in the history of Llano High School, has a Jacket team gone two games into the play-offs three years in a row. These seniors can match the record with a win against Lulling. A victory in week two will place this team in an elitist company. But, Lulling must come first.

Llano was within range of Wimberley at half-time. Actually Llano had more yardage than the Texans. But only 59 net offensive yards in the second half sealed the fate of the hopeful Jackets. The Texans scored twice in the second half, once on a two play, 38 yard drive after not making a fourth and one first down try, and the second TD on one play, after Llano punted and allowed a 30 yard return down to the 13 yard line.

Llano’s defense played better than the score. It was field position, three turnovers, and the inability to block for the running game that turned this game sour. On defense, junior Andrew Ratliff played very well. Nathan Dudley was steady. Dusty Lockhart got another interception. And Ethan Moore was in on many plays. Still Llano’s play was a little slow. And that was all it took to give the Texans the edge. The defense only allowed about 200 yards in offense. Certainly winning football. But for this season to continue on, the whole team must show up.

Lulling comes into the playoffs as the second place team in their district, but # 1 in “small school”….thus we play # 1, the Texans play the #2 team. If the Jackets really wanted to get a second chance, we could keep winning and play Wimberley again about the fourth game of the playoffs! On a neutral field. Might be fun if Llano brought its “A” game.
My hope is the Jackets put the Texan’s game behind them as soon as this weekend. Nothing should shadow a 7-3 record. Llano played Kerrville, Lexington, Brady, Bandera, and Wimberley, all in the State Playoffs. Llano beat 4-AAAA Marble Falls that ended up with a 6-4 record. The Jackets beat Taylor, for the first time in school history, a program only removed from Class 4AAAA two years ago. Our Jackets should sense an opportunity that has few peers. This senior class can buckle down and play its’ heart out for a few weeks, and could have a lifetime to enjoy and reap the benefits. I really believe this team could win two or three games into the playoffs. If that were realized, the 2007 Jackets would be in a very small classroom. Only the 1973 Quarterfinalist team can now crow louder.

To beat Lulling, Llano’s offensive lineman must gain back their confidence that may have been lost last week. They must rally themselves into knowing they can block with the best of teams, and have the confidence knowing they have three senior backs that are all capable of going the distance on any one play. The key to this opportunity lies with an experienced line that can pull this wagon. Llano running its’ record to 8-3 next week is not a dream. It is what this team expects of itself.

Llano 38 Lulling 12