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.

I cannot help but think that the new Llano Football coaching staff had many answers to their questions after the scrimmages. The reason being is several players showed up and played like it was a district contest. The hitting was outstanding, and defense was tough. Not that I didn’t know the Jackets could hit…it’s been some time that I had seen such strong intensity as a unit. Many times. Many many times 8 Jackets were in on the tackle. That is Yellowjacket football. And I guess something that may have only been wishful thinking, but the players looked like they were having fun. You can bet on one thing. As the defensive unit comes together, and the players take on more responsibility in keeping the whole team in frenzy, Defense will become King again in Jacket land.

Blanco is a small 2AA school with a great deal of success over the past 10 years. With running back Gilbert Lopez and over 1000 yards rushing last year and a playoff spot, returning from 2004, expect Blanco to show up and play strong. And they could not have played stronger than they did last year when they caught Llano flatfooted and jumped off to a 13 point lead early in the first quarter. In last year’s article, I said it had to have been one of the worst quarters of football in LHS history. Blanco ran up 213 yards of offense against a ho-hum Jacket defense…in the first quarter! Certainly the Jackets recovered, but still few would claim a defensive battle ever occurred, as Blanco finished with 366 yards…264 on the ground.

Brian Hill saved Llano. In his first start of his record-breaking season, Brian passed for 353 yards against Blanco and pulled out a 33 to 19 victory. Llano may have a Brian Hill on the squad, but his name will not be the same.

What happens…what happens every year, is someone steps up. Maybe a quarterback, or running back, or a strong minded defensive player that can set the tone…set the table for the season. Friday night against Blanco, here in Llano at 7:30 PM…. Someone will step up and help to start a new beginning in Llano. A beginning that is sustainable. Lasting. Consistent. And the more players that step up, the better the chance is Llano will win. It still takes 11 when the ball is snapped.

While the Jackets have 4/4 starters returning, that will mean little in 27AAA. Starters this year will have to grow up fast, and most will come from last years’ reserves, and JV players. While we all remember the fine seasons put in by Davis Willmann, Grant Morgan, T.J. Bunnell, Brandon Long, Tyler Hoerster, Zack Langford, and Andy Virdell, this will not be enough. 20 more must be heard from, and heard from early. Crucial spots in the backfield, linebackers, and offensive lineman can develop, but they will be needed Friday night.

This Jacket team has a great opportunity of bringing back to LHS, what belongs to them. Pride and accomplishment.

Play To Win

Llano 24 Blanco 8