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.

The fighting Llano Yellowjackets won their first game of the season for the fourth year in a row, and rolled to a 27-13 victory over Blanco. Few would jump out and say the jackets played great in the opener. Improvement needed, but still, everything is new. New offense, new defense, new coaches.
Llano’s play began slowly, with 88 yards rushing and 37 yards passing in the first half. Blanco responded with 89 yards rushing, and 46 yards passing the first half, and it was 13-13 at halftime.

The second half the Jackets look more intense, and more serious. Better tackling was the most notable reason. Still, with junior quarterback Jordan Leverett and his very steady hand, Llano’s offense was better. 23 rushers for 93 yards, and Jordan was two for two passing and 45 yards, and his second TD pass of the night. Jordan was 4 for five passing and senior Grant Morgan from his tight end position caught his first varsity TD pass in the corner of the end zone for 9 yards with 1:07 left in the first half to tie the score, after Grant kicked one of his three extra points for the evening.

T.J. Bunnell took in the 27 yard pass from Leverett early in the third quarter for Llano to take the lead in the game. Grant’s extra point was true.

The second half, Llano’s offense had drives of 8 and 9 plays, while the first half, the offense had a 7 play drive and a 12 play drive that ended with Grant’s TD catch. Over all…a good game. It will take time and practice for the team to feel confident that they can make first downs on fourth and one, and it will take more time for the offensive lineman to work together.

I really like that the Jackets offensive lineman are in four-point down positions. Many of these players have been doing little else but pass blocking over the past four years. First move when the ball is snapped is step back and stand up. Horrible habit to get into, especially when you run the football. First step then is the fire straight ahead, stepping forward, back straight, head up, and as low as possible. The coaches that put in the four-point stance were thinking good! Also, was the fact that I counted 9 players playing on the offensive line (Not at the same time)!!

Lead by center Jonathan Hill, senior Kyle Miiller, sophomore Michael Anderson, junior Neil Stripling, senior Zack Lanford, junior Patrick Bigger (255 pounds), 195 pound senior Terry Noel, 230 pound senior Brent Wooten, and senior, 285 pound Tyler Hoerster. Others may have played, but I know these all played, and for the most part played well. They blocked enough to help the backs average about 4.5 yards a carry…winning football.

Junior Shane Pope, 190 pounds, had 29 carries and 136 yards according to the newspaper. I will wait for the coaches final tally, but is total is close to being the best for a game since Travis Allen was a sophomore in 2002 and he dad about 163 yards then. Pope is not fancy. He stays low, hard to bring down with one defender, and is more of a workhorse runner. 29 carries is a lot.

Also, running by T.J., and Branden Long, junior Andy Virdell, and juniors Jordan Clayton and Lance Dickey showed that Llano has talent at the running back position.

The defense allowed a total of about 165 yards, in which 135 yards came in the first half. Several Jackets played very good on defense. Maybe lead by sophomore safety Lance Dickey. Dickey played like Billy Bickett when he was a sophomore. Billy, along with another sophomore by the name of Bradley Kassell, were as good at the safety positions as I have ever seen. Lance may not be there yet, but it takes a great pass rush, and help from other backs to make for a great secondary. Lance got help from Jordan Clayton, a junior, T.J., junior David Lindley, and #44, junior Chris Saverance. Chris took a completed pass away from the Blanco receiver. His first varsity interception must go into the category of a real take-a-way. Chris could become that other secondary person that shows he makes plays. Lance saved at least four TDs’ by is sound tackling.

Grant, senior Davis Willmann, Long, Andy Virdell, senior Robert Coffee, all played well. These leaders will only get better. One that got better as the night went on was 240 pounder junior Luke Meador. Luke had a sack, and he hustled went the ball was not run at him. With that kind of hustle, this Jacket defense has a chance to get very good.

Special teams are very important. With Grant’s kickoffs going to the 1 yard line, the 6, the goal line, 2 yards deep, and the goal line…for an average of the two, someone has to hustle to get down field. David Lindley was there, as well as good work from Long, and senior Robert Schendel. Robert also on offense was blocking downfield on several plays. I guess he had not read ahead in the manual about resting on those plays! Good work.

This was a team win with room to get better. Llano can get better this week as they travel to Early, who returns 9 defensive starters from last year.

Llano won last year, but big plays won that game. A better dose of “steady” might work this year. On the road will also be different for so many of the young Jackets as this will be their first out of town game.

Llano will prevail. Llano 32 Early 14.

Everyone, please remember, the next week is homecoming, and the new Hall of Fame Inductees…. that event begins at the O.Henry Building, Sept. 9. at 5 PM….get there early for a seat…bring a check if you can. Cash will be accepted!!