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 2005 Llano Yellowjackets helped to make Homecoming in Jacket Stadium a wonderful Friday night success as the Comanche Indians traveled home with a 19-0 blanking and the Jackets improved their record to 2-1. It was not until the final 5 minutes in the game that Llano allowed fans to sit easy. Senior Grant Morgan’s two field goals were all that separated victory from defeat, and the 6-0 Llano lead for 43 minutes looked shaky at times.
After losing last weeks game in Early with less than two minutes to play, this week too became worrisome. In the fourth quarter, Comanche continued a drive from the third quarter, and drove from its own 20-yard line to the Jackets’ 17-yard line before the defense took over the game. The very impressive 17-play drive by the Indians ended when outstanding plays of Luke Meador, Sam Whitaker, Michael Anderson, Davis Willmann, and Andy Virdell ended the drive.
The Jackets took the ball and scored in seven plays, capped by junior Shane Pope’s 3-yard run and Grant’s extra point. Llano lead 13-0 with less than 3 minutes to go in the game.
The victory was great. The Jacket defense continues to impress. Less than 140 yards by Comanche. I do believe that linebackers Andy Virdell and Davis Willmann had their best games, and the over-all linebacker play is a key to this defense. Grant, Brenden Long, Robert Coffee, and Kyle Miiller all rotate in and out. All will hit you. Improvement, and learning this new defense will produce more games like Comanche. An outstanding effort against a team that was suppose to beat Llano by about 6 points if you follow the Harris Poll. A very good win against a team that made the playoffs last year and All-District running back Sheldon Feist was held to less than 80 yards after averaging 125 yards a game last season. The Jackets have allowed 20 points less after three games this season over last year, and while playing the same schedule, both Early and Comanche are better teams this year.
The offense still has work ahead. Pope had his best game with over 140 yards. But only 210 yards of offense will not be enough, as the schedule gets tougher. The improvement must come in the offensive line. The 7 or 8 players that play most of the downs will have to get tougher, and stay lower. 7 plays of loss yardage. The positive side, 7 plays over 10 yards, with 18 on a pass play from quarterback Jordan Leverett to senior T.J. Bunnell on the first play from scrimmage. Also, the Jackets had five possessions with 7 plays or more.
Special teams play is very good because everyone hustles downfield. Junior Garrett Thompson and Senior Robert Schendel and Andy Virdell showed why they are on special teams. They like to hit. Also, Grants’ punting is a big plus, as well as his kick-offs. These parts of the game will win other games this season.
This week is dangerous. Llano plays a team that has only juniors and sophomores, and Vista Ridge has a long way to go before they can win. So does Llano take it easy this week? Only if they do not want to improve, and if they want to get players hurt. This needs to be a bare-down week. This is the week that players commit to making themselves better. This is the week the offense takes that next step up, and not because Vista Ridge is a weaker opponent, but because Llano executes its offense better, ands the offensive line actually gets better. This week is an opportunity. Llano must take advantage of the circumstances. Because after Vista Ridge, the atmosphere changes. Games become very serious. Llano must continue to improve and push to become a better football team every week, regardless of the competition.
Beating a good Comanche team was a great start. Beating and executing against Vista Ridge is a must.
Llano 30 Vista Ridge 0

Hall of Fame: Everyone cannot be thanked, but what a success it was to see the expressions on the honored players from our past. Our LHS Hall of Fame has inducted our best ever. And most important, their citizenship outshines their high school accomplishments. The ceremony could not be accomplished without the work of Gena Schulessler, Joni Howell, Charlie Bauman, Shannon Kasper, Debbie Rabb, Diane Willmann, Coni Milliorn, Larry Farris, Harold Underwood, and Jerry Butler. I am sure I have missed some, but your help is all appreciated.
If you have never visited the Hall of Fame in the O.Henry Building, you must go. It is so special. It is a history. It is us. Please visit, and the building can be opened up for reunions and other gatherings. The Hall of Fame belongs to you. Please support it, and visit it.