August 10, 2009
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Play To Win
By Mikel R. Virdell…recording the history of the Fighting Llano Yellowjackets since 1973.
Llano ISD Superintendent Dennis Hill, calling Llano his home for a mere 28 years has missed only two LHS Varsity football games since 1980. Dennis began coaching in Llano at the high school level. No doubt he digressed, moving into administration and becoming the LHS Principal, and next to Asst. Superintendent, and on to the big chair. Two games! Some folks have missed that many in two weeks!
The Yellowjackets continue to practice in this searing August heat. And so are Wimberley and Liberty Hill and Burnet. And many times that competitive drive is what will keep a player going, knowing in order to compete in this very strong 8-3AAA, the Yellowjackets must keep going forward. For few districts will have the force of knowing every week, you could get beat.
Llano plays five teams in 2009 that made the 2008 State Play-offs, and that does not count Wimberley, picked 6th in the pre-season State Rankings, nor does it include Fredericksburg, with an enrollment of 928, or Taylor, with an enrollment of 943. Llano is the smallest school in 8-3AAA with 510 in High School. The Jackets have no one on their schedule that can be considered a sure thing with the exception of Ingram in district play. The Canyon Lake Hawks, with an enrollment of 906 will field a team that will have its first senior class. If last year’s underclassmen are any indication, they will not only be better, they could surprise more than one 8 3AAA foe. Last years’ juniors and sophomores were big, fast and showed no fear. Their 11 returning starters on both sides of the football cannot be overlooked.
The Jackets faced the same schedule as last season. It looked bleak coming into 2008. Burnet coming down from 4-AAAA, as was Fredericksburg. Liberty Hill had just won the 3 AAA title two years in a row. Yet the leadership of the Jacket seniors kept the focus. It was one game at a time. It was sticking together when there looked like the light was not even in the tunnel. And not knowing what to expect, the Jackets got hit hard in the very first game by having to travel to Rockdale and get beat in what turned out to be a horse race. The Tigers won that game 39 to 33, but Rockdale in 2008 was a 9-3 football team. Very strong in a very strong district themselves. This year, Rockdale will not slip up on anyone. Ranked 15th in State in preseason, the Tigers come to Llano for the first time ever in two weeks.
The State Coaches poll has Wimberley at #5, Rockdale at #15, Bandera # 18, and Bangs #23 in Class 2-AA, and picked as District Champs. Liberty Hill is ranked 13th in the poll. And if you only read the newspapers or Texas Football, you would know the smart betting is saying Burnet will claim the third playoff spot out of 8 3AAA. Llano has yet to even be mentioned as even a dark horse. It actually is insulting, and I personally resent the fact….well that the facts are ignored. So, I take pen in hand to inform. You are welcomed to take notes.
Llano will be playing one of its hardest schedules in school history. And that challenge will be met head on by the Yellowjackets unexplained will to win, and to play better than they really are!...There is no explanation to this. It is either in the water, or Llano produces better, hard working football players. Of all of the teams that Llano plays, the Jackets are the only team that has been to the State Playoffs four years in a row, other than Liberty Hill.
Llano returns two running backs that had more yardage than any other team with returning running backs. All world sophomore running back Dennis Smith from Wimberley and his 1,275 yards are impressive. Yet Llano has two such unheralded backs. Senior to be Clayton Maples had 1,322 yards in 2008. His tandem teammate Estevan Aviles had 1,194 yards on 124 carries. Estavan’s 9.63 yards per carry broke the school record of 50 years held by LHS Hall of Famer George Fraser. This 2,500 yards return easily surpasses any team the Jackets play. If experience counts, and by all accounts it does, Llano has the most!
What is really exciting for the Jackets is Llano’s lineman return with high quality, and some quantity. Seniors Jas Ball and Josh Gammill both could be tremendous. Both were starters last year, and both dominated their opposition at times. Being stronger and quicker, this could only make Clayton and Aviles smile. The lineman of Jas and Josh are supported with fully capable players in Forrest Hoerster, Charlie Durham, Davis Hill, Kyle Leyendecker, and Matthew Ratliff. This line could dominate. The leadership of this team could come from these lineman. They will be the difference makers if the Jackets can somehow, make the playoffs five years in a row!
Next week, we’ll talk about defense. In the meantime, Llano scrimmages Sonora Saturday here in Llano. See you and Mr. Hill at the Stadium!