Oct. 18, 2009

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Play To Win

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

   8 3AAA Standings:
Wimberley       2-1
Burnet               3-1
Canyon Lake     2-1
Llano                  2-1
Liberty Hill         1-2
Fredericksburg   0-3
Ingram                 0-3

Last season, the Llano Yellowjackets faced the Canyon Lake Hawks on their home turf and came away with a sound victory that propelled the Jackets on to a playoff berth.  The task this season will be much tougher.  Canyon Lake is coming off a victory over the Liberty Hill Panthers, and are on pace to win three district games that I predicted they would do back in August.  Llano will have to play a very emotional and inspired game to make sure the Hawks do not make Llano victory # 3 in 8 3AAA.

It will do little to dwell on the 68-6 victory over Ingram.  Llano scored at will, and when “will” was not scoring, the helpless Warriors were reeling in just bad luck.  Ingram is winless in 36 straight games, and while Llano did give up 180 yards, the Jackets were near 600.  Everyone played well.  Players that did get in more playing time such as J.D. Roberson and Kenneth Smith could prove very valuable the next three weeks.  Both linemen played very good.  Cody Lange also played a lot, and is very talented.  Senior Joe Hernandez played well on defense.  And as last week, Lane Sprey and senior Clayton Tumlinson had several fine runs to help the Jackets run up 496 yards rushing.  Junior Raven Herron got his first varsity TD rushing for 8 yards in the fourth quarter. Travis Maddox had his best game to date, and Davis Hill was in all of the right places at his linebacker position.

Sophomore Conner Chauncey got hurt, after several outstanding plays.  Llano’s only backup quarterback hopefully will have a quick return to the field.  Starting QB Preston Rabb had his first varsity TD pass, a 54 yarder to senior Charlie Durham, as Rabb threw for over 100 yards in the contest.

I think senior Russell Weihs had his best night as a Jacket, as I had him for most tackles and was very aggressive all night long.  He and senior Kayden Gass will have their hands full Friday night with the Hawks.   Also, Cody Allen gets better every week.  From the 2-technique position, he had tackles 15 yards down field.  Someone is playing motivated football.  And while the offense of Maples-Aviles-Saverance is scary to any team to have to play, the Jacket defense is the most improved unit I can remember in years. 

The defense is averaging allowing 19.1 points per game to date.  In one of the first articles I wrote this season, I think I said getting that average close to 16 points, and Llano could/would win district.  This defense is capable of those numbers.  Winning district is still a realistic goal.  But thank goodness the Hawks beat Liberty Hill.  Now there will be no overlooking the new kids on the block.  The Hawks are for real.  And they will beat you if you are not at the top of your game.  The top priority of the team needs to focus on no penalties.  Restraint at crucial times will win games.  Llano can and should win this Homecoming game against a very fine and young team this week.  But blink just once and the last two games of the season will look less important.

Llano 28   Canyon Lake 8