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.

Playing the 5th ranked team in Class 3-AAA Friday night on their home field was not fun. But it was educational. The Texans scored on their first five possessions and held a 35-7 half-time lead.

Wimberley has nearly 900 kids in high school (Llano has about 515) and the depth showed on the field as the Texans suited up 47 players with 30 of those being seniors. This may be the third different team from this district to make it to the State finals over 4 years. Wimberley is a great football team, and we wish them luck as they travel through Division I of the State Play-offs.

A team like the Texans controls an opponent and you end up often playing at their pace. They have so much confidence, and it shows on the field. Every play at full speed from the snap. Few penalties. So very quick. Actually the Texans are not much different in size than Llano players. The difference was in the quickness of the offensive and defensive lineman. Llano’s leading ball carrier, junior Shane Pope, now with over 1400 yards in 10 games, often was wrapped up as junior quarterback Jordan Leverett or senior Jonryan Passe were still handing him the football. Strength is great, as is size. Quickness and speed rule the day in football.
Llano had plays that produced yards, and Llano can hang their hats on several points. Llano scored 17 points against the Texans when the season average was 9…one of the top defenses in the State. Liberty Hill only scored 9 points against the Texans.

Llano beat the 31-point spread laid out by the Harris Poll, which has been very accurate over the past 30 years. They missed Llano’s Bandera score last week, and missed this one this week. Now I would like to see the Jackets climb a little higher in the poll. Last weeks “98th’ was insulting.

And with the middle of the field very crowded, Llano had a little more success as junior Josh Yocum and sophomore Lance Dickey had good yardage on sweeps. Josh had 11 carries and 97 yards, while Lance’s 11 carries produced 70 yards. The 249 yards rushing was more than respectable. Liberty Hill with its stable of great running backs only managed 104 yards rushing against the Texans.

Seniors Zack Lanford at guard, senior tackle Tyler Hoerster, and senior Brent Wooten had good games, as did consistent Kyle Miiller. Senior Grant Morgan had one of his best games. They were not perfect. But they held their own. They played like they had no interest in the season being over.

Llano did not quit, after being down at one point 42-7. Llano’s 14 seniors have had a great season, and most of it was learning a new system. This transformation was gigantic. Their progress cannot be measured. Their attitudes produced a success path for teams of the future. All 14 should be so proud. Now they can continue while playing on house money!

The Jackets were picked to be a 5th place 27 AAA team. Llano beat two good teams that will be staying home. And with each game, even the Texan game, Llano improved. I was not upset the Wimberley game. Llano will be stronger for it, and it will toughen them for this next game.

Quickly…several Jackets proved depth does matter. Seniors Daniel Warren and Justin Fry have played little this year, yet when they were given opportunities, they did not disappoint. On one set of plays in the fourth quarter, Justin was in on three tackles in a row. The series before Daniel did the same. Super effort from these seniors that were more than backups all year long. Senior Terry Noel played a similar role. Always encouraging from the sidelines, and this show of leadership is why Llano is 7-3 and in the playoffs. Terry was in on several tackles in the game. Each year, they’re seniors that do not play a lot. Sometimes these seniors will “rot” a team with poor mouth talking and complaining. From my view point, Terry, Daniel, and Justin were leaders on the sidelines. They will be leaders in life.
One old saying I love. Great soldiers make great generals.

Llano plays Poteet Friday night in Lockhart. I understand places we have played in years past were taken, and this neutral field will work just great. Old man Yellowjacket Jimmy Hoerster reminded me of the Industrial game in 1998, played in Lockhart. The Jackets lost in over-time 19-16. Industrial was undefeated, while the Jackets finished 6-6 for the year. Maybe one of the great Llano football games of all time. Llano had defeated an undefeated Pearsall team the week before.
Poteet is a school south of San Antonio with about 525 kids in high school. They were picked to place second in their district, and they did. Their edge will be they made the play-offs last year, and will expect more this year, as they lost their only playoff game in 2004. They return their quarterback Sonny Estrada who can pass and run. Expect a good defense.

Llano can win this football game. I count five of Llano’s opponents this year in the playoffs. Llano has played some great teams, so Poteet need not intimidate the Jackets. These seniors need to win because they have worked hard and deserve it, and all want to play another day. Juniors and sophomores must win to set the table for a serious run next season. There are no second places in the playoffs. This 2005 Jacket team is hungry and wants more. Friday night beating Poteet is the place to start. Poteet will be picked by two touchdowns. Sounds like three weeks in a row to beat the odds would be fun.

Llano 29 Poteet 12