Sept. 15, 2008
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By Mikel R. Virdell…recording the history of the Fighting Llano Yellowjackets since 1973.
Do you remember me describing the Rockdale game as ugly? I have to now put that in perspective. The Rockdale game was a beauty contest in comparison to the Bandera game. The major and only difference is the one thing that really counts. Llano beat Bandera. Oh but, so unattractive!
The Yellowjackets 51 to 48, at home, victory Friday night might be the record for most points allowed by an opponent where Llano still won the game. The only one close to that was …guess who? It was in 1999 when Llano beat Bandera 43 to 36! Last years’ game with St. Michaels in which Llano won 68 to 35 is third. And according to my records, # 4 seems to be a tie: 1991 Llano beat Mason 38 to 27 (65 total points), and 1996, Llano beat Liberty Hill 48 to 27 (75 total points).
I don’t have any idea of what to say about the defense. It is a mystery to me. On some plays, there is a complete breakdown of coverage, of containment, and of pass rush. Yet, great plays are made at other times. Junior Kayden Gass and senior Reagan Friedrich make tackles all over the field. About three plays a game, senior Corey Wunderlich looks like an all-state player. Few can stop up the middle like Royce Haines. Tate McWhorter and Andrew Ratliff could make a “how to get it done” film on about 10 plays a game. And our best and brightest players are in the secondary. Tribble is back in the lineup. Trey Brooks is super in certain situations. Russell Weihs plays all out and is never seen standing around. Clayton Maples, when rested, you would not trade for anyone at the corner spot. And with only three games under his belt, Estivan Aviles( Interception in 4th Qt.) can play safety with anyone. And after Friday night, the injuries to seniors Jordan Ashabranner and Taylor Maddox leaves very little wiggle room for Llano coaches. Seniors Logan Davis ,Ty Compton, and junior Patrick Fonbuena are still walking the sidelines. Hopefully, all can return by the start of District play on October 3rd. The inconsistency cannot continue.
When Llano players take a play off… bad things happen. Inconsistent play can be solved by the seniors. The seniors must take hold of their team, and demand concentration, and 100% effort at all times and on every play. Llano has had many a losing season due to lack of leadership. This team has leaders. The Jackets have shown that they can play defense. It has not been the situation that we are outmanned, or even out hustled. It has been a letting up and not playing hard every single play. Coaches can preach, and practice extra hard until tears run down their cheeks, but senior leadership is the key to this team making the playoffs. I hope these seniors realize it is in their hands to make 2008 a memory they will never forget, and more importantly, a memory with no regrets.
The confidence level of everyone that plays on offense is truly flabbergasting to me. In 35 years of Llano football, and only after three games, I have never seen such resolve from a team. You, me, and the lady selling popcorn, and my wife all know that when Llano has the football, Trey Brooks is going to take his bad of merry men and march right down the field and score. In three games, and 29 times Llano has had the football, 19 times the Jackets have scored. Llano has punted 5 times, and has had two turnovers. The Jackets are averaging nearly 42 points a game. The running game of Maples* and Aviles is on an unthinkable numbers pace. Jordan and Trey are pretty fair runners. But there is little let up when you put in Clayton Tumlinson, or Todd Tribble, or Jeffery McLerran. And we all know who is responsible for such a gangbuster of an offense. Those old dirty lineman and few know their names: Ratliff, Ball, Hoerster, McWhorter, Gammill, Lawerence, Wunderlich, Compton, Johnson, Dukes, and senior Walker Woolman, and junior Steven Yantis. Block like these guys do, and Llano will be in every game until the end.
Few last minute notes. Coaches, please find another player or two to go with Kayden Gass, Taylor Maddox, Greg Dukes, Seth Graham, Marcus Perez, Forrest Hoerster, Clayton Tumlinson. These guys hustle down and make tackles in the kicking game. Their contributions are special, and it is also dangerous.
Clayton Maples 267 yards rushing is the fourth best single game rushing yards in LHS history. A tribute to every Jacket that threw a block for the junior Jacket fullback.
Remember:
Over-all Record: First Game played in 1952. Llano 9 wins, Bandera 3 wins. Worst Loss: 2002 Bandera 39, Llano 32. Best Llano Win: 2003- Llano 42, Bandera 0.
Most Memorable Game: It has to be the 2002 game. Llano was down 24 to 19 at halftime. The last game of the season, and the 3-6 Jackets had a slight chance to still make the playoffs. Llano played one of its best halves of football, as they got ahead 32 to 24, only to lose it minutes later. The Jackets drove to the 14 yardline before time ran out on a very good Jacket team. Bandera went on to win the Class 3AAA State Championship Div. I.
Taylor:
Llano will be playing one of the best improved teams in all of Central Texas this week. Tristan Meyer, 190 pounds, 4.4 speed, over 600 yards rushing in three games, and Mark Jackson, 4.4 speed will be all Llano can handle. This will be a true test for the Jackets. Our defensive lineman will have to stay low, and the linebackers will have to make every tackle. It will be like playing Llano’s offense, but only bigger and faster! Ball, Ratliff and Gammill will block on one of the best linebackers in Central Texas, Trent Rojas.
Llano beat Taylor last year for the first time ever. Llano could go a long way in regaining that inconsistent play by winning a game on the road, against a very good team.