Yellowjackets’ win keeps them in hunt for playoffs

CANYON LAKE — A 47-6 thrashing of Canyon Lake Oct. 24 allowed the Llano High School football team to accomplish several goals.

The first is to continue to create depth, an objective for a team.

The second and most important was to keep the Yellowjackets in the thick of the playoff hunt.

But head coach David Yeager said the lopsided score may make it appear easier than it was.

“They have a football team that’s getting better every week,” he said. “It was 35-6 at the half. It wasn’t as easy as it sounds.”

Llano scored first and then intercepted a Canyon Lake pass on the next possession. But a bobbled handoff resulted in the Hawks recovering the fumble.

However, Canyon Lake punted the ball back to Llano. Soon the Yellowjackets had first and goal at the five. The Hawks forced a fourth and two, but this time Llano would not be denied and took a 14-0 lead.

From there, Llano never looked back.

“We came out healthy,” Yeager said. “A lot of kids got to play.”

One reason coaches emphasized a business-like attitude is because the Hawks faced the Slot-T offense for the second time in two weeks.

“I think the nod has to go to them,” the Yellowjackets skipper said. “They faced Liberty Hill and did some good things against the No. 1 team in the state. We were pleased with the work ethic and persistence.”

The Yellowjackets want to create depth on the offensive line. 

As many as three reserves took over.

“Those kids played well upfront,” Yeager said. “We’re building depth. You’re only as good as your offensive line.”

The big lead also allowed other athletes to take over at fullback, halfback and tailback. Jordan Ashabranner, Estevan Aviles and Clayton Maples have shouldered the majority of the workload. But Taylor Maddox, Clayton Tumlinson, Kaleb Kiby and others have shown they are capable of stepping in.

“A couple of kids feel very confident rotating in,” the coach said. “We’re two deep in those positions.”

On the other side of the ball, Llano has given up only six points in two weeks. 

But Yeager said it goes beyond that.

“Obviously what I’m pleased about is no one has been able to run the football,” he said. 

The win ensures the Yellowjackets’ goal of qualifying for the playoffs is still in reach.

“It was a good win against an up-and-coming program,” Yeager said. “I was pleased. They have a talented group of juniors who will be doggone good as seniors.” 

Photo by Tom Suarez/www.tomsuarez.net