Jackets to face another top team
The Yellowjackets gear up for an area showdown against Bridgeport at 6 p.m.
Head coach David Yeager did not mince words assessing of Bridgeport.
“They are the real deal,” he said. “They might be the best team I’ve seen on film in four years.”
The Bulls enter the game as the District 5-3A champions at a perfect 10-0.
They are led by all-state quarterback Cameron Green, who has completed 129 passes for 1,860 yards and has a completion percentage of .683. He has 70 rushes for 369 yards.
Brother Corbin Green has 119 carries for 918 yards. Bridgeport has rushed for 1,874 yards.
“They have the whole package – outstanding players, they execute offensively well,” Yeager said. “The brothers are like clones. They’re very fast and explosive athletes.”
The Bulls will line up in a variety of formations and look like they are as comfortable throwing the ball as they are running, the coach said.
“They do run the spread, but they run out of the spread, too,” he said. “Their average margin of victory was 40 points.”
In district play, Bridgeport scored at least 31 points and averaged 51 points a game.
Yeager said the Bulls beat Decatur, 56-7, which is a traditional powerhouse.
Defensively, Bridgeport lines up in a 4-3 defense.
“The defensive line is quick,” Yeager said. “They get off the blocks fast. They put so much pressure on our (offensive) line.”
Linebacker Zach Bracken had 111 tackles a season ago, while Corbin Green and Dustin Krebs are the most experienced in the secondary.
Add to that height and mobility, and the Yellowjackets skipper believes his offensive unit will have to be ready to play for 48 minutes from start to finish.
“Defensively, they block and are very aggressive and fast,” he said.
The Yellowjackets will rely on the Slot-T offense to limit the Bulls’ offense and the Bridgeport defense.
Llano has rushed for almost 4,000 yards this season. Clayton Maples has 1,248 yards, while Estevan Aviles has 1,086.
“We have to move the chains and collect first downs,” Yeager said. “We have to keep the clock rolling and keep their offense off the field.”
The Jackets were able to do that last week in their win against Glen Rose. Llano had 84 snaps to the Tigers’ 40. Glen Rose had only 14 offensive plays in the first half as the Yellowjackets built a 19-0 lead that propelled them to a 33-21 victory.
Yeager is looking for the same thing against the Bulls to limit their offensive snaps.
“We have to,” Yeager said. “(Bridgeport’s) average drive is four plays and they score. We have to hand on to the football.”