Even with new coach, Wimberley’s winning tradition poses challenge for Llano in opener

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

LLANO — A new coach might be walking the Wimberley sideline this season, but Llano High School head football coach Craig Slaughter said the Texans’ tradition of winning never left.

And he and the Yellowjackets will see it first hand when they travel to Wimberley’s Texan Stadium, 200 Texan Blvd. in Wimberley, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 to open the 2013 high school football season.

“When you think about Wimberley, it’s a storied program,” Slaughter said. “Kids constantly play to their highest level. It’s a well-respected program.”[box]GAMETIME
Llano Yellowjackets at Wimberley Texans
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30
WHERE: Texans Stadium, 200 Texan Blvd. in Wimberley[/box]

Doug Warren takes over the Wimberley program after Weldon Nelms resigned to become the head coach at Weatherford High School. Warren spent seven years on Wimberley’s staff with the past four as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Nelms.

Last season, the Texans posted an 8-4 record, including a 27-26 victory against Llano to begin the year. They won District 27-3A and captured a bi-district championship.

Wimberley’s offense revolves around running back West Lambert, who had 413 rushing yards, and quarterback Colton Cerday, who threw for about 700 yards last season. The offensive line includes Triston Moore, an all-District 27-3A selection, center Eric Alana and offensive tackle Will Blackburn.

The Yellowjackets’ offense is led by senior quarterback Layton Rabb, who passed for 1,899 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, senior running back Carter Tatsch and senior receiver Isaac Hutto.

Rabb’s growth — literally — is the biggest difference between 2012 and 2013, Slaughter said. Rabb added about 20 pounds in the offseason. In addition, his understanding of the coach’s offensive system means Slaughter has given the quarterback his blessing for making more audibles.

“We put a lot on his plate,” Slaughter said.

Earning a victory against the tradition-rich Wimberley would show the growth of the Llano program, Slaughter said.

“It would mean a ton,” he said. “Last year, kids raised the expectation level. It would be big for our community, big for our school and big for our program.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com