Llano football coach looks for ‘monster effort’ vs. Bandera
[box]GAMETIME
Llano Yellowjackets vs. Bandera Bulldogs
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13
WHERE: Llano Stadium, 400 Texas 71 West in Llano[/box]
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
LLANO — During a night that could have spelled doom for the Llano High School football team, the Yellow Jackets hung together and gutted out a 21-14 win against Bangs on Sept. 6.
Hours earlier news spread that senior quarterback Layton Rabb would miss the game because of emergency surgery.
“Very proud of our kids and their effort,” Llano head coach Craig Slaughter said. “Really played together. Defense did a great job. (Senior quarterback) Tyler Stiles managed the game well. (Senior running back) Carter Tatsch and the offensive line had a huge game.”
Tatsch, who had eight carries for 10 yards against Wimberley in Week 1, exploded for 272 yards on 22 carries against Bangs.
That kind of effort allowed Stiles to be a part of the outcome, not responsible for it, Slaughter said.
“Keeps us from putting him in situations where everybody in the stadium knows a throw is coming,” he said. “It allowed us to pick our spots. Lets him manage the game, not try to win the game.”
This week’s contest won’t be any easier. Bandera (2-0) pays a visit to Llano Stadium, 400 Texas 71 West, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13.
“Bandera is a much improved club,” Slaughter said. “Very big and physical.”
The Bulldogs beat George West 42-12 and Devine 34-20. Bandera is led by junior quarterback Joe Rodriguez, who has completed 24 passes for 439 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. His favorite receiver is junior Noah Nelson, who has eight catches for 200 yards. Meanwhile, junior running back Landon Ventura has rushed 27 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns.
“We’re going to have to have a monster effort,” Slaughter said.
jfierro@thepicayune.com