Llano aims for offensive consistency in Sonora scrimmage

JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER

LLANO — The Llano High School football team will play its final scrimmage when it hosts Sonora at 7 p.m. Aug. 20.

Sonora will be the first opponent to play on the new synthetic turf at Llano Stadium, 400 Texas 71 East. Sub-varsities take the field at 6 p.m.

Yellow Jackets head coach Craig Slaughter said he is looking for more consistency on the offensive side of the ball.

“I want to see the ball punched in the end zone,” he said. “I want us to step up big our level of consistency.”

When Llano faced Burnet in the previous week’s controlled scrimmage, the Jackets were held to under 10 yards in three plays. In the scrimmage against Sonora, Llano will be focused on staying on the field longer, the coach said.

“It starts with moving the chains,” he said. “In three plays, we want to get more than 10 yards so we can do it again.”

In addition, Slaughter wants to see each player demonstrate a clear understanding of his role in each play, specifically from the offensive line.

“I want to see less busted assignments in blocking the right guy,” he said. “Not blocking the player correctly, that has to end immediately.”

Coaches can see a difference between a player who is in the right spot facing an opponent who may overpower him versus simply not knowing the blocking assignment.

“There are a handful of plays where a kid is physically overpowered,” Slaughter said. “But you better do a good job of being on the right guy blocking somebody.”

The Llano defense gave up two Burnet touchdown passes of 58 yards and 67 yards because of blown coverages.

If Sonora scores, Slaughter wants it to be on long drives instead of one big play. In addition, it’s important that the Jackets hold on third down. Burnet converted a third-and-8 and a third-and-11 to keep drives alive.

“I’d love to see us not give up any play over 20 yards,” Slaughter said.

Llano starts the new season at Wall on Aug. 28 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

jfierro@thepicayune.com