Yellow Jackets at home vs. Brady with payback on their minds
JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER
LLANO — Few are more excited to play a home opener than the Llano High School football team.
After starting the season with two consecutive road games, the Yellow Jackets (1-1, a member of District 13-4A Division II) couldn’t ask for a better opponent. They open the first of three straight home games against Brady (1-1).
“We had two long road games,” head coach Craig Slaughter said. “Against Brady, we’re looking for a monster game.”
The Bulldogs (District 3-3A Division I), who posted a 7-4 record a season ago that included a trip to the playoffs, beat Pecos 38-21 to begin the season but lost to Lago Vista 42-32 last week.
Last season, Brady beat Llano 44-6, though it was only 13-0 at the half.
“They whipped us last year,” Slaughter said. “It’s something that’s been on our minds. We’re hoping to have a much better showing.”
Brady is led by senior quarterback Caleb Turnell, who has completed 26 of 48 attempts for 231 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and has rushed 58 times for 548 yards and five touchdowns. Senior running back Weston Bauer has 29 rushes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
Slaughter said Brady utilizes a spread offense to run the football.
“They never take a snap under center,” he said.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are led by linebacker Beau Jacoby, who has 19 tackles, and defensive end Vaughn Zack and linebacker Landon Schwertner, who each have 13 tackles. Zack also has a sack.
Slaughter said Brady plays solid defense, adding the Bulldogs have depth.
The Bulldogs have 25 seniors on the roster and five juniors.
“Brady had a junior-loaded team last year,” Slaughter said. “Now, they’re senior-loaded.”
Winning at the line of scrimmage will be crucial in the outcome of this contest, the coach said, especially since the Jackets want to establish a strong run game with junior running back Mason Greenwood. Greenwood had 26 rushes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the 28-14 loss to Sonora last week.
Slaughter said he is looking for improved play by the special teams, noting two dropped snaps on punts led to good field position for Sonora.
“Our special teams have been subpar,” he said. “We need to get that cleaned up in a bad way.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com