Yellowjackets take their shot at No. 1 team
Clayton Maples runs with his wall of blockers including Travis Lawrence and Trey Brooks.
LLANO — After notching its biggest win of the season, a 20-14 victory over Wimberley, the Llano High School football team has its eyes on a grander goal – knocking off the No. 1 team in Class 3A.
The Yellowjackets will end their regular season at Liberty Hill today at 7:30 p.m. Both teams are ensured a playoff berth. But the Panthers already have clinched at least a share of the District 8-3A championship. Llano wants the other share.
But Liberty Hill is 9-0 for a reason, Yellowjackets head coach David Yeager said.
“Liberty Hill is just very, very good at what they do,” he said. “Their kids believe in it. They execute it very well.”
The Panthers believe in the Slot-T offense and have used it to win two straight state titles. They have a 33-game winning streak.
Running back Ryan Fickel leads the team with 980 rushing yards on 155 carries. Dusty Turner has 32 rushes for 716 yards for a 22 yards-per-carry average. Dusty Boyd has 109 carries for 709 yards.
“One thing that stands out is their physicality and execution,” Yeager said. “Their offensive line is so athletic. Their tight end (Justin Bates) and tackles are very big.”
The line is led by all-district players Brandon Terry, Brandon Canady and center Tyler Carpenter.
The other statistic the Yellowjackets skipper respects is the Panthers’ ability to convert on third downs, no matter the yards needed.
“To me, that’s execution right there,” he said. “I’m impressed with that.”
Liberty Hill averages 49 points a contest.
On the other side of the ball, the Panthers are just as lethal. They have pitched three shutouts in district play and executed their last drive to beat Burnet, 36-29. Wimberley scored 21 points against them but still lost, 49-21.
“Their defensive line is physical and fast,” Yeager said. “The secondary is fast.”
What’s deceptive about the Panthers’ defense is the athletes break huddle, stand around and look like they’re not ready to play.
“You look up and seven of them are adjusting their mouth pieces,” the Llano coach said. “Then they tackle you for a two-yard loss. The ball is snapped, and they’re everywhere. They’re very fast. Defensively, they’re kind of free spirited. (Head coach) Jerry (Vance) has them playing very confidently.”
As for special teams, the coach said that was an unknown.
“I haven’t seen them punt,” he said. “They’re very well coached and very good.
Injuries and illness still are a factor for the Yellowjackets, especially on the offensive line.
Yeager knows the Panthers will not take it easy on Llano and plans to advance to the playoffs without a loss.
“They’re a good football team,” he said. “Certainly they’re worthy of our respect.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com
Photo by Tom Suarez/www.tomsuarez.net