Yellowjackets’ goal is the same, but the route changes

LLANO — The road to the state championship for the Llano High School football team starts in the Class 3A Division II Region I playoffs this year.

And it will begin with a team that finished runner-up in District 7-3A.

The Yellowjackets will meet Glen Rose 7:30 p.m. today at Bulldog Stadium at Copperas Cove. 

The Tigers enter the contest at 8-2 overall with losses to China Spring in district play and a predistrict loss to Boyd. 

Glen Rose quarterback Derek Thompson, at 6 feet 4 inches, is a three-year starter, Llano head coach David Yeager said. 

He has thrown for 2,400 yards on 166 completions. 

“They spread the field and throw it all over the place,” Yeager said. “We certainly have our work cut out.” 

His favorite target is Ty Taylor, who has caught 62 passes for 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Chase Evatt leads the rushing attack with 626 yards and 10 touchdowns. Derek Thompson has 87 carries for 553 yards. 

Llano already has faced spread offensive teams such as Burnet and Wimberley. 

“(Glen Rose) has more wide open looks,” Yeager said. 

The Tigers use a variety of combination routes and he expects them to confuse the defensive backs in order to get breakdowns in coverages, the coach said.

“They make you simplify your game plan,” he said. “It comes down to coverages and getting pressure on them.”

Defensively, the Tigers rely on an aggressive front seven led by linebackers Jake Powell, Chris Griggers and Ryan Rathke, lineman Seth Mann and defensive backs Shelby Junge and Immanuel Morales.

Rathke, Mann and Griggers were all-district selections last year.

“It’s based out of a 4-3,” Yeager said. “We haven’t faced a 4-3 a whole lot this year.”

The Yellowjackets will counter with the Slot-T offense, which already has 3,629 yards on the ground. 

Clayton Maples has 1,097 yards on 160 carries, while Estevan Aviles has 88 rushes for 978 yards. 

Both are expected to be in the lineup against Glen Rose. 

“We have to make sure we execute our offense,” Yeager said.

As for special teams, the coach said Glen Rose has multiple kickers. One is right footed, while the other is left footed. 

“They have a very good field goal kicker,” he said. “The quarterback is the punter.” 

One advantage for the Tigers is they do not have the same starters on both sides of the football, Yeager said.

He views Glen Rose as another talented team from region I, the coach said.

“I think region I is extremely tough,” he said. “You’re going to face good teams no matter which route you go.” 

Photo by Tom Suarez/www.tomsuarez.net