Yellow Jackets head to Brady after big win over Bangs
JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER
LLANO — When Llano High School head football coach Craig Slaughter was creating the Yellow Jackets’ non-district schedule, he felt it was time to call Brady and ask the Bulldogs (1-1) if they wanted to play.
Fortunately, they did. That’s when the two decided to meet at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Bulldog Stadium, 1000 Wall St. in Brady.
“I know it means a lot to our community,” Slaughter said. “It means a lot to Brady as well. Brady is a very good football team. They beat us last year in double overtime and started six or seven sophomores out there in those spots. So they’re bringing most of those kids back.”
The Bulldogs beat Ballinger 41-0 last week after suffering a 50-0 loss to Brock to begin the season.
Meanwhile, Llano (1-1) defeated Bangs 41-12 on Sept. 4 to bounce back from a 28-13 setback against Wall.
Brady, which returned nine starters on offense and defense, is led by junior quarterback Caleb Turnell and senior quarterback Cash Jacoby.
“They play two quarterbacks, and I mean literally every play, the quarterback runs plays in,” Slaughter said. “Every now and then, one may go a couple of plays in a row. But that’s kind of a unique situation in itself.”
Against Ballinger, Turnell completed six passes for 52 yards and had six carries for 25 yards, while Jacoby completed four passes for 54 yards and had eight carries for 64 yards.
Other contributors include senior running backs Tim Jones (seven carries for 97 yards) and Keyshawn Eagle (six carries for 86 yards) and senior receiver B.J. Hollis (two catches for 43 yards). Slaughter said the Bulldogs tend to call more run plays during a game than pass plays.
“They definitely have kids who can move in space,” he said. “They’re definitely going to have a couple of the fastest kids on the field, which always worries you. They give you different formations, try to spread you out, but they definitely want their skill kids to get the ball in space and let some of that speed take over.”
Besides the skill players, the Jackets also must locate Brady junior Weston Bauer, a 6-foot 2-inch 220-pounder, who lines up at defensive end and offensive tackle. Slaughter said Bauer has the ability to make things difficult for Llano.
“I mean, just a phenomenal player,” Slaughter said. “I don’t want that kid to control the game by putting us in a bad situation. He is a big athletic kid. He gets after you every time.”
While the Bulldogs have performed well offensively, the Jackets’ defense hasn’t allowed opponents to score a lot of points, which gives Slaughter some comfort.
“I feel good about our defense,” he said. “Anytime you’re playing a couple of kids who are the two fastest kids on the field, that’s just kind of a scary feeling. Our defense has really done a great job. The only matchup I think is really tough for us is the ground-and-pound right at you. And Brady’s running game isn’t right at you, but they definitely try to get the ball on the edge. And if we let them be successful in that there’s going to be some big plays given up.”
Defensively, Brady is led by junior defensive end Zach Vaughn, who has 11 tackles, and senior cornerback Raleigh Kubacak, who has 10 tackles. Jacoby also plays safety.
Slaughter said the Bulldogs have players who made tackles that were impressive.
The Jackets will counter with senior quarterback Wyatt Casey, who has completed 14 passes for 166 yards with a touchdown and an interception and has 13 carries for 109 yards and four touchdowns and senior receiver Airon Layton, who has eight receptions for 92 yards.
Sophomore running back Mason Greenwood has 31 rushes for 261 yards and three touchdowns and five catches for 53 yards and a score.
“I think our kids fully believe in when you hand the ball to number three, he’s liable to do the rest,” Slaughter said. “He’s just a really special player. I know our kids believe in him.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com