Ten Highland Lakes Sports Insights

CAPTION: The Edna offensive line controls the line of scrimmage against the Llano Yellow Jackets and paves the way for success. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Texas high school football season has ended for the Highland Lakes region, which has me all in my feelings. It’s a difficult time when one sport ends, particularly when it hits me that these teams have seniors who’ve given so much to their programs and left memories that won’t be quickly erased. Saying thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but sports is all about effort, right?

1. The most difficult part of covering the Llano High School football team’s 40-21 loss to Edna was listening to head coach Matt Green do his best to comfort his Yellow Jackets, who truly believed 2022 was the year they’d win the Class 3A Division I state championship. Following his comments, he hugged his son, starting junior quarterback Briggs Green, who was inconsolable. Few people know the challenges of winning a state championship better than the Greens, who have been part of some incredible runs when they lived in Lakeway and were on the Lake Travis coaching staff. So they are uniquely qualified to speak perspective to the players, which is equally valuable when trying to help with broken hearts. To be one of the last eight teams remaining in the Texas playoffs isn’t easy, and my hope is that in time the Jackets will see how truly unique and extraordinary that is.
2. Let’s talk about Edna. The Cowboys had some intangibles that were difficult to overcome. The biggest was found on the offensive line itself. In speaking to several print reporters in the press box at halftime, a simple question was asked. What is the average weight of the offensive linemen? Response — 250 pounds. To be honest, the unit looked to weigh more than that. Add in the zone read executed to perfection by junior quarterback Jaiden Clay and speed among the skill positions, and it was a lot to overcome. Coach Green pointed out the Jackets missed their scoring opportunities in the first half that allowed the Cowboys to build a 27-0 advantage at the half. Unlike the 2020 loss to Halletsville, which featured the best player on the field in Jonathon Brooks who made numerous plays en route to leading his team to the championship game, these Cowboys relied on a slew of athletes to make plays. But Clay was the ringleader in ensuring his teammates were involved throughout the contest. Edna faces Franklin in the state semifinals.
3. Let’s stay in Llano as we move on to basketball. Congrats to the Yellow Jackets for winning the Thrall tournament days after suffering a 60-59 loss to Round Rock Ignite, a contest that slipped — literally when a Llano ball handler fell as he was dribbling to set up a play in the final seven seconds — past them. After that loss, head coach Rich Powers said his team was going to “ball out” at Thrall, and he was right. There’s excitement surrounding the Llano High School gym because of these Jackets who will soon be at full strength with the addition of the football players to the roster.
4. The Marble Falls High School Lady Mustangs suffered some losses at the Battle of the Bay tournament in Corpus Christi over the weekend. But those setbacks won’t keep this team from accomplishing its goals, which include winning the District 24-4A championship and making a deep run in the playoffs. This tournament served a most important and crucial role — it gave the Lady Mustangs a glimpse of Region III basketball. Marble Falls has been in District 25-5A, which is in Region IV, and it needed a look at the competition in the new region. Now the Lady Mustangs know what’s ahead, and that’s invaluable indeed.
5. The Marble Falls boys basketball team hosted its annual Subway Classic and won its opener 55-50 against San Antonio St. Mary’s before losing four straight contests to Georgetown East View, San Antonio Brennan, Cedar Park High, Copperas Cove and San Antonio Edison. Those losses were to opponents with more intangibles than what the Mustangs should encounter in district play. Head coach Travis Crain said the Mustangs are still learning one of the most valuable and hardest lessons for any team — how to win. He believes this tournament showed the players more about preparation, how to get mentally ready to play, and what it takes to succeed at a high level all with the purpose of getting ready for district play.
6. The Faith Academy of Marble Falls girls basketball team went 2-2 at the Lometa Tournament and had a player, McKenzie Arhlett, named to the all-tournament team. That was great for the Lady Flames, who are also learning more about winning. Like the Mustangs, their roster is filled with juniors and sophomores who continue to battle. Head coach Kat Canada is helping her players fine-tune their mental fitness for opponents, which is part of building a successful program. The good news is the results of the tournament illustrate these players believe in what they’re being taught and are showing it on the court.
7. Illness was part of the preparation for the Faith Academy boys team, which was traveling to the Grand Saline tournament Dec. 2, days after beating Jourdanton 51-24 Nov. 29. In that contest, head coach Zakk Revelle created plays that allowed his athletes’ natural talents to shine. That displays two important team characteristics — coachability and trust. Congrats to the Flames whose goals of repeating as district champs remain very much intact.
8. The Burnet boys basketball team is off to a solid start at 5-6, including posting a 2-2 record at the Lorena tournament Dec. 1-3 with wins against Waco Meyer 58-33 and Hillsboro 48-46 and losses to China Spring 62-58 and Lake Belton 56-50. Four starters return from last season, making the Bulldogs among the favorites to win the district crown. The Bulldogs’ ability to keep games close was on display in Lorena, and their ability to win those will be a key characteristic as this season plays out.
9. The Burnet Lady Dawgs’ four-game winning streak was snapped at the Granbury tournament in a 37-34 loss to Abilene Wylie to begin the event. Burnet came back with a 57-5 win against Dallas Inspired Vision and Millsap 50-39. The other tournament loss was to Hurst Bell 38-34. Burnet is in fine form and in great shape as we move closer to the start of district play in January.
10. Let’s hand out two final football game balls — to Llano senior defensive back Ulisses Martinez, who had two interceptions, and to senior running back Carson Kuykendall who had 158 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries during the loss to Edna. Both ended their time in a Llano football jersey the way they began — by giving it all they had despite the score. Many Jackets played well enough to earn game balls. These two, however, helped their units stay on course for goals for each contest and deserve to be celebrated for how well they played.

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