Llano football looks to add to win column against Marion

The Llano High School football team is traveling to face Marion at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, in another District 5-3A contest.

The Yellow Jackets (4-3, 2-1) are approaching this game with precise focus, head coach Matt Green said, with the aim of not allowing the Bulldogs (2-4, 0-2) to gain confidence as they search for their first district win. Marion fell to Blanco 48-7 Oct. 6 after losing to Universal City Randolph 21-14 in overtime Sept. 29.

“Marion is a very dangerous team,” Green said. “They have talent across the field. They don’t give up. We battle them as tough or tougher as any team we’ve played. We have to do everything in our power to beat Marion.”

Marion senior quarterback Bo Stahl has completed 48 of 103 passes for 623 yards, two touchdowns and eight interceptions and has 70 carries for 361 yards and five scores. Junior running back Christian Sanchez has 62 rushes for 321 yards and a score. Senior receiver Chase Hallmark has 25 catches for 393 yards and four scores.   

“They throw quick screens,” Green said. “They run the quarterback, they have a good running back who goes for eight-, nine-, 10-yard runs. Their run game is formidable.”

The Jackets are looking to bounce back after losing to Universal City Randolph 24-7 Oct. 6, the Yellow Jackets’ first district loss since the 2019 season. It ended an 18-district game winning streak.

“I knew we’d have to play really, really well,” Green said. “We weren’t able to capitalize on things that went our way. We had two turnovers on special teams and didn’t get a fourth down conversion. Those are the things to me that make a difference.”

Randolph (7-0, 3-0) opened the scoring on a 50-yard pass to Lee McMooain III from Collin Stucki for a 7-0 lead.

The Ro-Hawks scored again, this time in the second quarter thanks to a Cody Howard one-yard run for a 14-0 advantage

Llano scored its only touchdown when freshman quarterback Luke Davis hit Konrad Zwicke on a 15-yard touchdown pass with about four minutes left in the half. Randolph led 14-7 at the intermission. But the key play was “a razzle dazzle” on the kickoff when Davis caught then passed the ball to junior R.J. Coplin. Coplin ran beyond the 50-yard line to give the Jackets a short field.

The Ro-Hawks fumbled the ball on the ensuing kickoff, and the Jackets got it. But Randolph didn’t allow Llano to get a first down and forced the Jackets to turn the ball over on downs, ensuring a 14-7 advantage at the half.

“Credit them,” Green said. “It’s fourth-and-1, and the spot says we don’t get there. That’s life; that’s the game of football.”

Randolph began the third quarter with an Aaron Davis six-yard touchdown run for a 21-7 lead.

Llano looked to equal the score, using a long pass to get into Randolph territory. But again the Ro-Hawks defense refused to budge.

“Credit their defense,” Green said. “They were able to keep us out.” 

The Ro-Hawks connected on a 23-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter thanks to a drive at that chewed up most of the clock.

Randolph had 212 yards of total offense to Llano’s 167.

Stucki completed 8 of 17 passes for 127 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He hit five receivers during the contest. Junior Nathan Skeete had 4 carries for 24 yards.

“Our defense gave us a chance to win the game,” Green said. “I thought our defense played outstanding.”

Llano had 41 rushes for 92 yards. Junior Trey Mote had 18 rushes for 39 yards, while junior quarterback Colton Bailey had 7 carries for 20 yards.

Davis completed 5 of 12 pass for 67 yards and a touchdown. Junior receiver R.J. Coplin caught four passes for 26 yards.

“They were hard to consistently move the ball on,” Green said. “Their secondary is exceptionally talented. To make one long sustaining drive on them is a tough ask. We didn’t turn the ball over. We did the things you have to do to win. I was really proud of our kids’ efforts. I thought our kids played their tails off. I wouldn’t be surprised if Randolph doesn’t make a deep run.”

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