Featured Football High School 

Depth throughout the 2022 Llano football roster bodes well

The Llano High School football team has pieces in place that give coaches great optimism for the 2022 season. The Yellow Jackets are looking to win their third consecutive district title in the fall with more experience on the lines, at receiver, at running back and in the secondary. “We had a lot of big ball games the kids played in,” head coach Matt Green said. “The only starter we returned last year was (quarterback) Maddox (Green). Now we have the chance to be really, really good anytime you return…

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Featured Football High School 

Green wants to see specific traits in new Llano starting quarterback

The starting quarterback battle at Llano High School has revealed plenty of strengths between the two athletes who have taken snaps for the Yellow Jackets 7-on-7 team. They are junior Briggs Green and senior Bryce Mize. Head coach Matt Green noted each player has wowed coaches and has made them scratch their heads during ball games. Green has years of experience playing and coaching that position, which means he has specifics he is studying. Top of the list is “a guy who makes good decisions on and off the field.…

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Ten Highland Lakes Sports Insights

Welcome to this weekly column where readers will find a summary of sports across the region and the impressions left on this writer. Though summer strength-and-conditioning sessions aren’t scheduled to start for a few more days at University Interscholastic League schools, high school athletes aren’t resting. That was apparent at Bulldog Field when quarterbacks were working on pass routes. Burnet will have a new starting quarterback in 2022, senior Taylor O’Hair, who has taken most of the snaps during 7-on-7 play. O’Hair and the other quarterbacks are showing the commitment…

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Basketball Featured High School 

Parker is new girls athletics coordinator at Llano High School

Llano High School has a new girls athletics coordinator and head cross country and girls basketball coach, announced Llano Independent School District athletics director Matt Green. It’s Jay Parker. Parker served as the Shallowater High School head boys cross country and girls assistant basketball coach for the last four years including during the 2019-20 season when the Lady Fillies won the basketball Class 3A state championship. One player on that team was Paige Parker, the coach’s daughter, who graduated in 2022. Chuck Darden retired as the Lady Fillies head coach…

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Featured Football High School 

Llano’s defense leads the way to wins at Burnet 7-on-7 state qualifying tournament

The Llano High School 7-on-7 team posted a 2-1 record at the Burnet state qualifying tournament May 28. The Yellow Jackets defeated Brownwood 12-6 and Somerset 15-13 before losing to Lorena 19-6. Lorena won the pool and beat Gatesville 27-0 in the championship to earn the automatic bid to the state tournament. “We were in a tough pool, they were very competitive,” Llano head coach Matt Green said. “We were against some very, very tough competition against Class 4A programs. I was impressed with our kids. I was proud of…

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Featured Football High School 

Burnet, Llano, Marble Falls trench warriors compete in Lineman Challenge

The trench controllers were on display during the Burnet Lineman Challenge May 28. Marble Falls was the highest finishing Highland Lakes team with 36 points for third place followed by Burnet with 26 points and Llano with 22 points. Lorena won the challenge, and McGregor finished second. A tiebreaker was used to determine first and second. “It went well,” said Burnet offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Tyler McIntosh, who served as the event director. “Everybody got out and competed well. It’s awesome to have these for the linemen.” The…

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Featured Football High School 

Bulldogs earn electrifying 7-on-7 win during Burnet state qualifying tourney

The Burnet 7-on-7 team finished 1-2 at its state qualifying tournament May 28. The Bulldogs defeated Taylor in thrilling fashion. In overtime with Burnet trailing 25-18, senior quarterback Tanner O’Hair found junior receiver Grant Jones for the touchdown and the two hooked up again for the two-point pass and the 26-25 win. Burnet lost to Gatesville 27-13 and to McGregor 30-12. Head coach Bryan Wood noted the Bulldogs didn’t play like themselves to start the tournament when they faced Gatesville. “We didn’t have much energy,” he said. “The second game…

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Featured Football High School 

Burnet, Llano planning to win 7-on-7 tournament bid

One automatic bid to the 7-on-7 Division II state tournament is up for grabs at the Burnet State Qualifying tournament Saturday, May 28, and the Bulldogs and Llano are aiming to win it. Standing in the way are six other squads with the same intention. The tournament begins at 9 a.m. at Bulldog Field, 1400 Bulldog Stadium Drive. Burnet is playing in one pool that includes Gatesville, McGregor and Taylor. Llano is in the other pool along with Brownwood, Lorena and Somerset. The winners of the pools will face each…

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Ten Highland Lakes Sports Insights

Welcome to this weekly column where readers will find a summary of sports across the region and the impressions left on this writer. This weekend is the first of several state track meets beginning with the Class 2A meet of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. The Faith Academy of Marble Falls boys team is looking to successfully defend its state title. Head coach Steve McCannon, who is a numbers whiz as well as a great coach, told me his projections showed the team title will come down…

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Featured Football High School 

Football competitions highlight the next two months

The beginning of May means the start of 7-on-7 for football players, including in the Highland Lakes. Burnet High School is the site of a Division II state qualifying tournament at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 28. In addition, Burnet also is hosting a linemen’s challenge with competitions specifically designed for those who work in the trenches. Both events start at 9 a.m. with the 7-on-7 teams playing at Bulldog Field, 1400 Bulldog Stadium Drive, while the linemen will compete at the practice fields next to it. Registration fee for…

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