3A

Regional Semifinals 3A Team of the Week: Llano Yellowjackets

by
Adam Ogburn
December 4

3A Team of the Week: Llano Yellowjackets

Llano went back to the locker room of its regional semifinal game trailing Goliad 22-7. However, the Yellowjacket coaching staff was full of optimism. Their message to their guys? Football games are 48 minutes not just 24.

“We felt Goliad was tiring with our tempo offense,” Llano head coach Matt Green said. “We implored the kids to play harder and faster in the second and never give up. Our kids responded and we just kept grinding away and eventually we began to shift the momentum into our favor.”

The Yellowjackets had the deficit down to seven with under a minute to go as they drove into Goliad territory. And when they needed a big play the most, it was a pair of sophomores that rose to the occasion.

Luke Davis hit Cash Lynch for a thirty-yard touchdown that could have tied the game at 29. Instead, Llano decided to go for two. Yet again, Davis and Lynch linked up, converting the game-deciding two-point conversion in a thrilling 30-29 Llano victory.

My new favorite picture… Game winning 2 pt conversion! @CoachMatt_Green @CoachAnastasio @Arttnctvcom1 @fierrojennifer @ashley_pickle12 @Matt_Stepp817 pic.twitter.com/qUkqqFRYfC

— Coach Priem (@coachryanpriem) December 2, 2024

With the win, Llano is back in the regional final for the second time in three seasons.

“We are working hard to develop a tradition of making deep runs in the playoffs and this team has accomplished that goal,” Green said. “I don’t think many folks had our team making the quarterfinals in the preseason picks, but this team has stuck together and played some great football. I think it’s fair to say our team is grateful for making it this far, and we are not taking anything for granted.”

While the sophomores stole the headlines, the Yellowjackets also had reliable offensive output from a couple of seniors. Trey Mote had 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 25 carries, while RJ Coplin had seven catches for 98 yards and a score as well.

Defensively, Tate Morgan and Gavin Hays led the way with 13 tackles apiece. Senior linebacker Colton Bailey also had an interception for the Llano defense.

The victory sets up a date with a familiar opponent for the Yellowjackets. They’ll face Edna for a spot in the state semifinals.

The two also met in the 2022 regional final with Edna coming out victorious 40-21. Llano will hope to flip the script this time around on Friday at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.