By Jennifer Fierro The Llano Youth Football varsity team qualified for the Hill Country Youth Football League playoffs thanks to finishing the regular season with a 4-3 record.
The Yellow Jackets defeated Canyon Lake, Jarrell, Kingsland and Lago Vista to finish fourth in the Division II standings. Losses were to Blanco, Comfort and Kerrville Hill Country.
Llano will face Blanco Saturday, Nov. 2, at Panther Stadium in the postseason opener with kickoff time still to be determined.
Head coach Kemp Lowery noted this Llano team is a mix of fifth- and sixth-graders.
“The kids have learned a lot and improved,” he said.
“We do similar things to what they’ll do at (Llano) Junior High. Being the junior high coordinator for six years, I know what to expect at the junior high level.”
Before the season began, the organization suffered a loss when president Bradley Tatsch unexpectedly passed away. As a result other adults stepped in to ensure Llano’s youth football players still had a season. Lowery noted the players have a decal they wear to honor Tatsch.
Tatsch, who was a lifelong Llano resident, worked tirelessly to ensure the city’s youth had a place to learn to play the sport he loved, Lowery said. And the leaders believe Tatsch would be so pleased with the results.
“They went from winning one game last year to four games this year,” he said.
In an effort to better offset the costs, the organization is hosting a fish fry at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Llano Stadium on the Llano Junior High campus. Cost is $15 per plate.
People simply need to show up with their appetites.
Coach Ty Thurman talks to Curren Bauman (15), Case Thurman (3) and Caisyn Oatman (7). Photo by Gracyn Sanchez
Tyler Jackson (12) hustles ahead to throw a block as Case Thurman (3) and Rhett Miller (66) get ready to block for Garnett Lowery (5). Photo by Gracyn Sanchez
