Dillos Lose a Heartbreaker to Llano Jackets, overcome a 10-point deficit with less than 3 minutes left

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The thrill of victory…. The agony of defeat. The old Wild World of Sports TV introduction had the best summary of the instant classic between San Saba and Llano. San Saba (#6 in 2A) came into the game as a 21-point underdog to Llano (#15 3A) but turned a game that was supposed to be a route into a fight to the bitter end. It’s easy to see why the “experts” picked the Jackets by so many points. Llano’s roster was almost twice the size of San Saba’s, and only one or two players played on both sides of the ball. San Saba’s 22- man roster was filled with players playing “iron man” football and never left the field. Llano’s air it out approach was a complete opposite. San Saba was opposite as they relied on the ground game 81% of the time. You do have to give credit were credit is due; after going down by 10 points with 2:27 seconds left, Llano was able to connect on a deep TD pass, recover an onside kick and then score again with just 44 seconds left in the game. It was a tough loss for sure for the Dillos, but being tested weekly is just what San Saba needs to prepare for not only district play, but also for the big games ahead in the playoffs.

The leading rusher for the Dillos was Wesley Lackey - 16 carries for 130 yards (8.1 avg) and RB Stone Sears – 30 carries for 93 yards (3.1 avg) and 4 rushing TD’s. QB Risien Shahan ran the ball 10 times for 18 yards (1.8 avg) and scored once. Shahan was also 7-16 passing (43%) with 111 yards in the air. WR Reagan Mejia was the top receiver with 2 receptions for 47 yards (23.5 avg) followed by Lance Taylor with 2 receptions for 13 yards; Logan Glover and Teagan Saiez both had receptions as well.

Once again, the Dillo defense played tough against a Jacket team that averaged 46 points per game and more than 300 yards in the air. San Saba’s defense created 3 turnovers along with 7 sacks and limited the Jackets to 187 passing. Leading the way in tackles was LB Stone Sears with 9, Risien Shahan with 8 and Landon Yarbrough with 6. CB Reagan Mejia made his 2nd interception of the year while Justin Yarbrough and Bladen Calley both recovered fumbles for the Dillos.

Game Recap

1st Quarter

8:53 – Llano’s opening drive ends with a 3-yard passing score. – PAT is good 7-0 Llano.

5:43 – After a fumble recovery by Yarbrough on the 40, SS drives the ball to the 5; from there Sears picks up his 1st rushing TD of the game. PAT is good 7-7

End of the 1st Quarter San Saba 7 Llano 7

2nd Quarter

10:58 – Sears takes the ball over the goal line from the 1. PAT is good 14-7 San Saba

9:23 – Llano answers the Dillos score by going to the air and connecting on a 30-yard TD pass. PAT is good 14-14.

8:15 – Once again SS drives the ball to the 3-yard line, from there Sears takes it in for his 3rd rushing TD. PAT is good 21-14 San Saba.

2:11 – A QB draw catches the Dillos off guard, and the jackets score from the 13. PAT is good 21-21.

At the Half – San Saba 21, Llano 21

4th Quarter

11:16 – Sears finds the end zone for the 4th time in the game, this time from 21 yards out. PAT is good 28-21 San Saba.

2:27 – Justin Yarbrough kicks a 25-yard fieldgoal to put the Dillos up by 10. 31-21 San Saba.

1:16 – A questionable catch but amazing none the less 30-yard pass gives the Jackets a fighting chance. PAT is good 31-28 SS.

:44 – After recovering an onside kick, Llano hits a 24-yard pass to take the lead. PAT is good 35-31 Llano.

Final Score – San Saba 31 Llano 35