Brahmas End Yellowjackets’ Perfect Season enroute to State Title Berth

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 11, 2020

Hallettsville vs Llano Semifinal 2020 Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Jonathon Brooks Carries Hallettsville Over Llano to State Title Game

For the first time in school history, the Hallettsville Brahmas are playing for a state title. The Brahmas earned their berth with a 53-28 win over the Llano Yellowjackets in the UIL 3A DI semifinals Thursday night in Georgetown.

Following a dramatic 23-21 win over the Columbus Cardinals in the regional finals, the Brahmas had reached the state semi-finals for the first time since 1976. Llano, meanwhile, was making its first-ever appearance in a state semi-final game and hoping to keep their undefeated season alive. Like the Brahmas, the Yellowjackets advanced with a dramatic 31-26 win in the previous round over the Lago Vista Vikings. Both Llano and Hallettsville entered the semi-final game seeking their first-ever state championship berth.

For the Brahmas, senior running back Jonathon Brooks put on a dominant performance on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the University of Texas commit rushed for 304 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Brooks had two interceptions and returned one of them for a touchdown. In total, Brooks accounted for seven of the teams eight touchdowns in the game. As a whole, the Brahma defense was able to effectively contain the quick-striking Yellowjacket offense. Hallettsville head coach Tommy Psencik said that this was a point of emphasize in preparing for the game. Of particular emphasis for the Hallettsville defense was to contain Llano senior quarterback Case Kuykendall. The Brahmas defense was more than up to the task forcing two fumbles and three interceptions.

After both teams punted on their opening drives, Brooks got his first interception of the night on the second Llano drive. The turnover set up the Brahmas at the Llano 34-yard line, and Brooks scored five plays later on a 17-yard touchdown run. Hallettsville missed the extra-point, however, leaving their lead at 6-0. On the first play of the ensuing Llano drive, Kuykendall broke free for a 71-yard keeper to the Hallettsville six-yard line. Three plays later, Kuykendall found the endzone on a four-yard touchdown keeper to give Llano a 7-6 lead. That was the only lead Llano would have for the rest of the game.

On the next drive, Brooks found the end zone for a second time on a 39-yard touchdown run to put the Brahmas back in front. Defensive back Luke Bludau intercepted Kuykendall’s pass on the next drive, and Brooks once again capitalized with a 36-yard touchdown run.

Early in the second quarter, Brooks found the end zone for a third time on a five-yard touchdown run. The Yellowjackets were finally able to respond on the ensuing kickoff when wide receiver Quincy Prince returned the kick 101 yards for a touchdown. Later in the quarter, Hallettsville wide receiver Damani Hartwell extended the Brahmas’ lead to 33-14 on a punt return touchdown. The Yellowjackets were able to respond on the following drive when Kuykendall connected with Prince on a 54-yard touchdown pass.

After forcing the Brahmas to punt on the opening drive of the second half, the Yellowjackets had a promising drive going into Hallettsville territory. The Hallettsville defense, however, cut the drive short when forced and recovered a Kuykendall fumble at the Brahma’s 27-yard line.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Brahmas cut short another promising Yellowjacket drive recovering a fumble at their own 29-yard line. Three plays later Brooks extended the Brahmas’ lead to 40-21 with a 42-yard touchdown run. The Yellowjackets responded on the next drive with a five-yard touchdown pass from Kuykendall to Trevor Cowan on fourth and goal. The Brahmas were then able to recover the Llano onside kick, and Brooks found the end for a sixth time on a 30-yard touchdown run. Following the rushing touchdown, Brooks scored a seventh touchdown on a 69-yard interception return.

With the win, Hallettsville improves to 13-2 overall. The Yellowjackets will face the winner of the other semi-final matchup between Mount Vernon and Jim Ned at AT&T Stadium in Arlington next Thursday at 7:00pm CST.

After the game, the atmosphere was one of jubilation and excitement on the Hallettsville side. Both Brooks and Pscenik expressed excitement in getting the opportunity to bring a state championship to Hallettsville. Both of them also praised their offensive line for providing protection throughout the night from a formidable Llano defense. Pscenik also indicated that the Brahmas would be arriving back in Hallettsville at the courthouse which had been decorated for Christmas and that members of the community would be waiting there to celebrate the milestone reaching the state title game. At the same time, he and Brooks also indicated that they were focused on securing the ultimate prize of a state championship.

Llano, meanwhile, finishes the season at 14-1. While head coach Matt Green expressed his and his team’s disappointment at not reaching the state title game, he was exceptionally complementary of his team’s performance throughout the season. He also expressed great optimism for the future and said that he believes his team had “broken a ceiling” this year with how far they were able to progress.

by Steve Thomas