MAKING PROGRESS
Badgers focused on continuing offensive improvement
By JEREMY HEATH Staff Writer

The Badger defense forced four fumbles, recovering two, in a 21-16 home loss to Taylor last week, but it also allowed Taylor running back Tristan Meyer to run for 256 yards and three touchdowns, including jaunts of 42 and 57 yards in the second half. The Badgers have forced nine total turnovers in two games, eight of which have been forced by the defense.

Lampasas head coach Ryan Bailey knows better than to let the 70-7 beatdown Liberty Hill gave Gatesville last week affect his team's thinking heading into tonight's match-up with the Hornets.

First off, Liberty Hill didn't garner that No. 2 state ranking for no reason. Second, last year Liberty Hill beat Gatesville 84-10 in Week 2, and Gatesville turned right around and handed the Badgers a 41-6 loss.

"These kids saw the same thing last year, so they're definitely not focused on that," Bailey said.

The Badgers (0-2) enter tonight's Homecoming affair coming off a 21-16 home loss to Taylor. The Badger defense allowed Taylor's Tristan Meyer to run for 256 yards and three touchdowns, but the Badger offense improved its production from 116 yards in a Week 1 loss to Waco University to 262 total yards in the effort.

PHOTOS BY GABE WOLF

Against Waco U, sophomore quarterback Vann Millican threw for 87 yards and three interceptions. Against Taylor, he threw for close to 200 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The offensive line also progressed in its pass protection, giving up just one sack in 38 drop backs.

"Our main thing -- especially with the young kids -- is not to make the same mistakes twice," the coach said. "We eliminated some of our mistakes from the first week, and if we keep eliminating mistakes every week, eventually they'll go away."

Sophomore running back Brode DuBose ran for 59 yards and a touchdown on three carries in Week 1 but was limited to 22 on five carries last week.

"We're putting a big focus on the running game in hopes that the young kids mature quickly in that area," Bailey said. "We want the progression we saw on offense to show itself in the running game this week."

Coleton Lucas: Leads team with 15 solo tackles.

The receiving corps made major strides against Taylor. With the Ducks focused on stopping Jarrod Bowen, Seth Fry caught seven passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, Aaron Reyna caught four for 43, and Cole Ball caught one for 22.

"Week 1, we didn't get our hots (hot reads), but last week we made our adjustments and some other guys stepped up," Bailey said. "Seth caught seven balls, Aaron made some great runs after the catch, and Cole was open most of the night and looked like a player who could have some big games for us."

With Bowen double- and triplecovered when he lined up on the outside, Bailey lined him up in the shotgun on a handful of plays to directly receive the snap.

"We've got to get him the ball," he said. "We're going to continue to do things -- line him up inside and in the backfield or wherever -- to get him the ball."

While the defense did give up almost 300 yards on the ground to Taylor -- 99 of which came on two runs by Meyer -- it also continued a trend of giving the offense additional chances. After producing five turnovers in Week 1, it forced three more against Taylor, recovering two fumbles and intercepting a pass.

Brode DuBose: Will get the nod at tailback.

"We've got to continue to play our bend-but-don't-break style, force turnovers and just keep getting the other team to the next down," Bailey said.

The Matchup

Teams
Gatesville (0-3) at Lampasas (0-2)
Last Week
Taylor defeated Lampasas, 21-16
Liberty Hill defeated Gatesville, 70-7
Key Players
Lampasas: Linebackers Coleton
Lucas; Reese Vann and Stephen
Eskola; Receiver Jarrod Bowen;
Quarterback Vann Millican; Defensive
back Jeremy Brown
Gatesville: Quarterback Justin
Biedrycki; Running back Robert
Evans; Wide receiver Eric Oechsle
At Stake
Both teams are in search of their
first win