RELAX, GO FOR Burnet at Lampasas, 7:30 p.m.
Badgers look for stability, consistency - and a win
By JEREMY HEATH Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY DARRELL BROOKS

In the four weeks since Burnet gave Taylor a 58-12 Zero Week beating, the Bulldogs have been a near mirror image of the Lampasas team they'll face tonight at Badger Field.

They've been pretty good on defense and special teams, but have had some problems finishing drives and converting offensive possessions into touchdowns.

The Bulldogs (1-3 overall, 0-1 in District 25-4A) followed the win over Taylor with three straight home losses, falling 34-17 to Liberty Hill, 12-9 to Brownwood and 30-14 to Austin Lake Travis. The Lake Travis game was 30-0 headed into the fourth quarter.

"They're a lot like us," LHS Coach Ryan Bailey said of Burnet. "They're a good football team that has had some trouble getting everything together. I think the team that makes the fewest mistakes is going to win the game."

Mistakes contributed heavily to three of the Badgers' four losses. Key penalties cost LHS (0-4, 0-1) points in a 21-16 loss to Taylor and a 20-17 double overtime loss to Gatesville. Drive-stalling miscues peppered last week's 21-0 loss to Marble Falls.

Cole Ball (84) looks for a block from Jarrod Bowen on a kickoff return against Marble Falls.

"It's nerves. The kids just don't want to be the one who makes a mistake and lets their teammates down," Bailey said. "We just keep telling them to relax -- go for it. I want them to step up and say, 'I want to be the guy who makes a big play and helps my team.'"

The Bulldogs have a capable running back in Bubba Richards, and quarterback Kyle Brunson is a pocket passer who possesses the ability to make plays with his feet as well. Brunson's main target is wide receiver Jacob Myer, who has three touchdown receptions on the year.

Burnet's most recognized weapon, however, is kicker Ross Evans. Evans booted three field goals in the loss to Brownwood, and has connected on kicks of 53, 48 and 45 yards.

The undersized Badger defense is coming off two solid performances, allowing 223 yards to Gatesville and 274 to Marble Falls.

The front seven has been solid for the majority of each game, but a failure to win battles in time of possession has resulted in the defense wearing down late in games.

Offensively, Bailey has tried to utilize two different philosophies the past two weeks. On some series, he lines up senior quarterback/receiver Jarrod Bowen in the shotgun to give teams a run-first look. On others, he lines up sophomore Vann Millican in the shotgun, or occasionally under center, in a pass-first scheme.

Drive-killing mistakes that have allowed other teams to hold the ball for more time than the Badgers have had a circular effect and hampered the offense. With fewer snaps from scrimmage during the course of a game, there have been fewer opportunities to produce a sense of balance in the attack.

"We've proven we can move the ball," Bailey said. "But as soon as one little thing goes wrong (on a drive), they stop making their adjustments, stop trusting themselves to just go out and do what they've been coached to do."
The Matchup
Teams
Burnet (1-3, 0-1) at LHS (0-4, 0-1).
Last Week
Marble Falls defeated Lampasas, 21-0.
Austin Lake Travis defeated Burnet,
30-14.
Key Players
Lampasas: Linebackers Coleton
Lucas, Reese Vann and Stephen
Eskola; Defensive tackle Gabe
Sanchez; Receiver/quarterback
Jarrod Bowen; Running back Brode
DuBose; Receiver/punter Seth Fry.
Marble Falls: Kicker Ross Evans;
Running back Bubba Richards;
Receiver Jacob Myer.
At Stake
Each team is looking for its first
District 25-4A win.