Last Chance to Grab Victory
Badgers close 2007 season tonight
By JEREMY HEATH Staff Writer

Senior receiver Jarrod Bowen comes down with a reception against Vista Ridge. Bowen will see snaps at receiver and quarterback tonight.

Both Lampasas and Dripping Springs were eliminated mathematically from playoff contention three weeks ago.

Because of that, pride and a vault out of the District 25-4A cellar are the only things at stake tonight when the Badgers (0-9, 0-6) play host to the Tigers (2-7, 0-6).

The Badgers are coming off a 42- 0 road loss at the hands of Cedar Park Vista Ridge. The Tigers lost 42-7 at home against Burnet last week.

Dripping Springs goes as senior quarterback Jordan Moore goes. Moore, who has missed time because of a head injury, has thrown for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns to 11 interceptions. He also has run for 297 yards and six touchdowns. Moore played last week against Burnet but was limited to punting duties.

"The key is stopping No. 10 (Moore)," LHS head coach Ryan Bailey said. "He's been hurt, but he's the key to their offense -- both passing and running. He's not on the level of some of the other quarterbacks in the district, but he's a good little football player."

Top right: Sophomore running back Brode DuBose ran for 26 yards last week. Above: The Lampasas defense gave up more than 360 rushing yards against Cedar Park Vista Ridge. Left: Junior Ryan Abbott tries to get in behind a block from DuBose in last week's 42-0 loss. The Badgers will try to close out the season with their first win of the year tonight.

The Tigers also boast a capable running back and a couple of potentially explosive receivers.

Running back Garrett Medcalf has rushed for 464 yards and a touchdown on the year. Andy Wolfe has caught 33 passes for 530 yards and two touchdowns, and Bill Daniels has caught 32 for 445 yards and three scores.

The Badgers will attempt to slow down that offense with a wounded group of linebackers. Coleton Lucas, who has played the last month with knee and ankle injuries, Stephen Eskola and Reese Vann probably will start, although Lucas' status is not certain.

"Coleton has been a one-legged wonder for us the last four weeks," Bailey said. "He wants to play, but we'll have to evaluate him on Friday."

Vista Ridge held the Badgers' offense to 104 total yards. LHS gained 48 yards on the ground and 56 in the air.

"Offensively, the key is to just execute," said Bailey. "We can't go out there and drop passes on fourth down or pick up costly penalties. We've got to be accountable and make things happen for ourselves."

Sophomore quarterback Vann Millican will play tonight, but senior receiver Jarrod Bowen will probably take the majority of the snaps in an attempt to ignite the running game.

"We're going to try to run a lot of stuff with Bowen," Bailey said. "I think that (Blue) formation will allow us to do a lot more of what we want to do matchup-wise."

The Matchup

Teams

Dripping Springs (2-7, 0-6) at Lampasas (0-9, 0-6).

Last Week

Cedar Park Vista Ridge beat Lampasas, 42-0. Burnet beat Dripping Springs, 42-3. Key Players

Lampasas: Linebackers Stephen Eskola and Coleton Lucas; Defensive tackle Jesse Tobar; Defensive back Jeremy Brown; Receiver/quarterback Jarrod Bowen; Running back Brode DuBose.

Dripping Springs: Quarterback Jordan Moore; Running back Garrett Medcalf; Wide receivers Andy Wolfe and Bill Daniels.

At Stake

The winner claims sole possession of seventh place in District 25-4A. The loser finishes eighth.