PHOTOS BY GABE WOLF (Above) Junior varsity player Joshua Woods was the unlucky recipient of a gang tackle as the Badgers' first-team defense spent Wednesday's practice working on correcting mistakes made last week against Manor. In the fourth quarter of last Friday's loss against Manor, the Badgers ran out of time.

They ran out of steam, too.

Head coach Ryan Bailey will never be able to turn back the hands of time, but he can take measures to ensure his varsity squad has enough endurance to finish games. That is why improving the team's overall stamina and conditioning is top priority for the Lampasas coaching staff.

"The kids realize they got pretty close against a good football team, and their whole focus this week is to finish," Bailey said. "We're good enough to play with people now, and they are starting to see that, but we have to put four quarters together."

Against the Mustangs, Lampasas never trailed until less than a minute remained in the game. If the Badgers were equipped with better endurance, they might have celebrated their first victory in over a year. Instead, their losing streak extends to 11 games, going back to last season.

(Left) Senior free safety Seth Fry (19) extends in mid-leap to deflect a pass as Lampasas prepares for its second game of the season against Rockdale tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tonight, the players, coaches and fans get to see if the week of conditioning pays off when Lampasas hosts the Rockdale Tigers at 7:30 p.m. at Badger Stadium.

Of course, the fourth-quarter conditioning program could be all for naught if the Badger defense cannot stop Rockdale's senior running back Cois Walker during the first three periods.

Last week against Llano, Walker ran for 235 yards and four touchdowns -- two spanning at least 62 yards — on 21 carries. The performance earned Walker a spot among nine other candidates on the list for Dick's Sporting Goods Player of the Week.

After breaking down the scouting videos on Rockdale, Bailey developed a plan to stop the explosive rusher, but it is going to require a group effort.

(Bottom) Badgers' defensive coordinator Jimmy Randolph gives instructions to his squad. The Lampasas defense will be responsible for stopping Tigers' senior running back Cois Walker who ran for 235 yards and four touchdowns against Llano last week. "On film, every one he has broken has been a wide-open hole, so we have to make sure we have our gaps and areas covered on defense," the coach said. "If we can get in front of him and slow him down, he'll stop his feet and try to figure out where to go. At that point, if we get five, six or seven guys on the tackle then we'll be all right."

On offense, the Badgers will look to take advantage of their speed along the edges of the field by giving the ball to swift skill players like Aaron Reyna, Edward Grant and Jonathan VanLiew.

Much of the team's offensive success will hinge on quarterback Vann Millican's ability to bounce back from last week's disappointing performance and deliver the ball accurately. Against Manor, the junior completed only four of 18 passes for 22 yards.

"He's come back this week, and he's worked really hard to get all the little things corrected," Bailey said. "Coach [Clinton] Burns is really working hard to get him to settle down and focus on exactly where to put the football.

"We've got some different passing plays this week because they play a little different secondary coverage, and it's going to be a bit easier for what Vann likes to do. He should have a better game this week."

Part of the reason Millican struggled against the Mustangs was due to the field itself, which was higher in the middle and sloped toward the sidelines. It caused his passes to sail several feet above the intended targets.

Against Rockdale, the level field at Badger Stadium should benefit Millican's precision, while the home crowd in the stands should boost the team's overall energy.

"They've talked about this moment [playing at home] for a long time," Bailey said. "The seniors realize this [season] is their last time to play at home, and they're excited. These kids around here really enjoy playing at Badger Stadium."

The Matchup

Teams Rockdale (1-0) at Lampasas (0-1)

Last Week

Lampasas lost to Manor 20-13

Rockdale defeated Llano 39-33

Key Players

Lampasas: Linebackers Gabriel Sanchez, Rush Seaver, Kacey Tucker; Cornerbacks Adrian Castillo, Jeffery Arevalo; Receivers Jonathan VanLiew; Quarterback Vann Millican; Running backs Edward Grant, Brode DuBose, Aaron Reyna.

Rockdale: Quarterback Mark Drake; Running back Cois Walker; Receiver Joe Sanders; Defensive tackle Logan David; Linebacker Nic Hammett.

At Stake

Lampasas tries to snap an 11-game losing streak in its first home game of the 2008 season.