Above: Senior linebacker Kacey Tucker tries to pull down Rockdale running back Greg Cheif during Friday night's loss to the Tigers. Right: Defensive back Skylar David (30) receives a stiff-arm from Badgers' receiver Seth Fry as he advances the ball. It only took a five-minute span in the second quarter for the game to get away from the Badgers on Friday night.

After Lampasas' defense played nearly flawless football in the first quarter -- allowing Rockdale to run just nine offensive plays in three series -- the Tigers struck for two quick scores in the second, providing the cushion needed to hold on for a 21-7 victory at Badger Stadium.

With 6:03 remaining in the first half, Rockdale running back Cois Walker capped off a 12-play, 89- yard drive by pounding his way into the end zone from two yards out. A little more than two minutes later, after Lampasas turned the ball over on downs, the Tigers scored again when quarterback Mark Drake called his own number, scoring on a three-yard run.

"Our kids played hard, and they did exactly what we asked them to do [on defense]," defensive coordinator Jimmy Randolph said. "We just bent a little bit."

PHOTOS BY GABE WOLF The Badgers missed an opportunity to get back into the game on the first series of the second half when Edward Grant was stopped for a loss on a fourth-and-one play from the Rockdale 5-yard line.

"I made a bad call at the goal line, and I should have let [offensive coordinator Justin] Marcellus call it, and it would have been 14-7," Bailey said. "I'll take that one."

Lampasas stepped up again on defense during the following possession when Jonathan VanLiew intercepted a pass to end Rockdale's drive.

However, less than two minutes later, the Tigers had the ball once again after Lampasas could not convert on a fourth-and-five situation. Rockdale answered by taking the ball 55 yards, scoring on a threeyard Greg Cheif carry.

Badger quarterback Vann Millican opened the next series by connecting with Cole Ball on a 60- yard pass to advance the ball to the 2-yard line. The play set up a Grant touchdown, and the point after was good, which made the score 21-7 with 3:12 remaining in the game. The Tigers earned a first down after the kickoff, and they kneeled on the ball twice to run out the clock.

Above: Tigers' running back Cois Walker (5) is sent flying after a hit from Seth Fry. Walker rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown during Rockdale's 21-7 victory at Badger Stadium. Below: Anxious fans await the descent of t-shirts launched airborne by Badger cheerleaders. "Getting our offense to gel is going to be the key," Bailey said. "Our defense is playing well. Once we get it going on both sides, we'll be all right."

Millican struggled for much of the game, completing just five-of- 13 passes for 95 yards with just under two-thirds of his total offense coming on the 60-yard bomb to Ball.

However, Bailey was pleased with his quarterback's performance.

"He threw the ball well, he put it in the right places, and he controlled the offense well," Bailey said. "He made some good audibles for us, and I'm proud of Vann. He stepped up this week."

PHOTOS BY GABE WOLF Bailey's ball carriers also answered the call. Led by Grant's 63 yards, the Badgers' ground game accounted for 139 yards.

Unfortunately, it was the Tigers' rushing attack that was the difference in the contest, with 213 yards and three scores.

Walker tallied 123 yards on 20 carries, and Cheif gave the Badgers' defense fits in the second half by rushing for all of his 72 yards.

"[Cheif] caught us over-pursuing a lot of times," Randolph said. "He could cut on a dime and take it out the back door, and that gave us some trouble. We had to adjust to what he was doing, and it softened our edge a little bit."

Defensively, the Badgers were led by Kacey Tucker who accounted for five solo tackles, assisted on seven and forced a fumble. Rush Seaver assisted on 10 tackles.

The Badgers' junior varsity game against Rockdale Thursday ended early due to an injury to a Tigers player.

With Lampasas leading 10-6 and only 2:36 remaining in the game, Henry Lopez suffered an undisclosed injury, requiring helicopter transportation to the hospital.

Both teams prayed and waited anxiously during a 30-minute span as technicians prepared Lopez for aerial transportation.

On Friday, Lampasas officials were informed Lopez was in good condition.

The Badgers' offense posted 196 yards on the ground before the game was prematurely ended. Colton Perkins, Ryan Peter, Blaine White, Tanner Mobely, Josh Woods and Skyler Karcher all contributed to the Lampasas rushing attack with Perkins turning a fourth-andfour situation from Rockdale's 41- yard line into the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The freshman squad lost to Rockdale 32-20, falling to 0-1-1 on the season after tying Manor in last week's season opener.

Justin Maldonado scored twice on runs of 35 and 50 yards.

The Badgers' other score came on a 40-yard pass from Tanner Swinford to Brandon Scott.

Scott also recorded an interception in the loss.