PHOTO BY GABE WOLF Justin Maldonado breaks free for a few yards during the freshmen white team's last-minute loss to Hendrickson. The Hawks scored a touchdown with 28 seconds remaining in the game, claiming a 24-20 victory over Lampasas at Badger Stadium. The Badgers' freshmen Blue team saw a 20-6 halftime lead almost vanish entirely before edging out a two-point victory over Hendrickson last Thursday.

Quarterback Hunter Stephens scored the first touchdown of the day on a keeper play from two yards out in the first quarter, but after being penalized five yards on the extra point attempt, the Badgers' kick was blocked, leaving the score 6-0.

A little over a minute into the second quarter, the Hawks LeDetrick Marion answered, returning a punt 62 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful and the score remained tied.

Devonta Fraizer reached the end zone on a first-and-goal situation from 11 yards out, and Stephens connected with Gabe Myles for the two-point conversion, giving the Badgers a 14-6 lead with 5:19 remaining in the half.

After forcing a three-and-out, Lampasas needed just two plays to complete a 62-yard drive as Fraizer broke free on a 60-yard touchdown run. Once again, the two-point attempt failed, leaving the Badgers with a 14-point lead at halftime.

Hendrickson scored two rushing touchdowns within the first three minutes of the third quarter, making the score 20-18 after failing to convert either two-point attempt.

The remainder of the game was a defensive battle, and the Badgers escaped with the narrow victory.

Lampasas' freshmen White team received an impressive performance from Brandon Scott who scored all three of the Badgers' touchdowns before the Hawks scored with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game to steal a 24- 20 victory at Badger Stadium.

After falling behind 6-0, Scott punched in his first score of the evening on a one-yard run just before halftime, but the score remained tied after the two-point conversion failed.

Just 24 seconds into the third quarter, Scott struck again on a 35- yard option keeper play. Justin Maldonado increased the lead to 14-6 when he ran in the two-point conversion.

Following another Hendrickson touchdown from Daje Johnson, Scott found the end zone once again, building a 20-12 advantage after both teams' two-point tries came up short.

Johnson broke free from nine yards out for his second touchdown, cutting the Badgers' lead to just two points at 20-18 with 5:07 remaining in the third quarter.

Then with 28 seconds left in the game, Gabriel Whitman found Will Ward in front right corner of the end zone for the game-winning score and despite failing to convert either of its final pair of two-point conversions, Hendrickson escaped with a 24-20 victory.

The junior varsity team tallied 39 more total yards (220-181) than Hendrickson, but could not overcome a barrage of penalties and fell 20-7.

On Thursday, Lampasas' freshmen travel to Lake Travis, while the junior varsity squad hosts the Cavaliers at Badger Stadium.