PHOTOS BY GABE WOLF Head coach Ryan Bailey talks strategy with quarterback Vann Millican (4) during Wednesday's practice as offensive lineman Chris Thurman looks on. Millican's workload should increase tonight against Killeen after Astin Murray was injured last week. The hopes of posting a winning season are gone, but the Badgers still have one last thing to play for when they take the field tonight against Killeen: pride.

Lampasas is facing the possibility of posting a second consecutive winless season if it cannot claim a victory tonight in Badger Stadium or next week against the Hippos in Hutto.

Since 1960, Lampasas has not endured back-to-back 0-10 seasons. The closest call came between 1977 and 1978, when the Badgers went a combined 1-19 as members of District 12-3A under head coach Bob Smith.

While a win in its home finale would be sweet, two victories to cap off a difficult season would be twice as nice. And considering the underdog Badgers' expectations have been set rather high all season long, head coach Ryan Bailey sees no need to lower the bar now.

Junior Astin Murray adjusts an ice pack on his knee at Wednesday's practice after being diagnosed with a bone bruise. He is considered questionable for tonight's game. "They play with pride. This community can be proud of these kids," head coach Ryan Bailey said. "They keep working and trying to get that win.

"You can do nothing but respect a team like that."

Taking the first step toward their new goal and upsetting the Kangaroos (5-3, 2-2 district) will not be easy, however.

The Badgers most likely will play without quarterback Astin Murray, who suffered a bone bruise in his knee on the first play of last

week's 42-15 loss in

Marble Falls, forcing Bailey to hang his hopes on quarterbacks Seth Fry and Vann Millican.

The duo combined to complete 17 of 40 passes for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Millican did a majority of the heavy lifting, taking snaps for most of the second half and recording both scores.

Millican probably will start against Killeen, as Murray is questionable for the game.

Vann Millican takes a snap as he prepares to start tonight's home finale against the Killeen Kangaroos. Last week at Marble Falls, the junior completed 13-of-27 passes for 178 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "[Millican] needs to look at the whole picture and then zero it down," Bailey said. "I thought he did a much better job of narrowing the field down last week.

"He did everything we asked him to do [against Marble Falls]."

In addition to getting solid play from their quart erbacks, another key to the Badgers' success will be striking early against the Roos. In its four district losses, Lampasas has been outscored 106- 12 in the first half.

"We've got to find a way to put four quarters together," Bailey said. "That's all we've talked about.

"We have to get rid of the nerves and jitters, and get the speed of the game down quicker. That's the bottom line."

Killeen fields one of the worst defenses in the district, allowing 230 points on the season. Despite its offensive production over the past two weeks, the Roos possess the fifth-worst offense, posting just 204 points.

Against Hutto and Marble Falls, however, they had no difficulty reaching the end zone.

Prior to knocking off the Hippos 49-35 last week, Killeen defeated the Mustangs 41-35 in overtime.

The Roos took advantage of a superior ground attack in the victories with running back Jaquail Haskins leading the way. Haskins totaled 299 of the team's 596 rushing yards and tallied three touchdowns during the two games.

Lampasas has given up at least 237 rushing yards in three of its four district losses.

"Their offensive line is absolutely monstrous," Bailey said. "We're going to do some things differently up front to give our little, quick guys a chance to get by."

The Matchup

Teams

Lampasas (0-8, 0-4 district) v. Killeen (5-3, 2-2)

Last Week

Lampasas lost to Marble Falls 42-15

Killeen beat Hutto 49-35

Key Players

Lampasas: Linebackers Rush Seaver, Kacey Tucker; Defensive line Gabe Sanchez; Defensive End Cory Summers; Receivers Jonathan VanLiew, Cole Ball; Quarterbacks Seth Fry, Vann Millican; Running backs Gabe Terrell, Ronnie Branch, Brode DuBose.

Killeen: Running backs Jaquail Haskins, Marcus Tillman; Quarterback Michael Cummings; Receivers Ja'corie Baker, Dane Beasley, Rodney Brown.

At Stake

Lampasas looks to win its first game and snap an 18-game losing streak in the team's final home contest of the season. Killeen tries to keep their playoff hopes alive, needing a victory to increase its chances.