The Badgers hope it is all out of their systems.

In the first true competition of its season, Lampasas hosted Smithville for a scrimmage Saturday evening and, although it did not count on their record, had some disappointing moments, including the finish.

After altering series of plays for almost an hour, the Tigers and Badgers faced off in a live quarter, giving Lampasas its first action against another opponent since Austin McCallum eliminated it from the bi-district round of the playoffs last year.

While there were highlights to be found during the middle portion of the live quarter, the beginning and the end were not what the team hoped for.

On their first play from scrimmage, the Badgers turned the ball over on a fumble, but quickly regained possession after the defense forced the Tigers to punt with 9:41 remaining.

This time Lampasas’ running backs kept the ball securely in their grasps and marched to Smithville’s 36-yard line before turning the ball over on downs after failing to convert a fourth-and-six situation.

Left: Junior Secody Howard attempts to break the grasp of a Smithville defender during the Badgers’ home scrimmage against the Tigers Saturday night. Howard scored Lampasas’ lone touchdown during the live quarter that concluded the evening. Above: A pair of defenders collapse on a Smithville player. PHOTOS BY RICHARD AKRIDGE Luckily, the Badgers’ defense was on point and pounced after the Tigers quarterback and running back fumbled the handoff exchange on the series’ second play.

In total, Smithville held the ball for less than two minutes during their first three possessions.

With excellent field position, beginning at the Tigers’ 33-yard line, junior full back Secody Howard broke free for a tackle-breaking run punctuated with a stiff arm before ending at the 10-yard line.

The Badgers’ kicker prepares to tack on the team’s only extra point of the evening’s livequarter scrimmage. Three plays later, the Badgers capitalized on the first-and-goal as Howard scored a three-yard touchdown. The extra point put Lampasas ahead 7-0 with 4:02 remaining.

With the outcome on the line, the Tigers began working their way down the field. Smithville collected five first downs en route to reaching Lampasas’ goal line.

On first and goal from the oneyard line, the Badgers’ defense held their ground and denied the Tigers’ running back from breaking through for the touchdown.

Smithville then called timeout with one second remaining in the scrimmage in an attempt to put together a game-winning play.

And they did.

As time expired, the Tigers’ quarterback found a receiver standing all alone in the front, right corner of the end zone and delivered a perfect pass to complete the drive.

The squads settled for a tie after Smithville converted the extra-point attempt.

While Howard scored the Badgers’ lone touchdown of the scrimmage’s live quarter, running backs Justin Maldonado and Julian DelaCruz also showed plenty of potential to thrive in Lampasas’ ground-based slot-T offense.

The Badgers gained all 66 of their offensive yards on the ground and only attempted one pass during the 12-minute quarter.

Along with others, the trio of runners will attempt to replace the voids left behind by Edward Hall and Brode DuBose who both graduated. Hall was a District 25-4A All-District First Team member, and DuBose finished the season as a second team running back.

The Badgers’ final scrimmage will be at Waco Connally Friday evening beginning at 7 p.m.

The freshmen will play first at 5 p.m. with the junior varsity teams following at 6 p.m.

Lampasas opens its season August 27 at Manor, while the subvarsity teams begin their 2010 campaigns at home versus Manor on August 26.