LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD Fall Sports lampasasdispatchrecord.com Preview FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 B2 Season starts with three Top-15 opponents

BY JEFF LOWE DISPATCH RECORD

The Badgers’ non-district schedule should be their toughest in years, based on the opposing teams’ history. Below is a preview of each team and a recap of their 2019 performance.

Aug. 28 vs. Brownwood Preseason No. 15 in 4A Div. I Record: 11-2 last year Brownwood, the Badgers’ first opponent, has seven state titles -- tied for the second- most in public high school history. The Lions’ 46 playoff appearances include a third-round trip in 2019. They ended the season at 11-2, losing to Argyle in the regional quarterfinals. They start this season at No. 15 in Dave Campbell’s state rankings. Brownwood relied heavily on defense last year and held FILE PHOTO opponents to an average of 14.6 points per game. Badger all-state linebacker Case Brister (15) earns one of his two safeties in the Burnet game last year. Owen Seaver (50) assists with defensive pressure. The Lions will compete in Matthew Tippie (5), shown as Burnet quarterback last year, now has transferred to Wimberley, a non-district opponent of the Badgers. one of the toughest districts in Texas, with state runner-up playmaking in 2019, with by Steven Jazdyk. Lampasas 4A Div. I Top current Stephenville included one to state runner- La Vega, plus Stephenville, two fumble recoveries and beat Brownwood 61-56, and Record: 6-5 last year players include running back up La Vega, two against Midlothian Heritage, Alvarado an interception. He is back Jazdyk later competed for Stephenville, like Kason Phillips, who has 4.5 semifinalist Argyle, and and Waxahachie Life. this year as a cornerback/ the Oklahoma Sooner track Brownwood, is another 40-yard speed. Phillips had against playoff qualifiers Players to watch include receiver. team. tradition-rich program. more than 1,100 yards last Brownwood and Midlothian Royshad Henderson, who had Lampasas and Brownwood In another classic game, in Two recent Yellow Jackets year. Heritage. just 33 carries last year but have a history of down-to- 2004, Brownwood delivered have signed with the New Safety/receiver Grayson There is no record of averaged more than seven the-wire finishes. a 19-15 heartbreaker to England Patriots, including Traweek had four Lampasas and Stephenville yards per carry. Their last meeting came the underdog Badgers in a quarterback Jarrett Stidham. interceptions in 2019, and meeting in varsity football in Free safety/wide receiver in 2013, when the Badgers crucial district game. As of last spring, Stidham linebacker Colton Accomazzo the recent decades. Khyren Deal is back after a earned their only district was No. 1 on the Patriots’ recorded 199 tackles. Before posting average 100-tackle season last year. win of the season with a Sept. 4 at Stephenville depth chart for the spot Stephenville went 6-5 Dane Johnson showed clutch six-touchdown performance Preseason No. 11 in vacated by Tom Brady. last year, but those losses SEE NON-DISTRICT, PAGE B11

On the cover...

An action shot of senior quarterback Ace Whitehead is imposed on a background with the water tower on FM 580 West, which was lighted blue for the first time last December before the regional finals.

Also pictured on the cover are Lady Badger team captain Skylor Poole, multi-sport returning letterman Abby Valdez and cross country runner

Ben Stone.

Cover design by Trish Griffith.

Photos by Jeff Lowe. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 Fall Sportslampasasdispatchrecord.com Preview LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD B3 District 6-4A volleyball alignment Volleyball team heavy on upperclassmen *Stephenville * Stephenville was No. 2 in Brownwood the Texas Girls Coaches Gatesville Association state rankings Glen Rose at press time, with a 10-0 despite losing key all-district players Lampasas record.

BY JEFF LOWE a senior players to graduation last DISPATCH RECORD setter and year, including first-team third-year all-district outside hitter Varsity roster Volleyball team captain varsity Emma Cornish and second- Skylor Poole said a positive player team all-district libero 1 Tatum Linney Jr. mindset will be one of the who has Brooklynne Edgar. Lady Badgers’ driving competed Laurcy Bender is back 2 Kharis Castañeda Jr. forces this year. for after earning honorable After a tough first Lampasas mention all-district honors 3 Lina Cummins Jr. week and a half, the Lady since as a sophomore. Badgers earned their first middle Poole said her time in Skylor Poole win in a five-set match at school. the program has taught 4 Ethni Sanchez Jr. Early on Saturday. Poole is The team lost several key her “how to keep a positive attitude and not be so hard 6 Socoya Summers Sr. on myself.” As a fall sport, volleyball 7 Allison Bertrand Jr. was not affected as directly by school cancellations as spring sports were. 8 Gracey Ullevig Soph. “During the summer we still were able to get a good 9 Cobie Chandler Jr. amount of work in, so I don’t think a whole lot’s 10 Laurcy Bender Jr. changed,” Poole said. But the whole COVID-19 situation has taught her 11 Madison Roedler Soph. to appreciate opportunity while it is there. 14 Skylor Poole Sr. “I was expecting that in the summer too, so I was 15 Morgan Lovejoy Soph. just trying to show up as much as I could just in case [a shutdown] does happen, *Brandi Straley Sr. so we can still get the experience while we can,” *Rachel Myles Sr. she said. “It’s still kind of in the air.” * number unavailable at At press time, the Lady Badgers were 1-7, but one press time. loss came against No. 8 Salado. They also took the offensive attack, and a road match at Taylor that player is often the to four sets, and Aug. 21 assist leader on the team. saw one of their closest Poole said some of the key three-set losses of the factors in her position are season, which came against situational awareness and Johnson City. knowing who to pass to. Opponents in week one -- Lampasas will host Salado and Taylor -- “were Cameron at 6 p.m. on Aug. 28. some of our tougher games last season,” Poole said. “We’re definitely playing JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD a lot better against those teams.” Laurcy Bender, a junior, is the Lady Badgers’ lone returning all- A setter’s main district player, after earning honorable mention in 2019. responsibility is setting up LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD Fall Sports lampasasdispatchrecord.com Preview FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 B4 Ace Whitehead’s career one for the record books

BY JEFF LOWE DISPATCH RECORD

Ace Whitehead’s high school career could go down as the most successful in Badger football history, if his senior year is anything like his junior season. Even all the Lampasas Hall of Famers who became college and pro stars did not have a high school season quite like Whitehead and the Badgers had in 2019. On their way to the second state quarterfinal trip in team history, the Badgers (13-2) scored 777 points last year. Whitehead started at quarterback and placekicker for the third year in a row. He reached 9,555 career passing yards and 110 career passing touchdowns, and he set single-season school records of 54 touchdowns and 4,259 yards in the air. Whitehead has verbally committed to The University JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD of Texas for . At the Ace Whitehead high-fives one of his biggest fans, Hayes JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD start of two-a-days this year, Naragon, as the Badgers celebrate the 2019 bi-district title. Whitehead runs against the Fredericksburg defense in the district championship game. he was not sure if he would play football in college, too. the guys [who are] in the He has been a three-sport senior class this year. We just letterman since his freshman formed a bond and made it year, he has earned silver really fun and exciting.” at the state track meet, and The Badgers’ ultimate he was pitcher/outfielder/ dream of a state leadoff hitter for the Badger championship looked baseball team last spring. legitimately within reach He enters his senior season last season for the first time with 36 varsity starts at in many years. There is no quarterback. In Whitehead’s question that the goal is in first varsity game as a their minds in 2020. freshman in 2017, he did not “We set our goal to play start. He had been one of 16 games and win all of three players contending for them, but we have to meet the starting QB job after the the smaller goals in order previous three-year starter to make that happen: not Cohen Cockburn graduated. turning the ball over, Cameron Everts and winning the turnover Ethan Rascoe also had been battle on defense, winning in the mix as head coach the special teams battle,” Troy Rogers evaluated who Whitehead said. would be his next starting The Badgers’ regular- quarterback. season record of 9-1 last fall Whitehead took the tied the team’s performance field partway through in 2011 -- another season that the 2017 season opener influenced Whitehead. at Fredericksburg and “I looked up to Brandon completed 19 of 27 passes for Scott whenever I was real 211 yards and one touchdown. little,” he said. Scott was Everts and Rascoe went quarterback of the 2011 on to finish as three-year Badger team that won lettermen in separate district with their slot-T positions on the Badgers’ state semifinal team, but neither stayed at the SEE QB, PAGE B5 quarterback position after Whitehead’s debut. Now Whitehead’s name is known throughout Texas among devoted followers of high school football. He is Dave Campbell’s pre-season Offensive Player of the Year and was a nominee for 2019 Built Ford Tough Player of the Year. Whitehead’s rise to the top ranks of Texas quarterbacks has not been an overnight success, though. “When he was 2 or 3 years old he was going to games …,” his father, Kirk Whitehead, said. “We had tickets to Texas games, and he went with me.” The Whitehead gridiron tradition started with Ace’s grandfather Mike and his great-uncle Ronnie, who both were coaches. Mike Whitehead coached at several schools including Lometa, West, Meridian and Wink. He led athletes to nine individual state championships in track and field, and made two state quarterfinal appearances with the West Trojans. His Wink Wildcats team that included his son Kirk reached the state semifinals. Kirk Whitehead remembers a 1983 playoff game in Monahans, played in a temperature of around 18 degrees with a typical West Texas wind blowing close to 25-30 mph. With that kind of tradition in the family, it’s not surprising that about 40 family members went to Ace’s regional semifinal game last year in the Alamodome against Needville. The Badger senior said the connection to football “was always kind of there, just because my dad was always taking me to games and throwing the ball with me. But I don’t think I really started loving football till sixth grade. That’s whenever I got to play with some of FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 Fall Sportslampasasdispatchrecord.com Preview LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD B5 QB ‘a natural leader’ since junior high Whitehead’s records and stats 9,555 career passing yards* Career long: 99 1/2 yard touchdown pass FROM PAGE B4 and do great things at the I was the top 10% of the (at Lorena in 2017)* high school, and his future is lowest 10%.” 110 career passing touchdowns* offense under former coach bright.” The Badgers are scheduled Total yards in career: 10,749 Joey McQueeen. “Obviously One thing Lampasas to take the field for the 54 single-season passing touchdowns* they ran a different offense.” always has had is fan regular-season opener at 4,259 single-season passing yards* But Scott “had a lot of support. Whitehead is proud home Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. * = confirmed school record toughness about him, and to represent not only his against Brownwood. he was a ball player …,” school but also his town. Whitehead said. “I can “Absolutely. When you remember wanting to possess grow up in Lampasas you some of the abilities that he grow up and you learn how had.” to be tough,” he said. “You Scott and the 2011 squad learn how to work hard and were the only winning team be respectful and just love the Badgers had between 2004 one another. Growing up in and Whitehead’s sophomore this town has taught me a season in 2018. lot. It’s made me the person I The drive to prove am today, and it helps me out themselves and earn the tremendously on the football respect of opponents pushed field.” this group of Badgers Whitehead doesn’t focus through their earlier years. much on individual records A few years ago, “nobody and for the ones he does really expected much out receive, he’ll be the first of our football program, to direct credit toward his and so that was frustrating teammates and coaches. …,” Whitehead said. “That “Those [records] are always provided a lot of motivation. exciting … Individual records Growing up, there were some are good, but even a passing tough times that we had to record can’t be set without push through.” the receivers and linemen Brandon Scott’s father, blocking.” Warren Scott, was Whitehead has stayed even- Whitehead’s coach in keeled through a growing middle school. amount of media attention by “Ace was a natural “just knowing that nothing’s leader, not by voice, but his possible without your teammates as well as friends teammates and your brothers naturally gravitated towards and the coaches.” him,” coach Scott said. “He In the preseason, did not let pressure affect his Whitehead was listed at performance on the football 5’11”, 183 pounds. His 36-inch field. I remember one game vertical is the highest on the he came off the field and we team, and his 4.5 time in the discussed fantasy football, 40-yard dash is the second- not in depth, but we talked fastest. about a few players. Then he His year-round, multi- went back on the field and sport competition was drove the team down the field interrupted only by for a touchdown. The team quarantine mandates only lost one game that year, in the early spring, but and that was to La Vega.” Whitehead stayed busy Whitehead “has been one through the summer in of the most coachable kids select baseball. He also is I have ever got a chance to in the Top 10% of his class be associated with,” Scott academically, and his dad added. “I knew he was a is quick to point out: “He special talent and would go didn’t get that part from me. Fall Sports Preview B6 LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD lampasasdispatchrecord.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 RB Jerome embodies Badgers’ blue-collar work ethic

BY JEFF LOWE when he was 12 years DISPATCH RECORD old all summer to buy a $1,500 rifle he Lampasas head wanted.” football coach Troy So he naturally fits Rogers often talks in with Rogers’ tough, about the blue-collar physical, goal-driven work ethic that defines regimen. his hometown team, Jerome started his which he has coached first varsity game since 2016. as a sophomore and That work ethic is a within a few weeks way of life for senior he ran for 176 yards running back Jack against the No. 10 Jerome. When he’s not team, La Vernia. He jumping over tacklers finished that season in a 1,400-rushing- with 1,440 yards and yard season, he’s 12 touchdowns. As a spending his summers junior last year, he hauling hay or cutting rushed for 1,421 yards firewood. And in the and 12 touchdowns. winter, he competes in “This year in my powerlifting as one of opinion I think we the strongest pound- have an even better for-pound athletes in team,” Jerome said. Lampasas. “No disrespect to last As far back as he year’s team, but it’s can remember, Jerome definitely different. has understood that to We’re gonna attack the accomplish anything ball in different ways.” he wanted, it takes Jerome is listed at effort. 5’8.” Last fall he was “I guess I was 5’5”, but he constantly raised that way from powered through and a pretty young age,” over much bigger the running back defenders. said. “If I wanted to “I’ve always been get something when undersized, but I I was really little, never looked at it as a my dad and my mom disadvantage,” he said. would tell me to load “I looked at it as more the dishwasher or of an opportunity. something, do a chore. I’ve heard people say As the stuff you want you’re too small to do gets more expensive, if anything at this game, you want it you’ve got and I just use that to to work for it.” motivate me.” COURTESY PHOTO “He's always been Running backs’ FILE PHOTO Jack Jerome says he learned at an early age to work that way,” his mother, coach John Rogers has Jack Jerome hurdles over the state’s leading 4A Division I tackler at the time, Chuma Jerome, said. for anything he wanted, and he has spent much of his Brazosport’s Kevin Davis. “He mowed lawns SEE JEROME, PAGE B7 summers hauling hay or cutting firewood. Fall Sports Preview FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 lampasasdispatchrecord.com LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD B7 Hornets have several returners; tough district awaits Lometa head coach D.T. as his main quarterback, Acevedo “does a great job Torres is entering his although several players of playing single high safety,” seventh year at his alma rotated in during the and makes “really good form mater. scrimmages. tackles. He’s one of our better Two scrimmages on the Workmon is one of the tacklers,” the coach said. road last Friday went well, Hornets’ top receiving Cline is a senior entering giving the Hornets hope that threats. his fourth year on varsity. they will bounce back from “He’s tall, lanky, very His versatility has allowed last year’s 3-7 season. athletic,” Torres said. “We got him to play some at receiver, Lometa scrimmaged him the ball 3-4 times [in the cornerback, safety and Gordon on the Longhorns’ scrimmage] for big chunks of quarterback. home field, and the Hornets yardage.” The Hornets will base out were outscored two Jaimes plays where he is of a diamond spread offense. touchdowns to one. There needed on offense, but what Their district is the same were no special teams plays. really stands out is “he sets as last year. Jonesboro is Gordon is ranked No. 8 the tone defensively,” Torres the team to beat after going in the preseason, and the said. “He’s relentless [and] 12-2 in 2019 and starting this Longhorns are defending does a really great job of year with an incredibly high district champs. pursuing the ball.” turnout of 30 players. The same day, Lometa outscored Stephenville Faith three touchdowns to one in a scrimmage. Stephenville Faith went 6-4 last year, competing in the TAIAO Division 2 North. The Hornets’ returning lettermen include Enrique Prado, Corbin Cline, Dyllen Workmon, Luis Acevedo and Francisco Jaimes. Torres described the key role of each of these seasoned players. Prado “has been a good player for us. He’s a great competitor overall in everything he’s done for the Lometa Hornets. Cross country, track, , football, … He’s our leader as of right now, throws a great ball. He kind of directs the offense.” Heading into the week of the season opener, Torres JESSICA MALDONADO | LOMETA ISD was leaning toward Prado Enrique Prado rolls out of the pocket in a scrimmage.

Hornets’ 2020 varsity schedule Date Opponent Time 2019 head-to-head results and record Aug. 28 at Lingleville 7:30 p.m. Hornets W 34-13. Lingleville went 5-5. Sept. 3 vs. Cherokee 7:30 p.m. Did not meet...Cherokee went 2-8. Sept. 11 vs. Buckholts 7:30 p.m. Did not meet...Buckholts went 3-7. Sept. 18 vs. Cranfills Gap 7:30 p.m. Did not meet...Cranfills Gap entw 9-3. Sept. 25 at Rochelle 7:30 p.m. Did not meet...Rochelle went 8-3. (Rochelle is No. 18 in Dave Campbell’s preseason 1A Div. II rankings.) Oct. 2 vs. Iredell 7:30 p.m. Did not meet...Iredell finished 1-9. Oct. 9 at Paint Rock 7:30 p.m. Did not meet...Paint Rock: 3-7 last year. Oct. 23 vs. Evant 7:30 p.m. Evant W 50-0 and finished 5-5. Oct. 30 vs. *Jonesboro 7:30 p.m. Jonesboro W 60-10 and finished 12-2. (The Eagles are the preseason No. 2 team in 1A Div. I.) Nov. 6 at Zephyr 7:30 p.m. Zephyr W 33-22 and finished 4-7. Bold: district game Jerome: Badgers’ top rusher since 2018 FROM PAGE B7 “it would be too many to list.” But the first players in his mind were “the whole offensive taught Jerome to see down field better. line.” “Before he started working with me I He also expects senior receiver Lane was just a full-speed, eyes closed, run up Haviland to make a big impact. the middle type guy, and he’s taught me to “He’s going crazy this year,” Jerome said. use my vision,” Jerome said. “And I feel like Although he does not have plans officially that’s really unlocked a lot more opportunity lined out with any college team, Jerome said and made me a way better back than I used if the right offer comes along, “I’d love to play to be.” in college. There’s nothing I’d rather do. But When he was asked about other underrated if not, then [I will] probably work somewhere teammates who play a key role, Jerome said in construction or some sort of trade.”

PRATUS INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. Fall Sports Preview B8 LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD lampasasdispatchrecord.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 Dave Campbell’s 4A Div. I preseason football rankings and 2019 records

1. La Vega 14-2 11. Stephenville 6-5 16. Kennedale 7-4 21. Andrews 11-2

2. Argyle 13-1 12. Midlothian Heritage 9-5 17. Needville 10-3 22. Henderson 7-4

3. Lampasas 13-2 13. Austin LBJ 8-3 18. Lindale 7-4 23. Alice 9-3

4. Corpus Christi Calallen 14. Paris 6-5 19. Melissa 9-4 24. Vidor 5-4 12-2 15. Brownwood 11-2 20. Kilgore 5-6 25.Wichita Falls Hirschi 5-5 5. Port Lavaca Calhoun 9-3

6. Springtown 13-2

7. Corpus Christi Proud to Back the Badgers! Miller 12-1

8. Dumas 13-1

JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD 9. El Campo 10-3 Connelly White follows a block by Keagan Richardson on White’s interception return to the Navasota one-yard line in last week’s 10. Decatur 12-1 scrimmage. Welcome Badger 2020 varsity football roster home

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601 N Key Ave. Lampasas, Texas 76550 L AMPASAS BennyBoydCDJ.com 512-525-4540 FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 Fall Sportslampasasdispatchrecord.com Preview LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD B9 Badger tennis team heads north with new district BY JEFF LOWE the year. She has already DISPATCH RECORD moved up two spots on the ladder. The Badger tennis program “The top three girls will lost a lot of experienced push each other this year, as players last spring, but having will Mario and Sam [Zmolik] the longest-serving head in boys’ singles,” the coach coach in any Lampasas High said. School sport may make up for Valdez said turnout in both some of that. the fall sports in which she Kenneth Peiser has been competes is down this year, head coach here since 1999. as some players either moved His assistant coach, Eric to remote learning or have White, is a 2003 LHS grad other commitments besides with the best career winning sports. percentage in Badger boys’ Most of the spring athletic tennis history. season was canceled, but Several seniors are back even after months of school on this year’s team: Mario being closed, Valdez did not JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD Aguirre, Kelsea Moyer, Rory consider quitting either sport. Mario Aguirre takes a swing in practice. Aguirre entered the first week of regular-season competition as No. 1 on the team ladder. Magill and Emma Jones. “I could never not do them,” Aguirre has the best career she said. record of all those, but he is She has an easier time one game shy of .500. getting back in the routine Two of last year’s of cross country, but Valdez graduates, Micah Belanger said the later start to matches and Joel Allan, finished with this year will help her team winning percentages near prepare in tennis. 65%. Players have been doing Aguirre was No. 1 on the challenge matches once Badger boys’ team ladder a week to compete for heading into the season the top spots on the team opener Aug. 25 against Lake ladder. Valdez said she is Belton. more of a singles player “Mario is excited to get but practices with several started playing matches,” doubles partners, and doubles Peiser said. “He has a good combinations usually are not solid game. Once we get a few decided until shortly before matches underway, he will each match. get even better with more The Badgers’ next match confidence.” is Aug. 28 at home against Junior Abby Valdez is the Burnet. top prospect in girls’ tennis District play includes and in cross country, where matches Sept. 10 at home she is a returning regional against Stephenville, Sept. qualifier. 15 at Glen Rose, Sept. 26 at “Abby has improved her Brownwood and Sept. 29 at groundstrokes,” Peiser said. home against Gatesville. “She is hitting with more Defending state champ confidence and aggression. If Fredericksburg is a non- she can stay focused, she district opponent scheduled should have a good start to for Sept. 3. LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD Fall Sports lampasasdispatchrecord.com Preview FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 B10 Cross country times ahead of last year’s pace

BY JEFF LOWE JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD DISPATCH RECORD Tate Rainwater (4937) and Cody Hinson (front-center, in jacket) lead a pack of runners at their home meet last year.

The Lady Badger cross mile time of 21:44, compared close to her 2019 pace. The Badgers’ regular country times in practice to 29:39 a year ago. Girls have been running season starts Aug. 29 at have been averaging about “From what I heard he ran 20-25 miles per week in the Florence. a minute faster per mile than pretty religiously over the preseason, and the boys at this point last year. And break, and he’s just hitting average a few miles more per the boys’ times have been his own stride,” the coach week. running about 35-40 seconds added. The Badgers compete faster per mile. Cody Hinson, Tate in a new district this year, The Badgers’ second-year Rainwater and Gavin in Region I, District 6 with head coach Kiff Wiemers Robinson have returned to Gatesville, Brownwood, said he is excited about the the boys’ varsity squad. Stephenville and Glen Rose. potential of his runners, even Abby Valdez, Tate Brown Only two teams will advance though they are young. and Leilany Alvarez are back to region. Sophomore Ben Stone is from the Lady Badgers’ 2019 UIL has allowed for a one of the leaders on the regional-qualifying team. longer regular season this boys’ side. Brooke Coffman, a year, and Wiemers said the “Ben just figured it out,” sophomore, has posted slightly shorter preseason Wiemers said. “He’s dropped some of the fastest times mileage is to help reduce his time substantially from in practice, at 14:23 for two wear-and-tear on runners’ last year,” with a recent three- miles. Valdez’ time of 14:41 is bodies over time. 2020 Runnin’ Badgers Cross Country Schedule Date Place Time Teams Sat. Aug. 29 Florence Invitational TBD Varsity Buffalo Stadium Wed. Sept. 2 Brownwood Invitational 8 a.m. Varsity/JV FILE PHOTO Gordon Wood Stadium Leilany Alvarez heads down the home stretch of the Sat. Sept. 12 McGregor XC Invitational 7:30 a.m. Varsity/JV Lampasas course in 2019. Bluebonnet Park Wed. Sept. 16 Lometa Invitational 2 p.m. Varsity/JV Lometa Regional Park Sat. Sept. 26 Bill Bradley Invitational 8 a.m. Varsity/JV Gatesville High School Fri. Oct. 2 Lampasas Invitational 8 a.m. Varsity/JV Lampasas High School Wed. Oct. 7 Stephenville Invitational 8 a.m. Varsity/JV Stephenville City Park Thurs. Oct. 22 Moody Bearcat Invitational 8:30 a.m. Varsity only Moody High School Wed. Oct. 28 6-4A District Meet 10 a.m. Varsity/JV Lampasas High School Nov. 9 or 10 Regional XC Meet TBD Varsity Mae Simmons Park, Lubbock Nov. 23 or 24 State XC Meet TBD Varsity Old Settler’s Park, Round Rock Coaches: Kiff Wiemers, Aaron Nuckles Principal: Joey McQueen Athletic Director: Troy Rogers Superintendent: Dr. Chane Rascoe FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 Fall Sportslampasasdispatchrecord.com Preview LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD B11 Non-district opponents’ results ranged from state runner-up to winless district is very lopsided. mid-season last year to FROM PAGE B2 Wimberley and Geronimo reach the area playoffs. records in the past two Navarro are coming off This year, the Cougars seasons, Stephenville’s deep playoff runs. Austin have a tough non-district elite history includes Eastside Memorial and schedule that includes five state titles and 37 Manor New Tech went a Brownwood and Lorena, postseason appearances. combined 1-19 last year, the only team to beat the Austin Achieve Polar Lampasas in the regular Sept. 11 vs. Wimberley Bears competed in TAIAO season last year. Preseason No. 4 in 4A six-man last season, and China Spring and Div. II San Antonio Young Men’s Lampasas last met in 2017, Record: 12-4 last year Leadership Academy is a when the Cougars were The big question for the new varsity program. ranked No. 7 and handed returning state runner-up After realignment in the Badgers a 38-20 season- Texans is: Can they find February, Wimberley ending loss. a quarterback to replace appealed to the UIL to be Lampasas’ last win over Cooper McCollum, a Texas placed in a district with the Cougars came in 2014 A&M walk-on? similar teams but lost the by a 34-20 score. McCollum threw for 3,657 appeal. The Texans remain *** yards and 49 touchdowns the district favorite as the Sept. 25 vs. Gatesville last fall. Matthew Tippie, a No. 4 team in 4A Div. II. Record: 0-10 last year new transfer to Wimberley Geronimo Navarro is not Gatesville is hoping for from Burnet, is in the mix far behind at No. 9. a 180-degree turn from for starting quarterback. last year’s winless season. But the Texans’ lead Sept. 18 at China Brothers Aaron Hunter JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD man at that position had Spring (Defensive Coordinator) John Long, a preseason all-state lineman, blocks against Gatesville in a 59-0 win last September. not been finalized by the Record: 4-8 last year and Jacob Hunter middle of this month. The Cougars’ head (Offensive Coordinator) The Badgers’ district Doug Warren has a long coach, Brian Bell, was the have joined the staff of for 2020 includes Austin tenure as the Texans’ head winningest quarterback second-year head coach LBJ, Burnet, Canyon Lake, coach, which includes in Sam Houston State Luke Howard, a Gatesville Fredericksburg and Taylor. a state title in 2011, last University history, and he graduate. LBJ was considered year’s runner-up finish lived in Lampasas briefly Before the Badgers the top challenger to the and a state semifinal trip while his father, Mark Bell, hammered the Hornets defending district-champion in 2017. was head coach here. 59-0 on the road last year, Badgers. But it was unclear 2017 was the last time Brian Bell took over the Lampasas had not beaten how local orders delaying Lampasas and Wimberley China Spring program in Gatesville since 1990. the start of school in Austin met, and the Texans won 2018, and Mark Bell moved Howard was an assistant would affect the Jaguars’ 52-7. to an athletic director-only coach on the University of practices and season Junior running back position after 21 years as Mary Hardin-Baylor’s first prospects. Moses Wray has been a head coach for the Cougars. national championship LBJ was ranked No. 13 in star since his freshman China Spring graduated team in 2016 before he Dave Campbell’s preseason year. Estimated at 6’1”, 195 11 seniors from last year’s returned to coach at his poll. pounds, Wray rushed for team. Key returners include high school alma mater. Fredericksburg gave the more than 1,200 yards last Kansas Jayhawk commit Returning leaders on Badgers their best test of season. D’Marion Alexander. defense include Zach district last year, taking a Receiver Christian 247Sports lists Alexander at Bates, who had 89 tackles 14-0 lead before a Badger Marshal was Dave 6’5”, 215 pounds. last year, and Isaiah comeback in the 14-4A Div. Campbell’s preseason According to Dave Navejas who had 79. I title game. pick for all-state receiver Campbell’s Texas Football, Gatesville was shut out Look for more details this fall. He had over 1,300 the Cougars’ strengths three times in 2019 but on the Badgers’ district receiving yards in 2019. will be rushing offense and managed a season-high 34 opponents in the Dispatch The Texans have a tough rushing defense. points in a loss to perennial Record’s Tuesday and non-district schedule like China Spring overcame powerhouse Cameron Yoe. Friday editions as the Oct. 9 the Badgers, but their a five-game losing streak *** district opener draws closer. LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD Fall Sports lampasasdispatchrecord.com Preview FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 B12

JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD Senior receiver Mike Murray breaks a tackle in the Badgers’ home scrimmage last week against Navasota.

FILE PHOTO Dax Brookreson breaks up a Burnet pass in the end zone on fourth down last October.