Sports
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
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Badgers’ outside game key in 48-38 win at Hamilton BY JEFF LOWE DISPATCH RECORD
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Lampasas made 9 threeREBOUNDS POINTS Jett Bramon 15 Bramon 7 pointers in Friday’s 48-38 Nate Borchardt 12 road victory over Hamilton in Mike Murray 9 ASSISTS boys’ basketball. Jaylon Porter 5 Jaylon Porter 4 The win sends Lampasas Jacob Hogeda 3 into the Christmas break Quinn Pace 2 STEALS with a 9-7 record. Only two Elijah Stanley 2 Borchardt 3 of those games have been at home. Sophomore team co-captain Jett Bramon led with 15 we’ve all kind of meshed points. The Lampaas JV improved really well.” “We knew coming into to 11-3 on the season with There were ups and downs it that they were gonna a 40-21 win at Hamilton. for the Badgers’ defense. play a zone, and we acted Parker Gibbs and Austin They held Hamilton to no accordingly, and I think we Wilson led the scoring with field goals in about a 10:00 just came out ready to adapt nine points each. stretch but also gave up the and change what we had to The Badgers’ ninth-grade big runs mentioned earlier. do,” Bramon said. “We all squad won their first game “I think we’ve just got came together and knocked 47-27 over Hamilton. Ethan to work on not taking any down shots when we had to.” Moreno led the scoring with The Badgers scored the first plays off, realizing that it’s a 16 points. 32-minute game and just give nine points of the contest. The Badgers will play in it everything we’ve got every Then the Bulldogs put up 10 the Brownwood tournament time we step on the court,” straight to end the quarter Thursday through Saturday. Bramon said. ahead by one. See varsity tournament Jacob Hogeda defends against Hamilton in Friday’s road game. *** A 12-0 Badger run gave schedule, below. them a 21-10 lead; then the Bulldogs made two free throws for their only points of the second quarter. Hamilton strung together an 11-0 run in the third quarter to close the Badgers’ lead down to 26-23. Late in the third quarter, Bramon and Nate Borchardt combined for a trio of threepointers, and Lampasas led 35-28 through the third quarter. Mike Murray, playing for just the second time this season, had five points and a shot block on defense early in the fourth quarter. He finished with nine points. Leading 42-38, Lampasas had a long possession that ran about a minute off the clock. Jacob Hogeda, also a cocaptain, ended the possession with a three-pointer near the sideline with about 1:30 left. Bramon made one last shot past the perimeter to wrap up the scoring at 48-38. Since the season opener, “I think we’ve gotten a lot Edwin Randle Division better,” Bramon said. “I think 2019 Texas Bank Holiday Classic we’re starting to play more Edwin Randle Division JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD as a team and especially December Pool A with Pool B 26-28 Nate Borchardt attempts a save near the sideline as head coach Aaron Nuckles watches. the football guys. I think
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2019 Texas Bank Holiday Classic December 2019 Texas Bank26-28 Holiday Classic December 26-28
Alvarado Big Spring Pool A B Edwin Randle Brownwood CiscoPoolDivision 2019 Texas Bank Holiday Classic Alvarado Big Spring Lampasas Goldthwaite Pool A Pool B 26-28 Brownwood Cisco December Levelland Wimberley Alvarado Big Spring Lampasas Goldthwaite Brownwood Cisco Levelland Wimberley Edwin Randle Division Lampasas
Goldthwaite
Thursday December 26 Levelland Wimberley Friday December 27 Pool A Pool B 3 Col - 10:20 Brownwood vs Lampasas 30 HS - 11:40 Levelland vs Alvarado Thursday December 26 Friday December 27 Alvarado Big Spring 6 HS - 11:40 Cisco vs Goldthwaite 35 Col - 2:20 Goldthwaite vs Wimberley 3 Col 10:20 Big Brownwood vs Lampasas - 11:40 Levelland vs Alvarado 21 HS - 6:20 SpringBrownwood vs Cisco 40 30Cisco Col -HS5:00 Lampasas vs Levelland Thursday December 26 Friday December 27 Lampasas Goldthwaite 6 Col HS--10:20 11:40 Lampasas Cisco vs Goldthwaite - 2:20 Goldthwaite vs Wimberley 7:40 vs Alvarado 41 3035HSHS -Col 5:00 Wimberley vs Big Spring 324 Brownwood vs Lampasas - 11:40 Levelland vs Alvarado Levelland 621 Cisco vs Goldthwaite - -2:20 Goldthwaite Wimberley HS- -11:40 - 7:40 6:20 Brownwood Big Spring vs Levelland Cisco 5:00 Lampasas vsvsLevelland 23 HS Col vs 42 3540Wimberley ColCol -Col 6:20 Brownwood vs Alvarado 21 Spring vsvsCisco - -5:00 vs vs Levelland 24 HS HS- -6:20 7:40 Big Lampasas Alvarado HS 5:00 Wimberley Big Spring 45 4041ColCol 7:40 Big Lampasas Spring vs Goldthwaite 24 HS 7:40 Lampasas vs Alvarado 41 HS 5:00 Wimberley vs Big Spring 23 Col - 7:40 Brownwood vs Levelland 42 Col - 6:20 Brownwood vs Alvarado 23 Col - 7:40 Brownwood Levelland26 42 vs Goldthwaite Alvarado Thursday vs December 27 45 ColCol- 6:20 7:40 Brownwood BigFriday SpringDecember vs 45 30 ColHS7:40 Spring vs vs Goldthwaite 3 Col - 10:20 Brownwood vs Lampasas - 11:40Big Levelland Alvarado 6 HS - 11:40Saturday Cisco December vs Goldthwaite 35 Listed Col - 2:20 Goldthwaite 28 *Team first will be Home vs Wimberley - 6:20 Wimberly Big Spring vs Cisco 40 Col - 5:00 Lampasas vs Levelland 4721 Col HS - 9:00 vs Cisco 24 HS 7:40 Lampasas vs Alvarado 41 breaker: HS - 5:00 Wimberley vs Big Spring 53 HSBG - 11:40 Fourth PoolDecember A vs Fourth28 Pool B *Tie 1st Head Saturday December 28 *TeamListed Listedfirst firstwill will be-Home Hometo Head Saturday *Team be 23 Col - 7:40 Brownwood vs Levelland 42 Col - 6:20 Brownwood vs Alvarado 55 Col Pool Avsvs vsCisco Third Pool B 2nd - Points allowed 47 Col-- -11:40 9:00 Third Wimberly Cisco 47 Col 9:00 Wimberly 45 Col 7:40 Big Spring vs Goldthwaite 58 HSBG Col -- -1:00 53 11:40 Fourth Pool Fourth Pool *Tie 1st 53 HSBG 11:40 Second FourthPool PoolAAAvsvsvsSecond FourthPool PoolBBB *Tiebreaker: breaker: 1st- -Head HeadtotoHead Head 65 Col Col- --11:40 5:00 Pool A AvsAvsFirst PoolPool B BB Col = Brownwood Coliseum 2nd 55 Third Pool 55 Col 11:40 First Third Pool vsThird Third Pool 2nd- -Points Pointsallowed allowed 58 HS = Brownwood High School Main Gym 58 Col Col- -1:00 1:00 Second SecondPool PoolAAvsvsSecond SecondPool PoolBB 65 Pool A vs First Pool B Col == Brownwood Coliseum HSBG High School Back Gym 65 Col Col- -5:00 5:00 First First Pool A December vs First Pool28B Col*Team =Brownwood Brownwood Coliseum Saturday Listed first will be Home HS = Brownwood High School Main Gym HS = Brownwood High School Main Gym 47 Col - 9:00 Wimberly vs Cisco HSBG = Brownwood High School Back Gym HSBG Brownwood School 53 HSBG Fourth Pool A vs Fourth Pool B & celebration, *Tie=breaker: 1st - Back HeadGym to Head In- 11:40 this joyous season of wonder we wishHigh love, hope, 55 Col - 11:40 Third Pool A vs Third Pool B 2nd - Points allowed & peace to all. We are deeply grateful for your loyalty & support. 58 Col - 1:00 Second Pool A vs Second Pool B ForPool yourA vsgift ofPool friendship, we are blessed. 65 Col - 5:00 First First B Col =truly Brownwood Coliseum HS = Brownwood High School Main Gym HSBG = Brownwood High School Back Gym
With Heartfelt Thanks At Christmas
The best part of any journey is the people you meet along the way, and we’re pleased to say we’ve never met a better bunch of folks than you. Thank you for supporting us through the years.
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Former Badger’s soccer team qualifies for UPSL playoffs Former Badger soccer player Jeffery Rash competes for Coyotes FC, a team based in Temple, in the United Premier Soccer League Division I. The Coyotes placed second in their conference with a 6-2-2 record, and Rash scored three goals during the regular season. The Coyotes clinched a spot in the playoffs after defeating Capital City 2-0 on Saturday. Rash is a forward for the Coyotes, a squad founded in 2018. The USPL is an American professional development soccer league created in 2011.
Powerlifter wins USAPL division Lampasas High School junior Alyssa Ayers won the Female Teen 2 division of the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Cup and Texas Open on Dec. 14. She squatted 259 pounds, bench pressed 132.3 pounds and deadlifted 286.6 pounds. USAPL is a separate organization than Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association, which is the league the Lady Badgers compete in during the spring. Ayers is a two-time state qualifier in THSWPA, and she holds a regional record in her 114-pound weight class.
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Workmon’s career-high pushes Hornets past Robert Lee The Hornets beat the Robert Lee Steers 62-37 on Friday in Lometa. Dyllen Workmon scored 32 points for the best offensive game of his career. In two games last week, he totaled 57 points. “We were able to buckle down on defense the second half after a tight first half,” Lometa coach Frank Reyes II said. The Hornets were ahead 30-29 at halftime before outscoring the Steers 32-8 in the second half. “We controlled inside and the transition game,” Reyes said. The Hornets will play a rematch against Smoking for Jesus Christian School EMILY ANDRADE | LOMETA ISD JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT at 1 p.m. on Dec. 30 at the Dyllen Workmon scored 57 points last week over two games. He’s shown in last Tuesday’s home game. Burnet YMCA.
INDIVIDUAL SCORING Dyllen Workmon 32 Alonso Caso
13
Luis Acevedo
8
Leonel Caso
3
Tim Juarez
2
Elijah Gonzales
2
Luis Hernandez
2
SCORE BY QUARTER R.L. 13 16 2 6 37 LOMETA 11 19 14 18 62 HORNETS’ REMAINING SCHEDULE Dec. 30 vs. Smoking for Jesus Christian School (in Burnet) Jan. 3 vs. Cranfills Gap Jan. 7 at Gustine Jan. 10 vs. Priddy Jan. 14 at Jonesboro Jan. 17 vs. Evant Jan. 24 vs. Cherokee Jan. 28 at Cranfills Gap Jan. 31 vs. Gustine Feb. 4 at Priddy Feb. 7 vs. Jonesboro Feb. 11 at Evant Feb. 18 at Cherokee
UIL FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS 1A-6A 1A (Six-Man) Division I Blum beat McLean 58-52 1A (Six-Man) Division II Richland Springs beat Matador Motley County 62-16 2A Division I Refugio beat Post 28-7 2A Division II Mart beat Hamlin 25-20 3A Division I Grandview beat Pottsboro 42-35 3A Division II Gunter beat Omaha Pewitt 43-22 4A Division I Carthage beat La Vega 42-28 4A Division II Texarkana Pleasant Grove beat Wimberley 35-21
PANELISTS AND THEIR RECORDS:
JAMIE BRIGGS
FORMER LISD SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT
19-11
5A Division I Alvin Shadow Creek beat Denton Ryan 28-22 5A Division II Aledo beat Fort Bend Marshall 45-42 6A Division I Galena Park North Shore beat Duncanville 31-17 6A Division II Westlake beat Denton Guyer 24-0 Aledo and Richland Springs earned their ninth state titles in school history. Carthage, which eliminated Lampasas 49-42 in the 4A Div. I state semifinals, beat La Vega by a more comfortable two-touchdown margin. The Bulldogs’ 16-0 season included a 35-14 non-district
JOEY MCQUEEN
LHS PRINCIPAL/FORMER HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
24-6
win over 4A Div. II state champ Pleasant Grove. Carthage’s win over Lampasas was the Bulldogs’ closest of the year. Shadow Creek and Denton Ryan had a similar last-second finish. At the buzzer, the Sharks broke up a Ryan pass in the end zone that would have tied the game and, with a PAT, would have won. Westlake forced the only state championship shutout. The Chaps’ 15-1 season included a massive 63-3 semifinal win over Katy Taylor, an almost unprecedent margin of victory for a semifinal game. In the Dispatch Record’s prediction panel, Rob Shivers won by a technicality, picking the correct winner
ROB SHIVERS
FORMER HEAD BASKETBALL COACH
22-7 (1 NO-DECISION)
Texas Association of Basketball Coaches rankings
JEFF LOWE
DISPATCH RECORD SPORTS EDITOR
21-9
in 22 of the 29 games he predicted. Joey McQueen had the best record, 24-6,
but one week’s picks were not available at the press deadline.
PEACE ON EARTH It may be cold outside, but our hearts are warmed by thoughts of the many good people we’ve had the privilege to meet and serve. Merry Christmas and sincere thanks to all of you.
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As of Dec. 16 4A BOYS 1. Yates 2. Carter 3. Liberty Hill 4. Argyle 5. Faith Family 6. Decatur 7. Dunbar 8. Silsbee 9. Lincoln 10. LaMarque 11. Connally 12. Clint 13. Estacado 14. Fulshear 15. Waxahachie Life 16. Palestine 17. Pleasanton 18. Paris 19. Taylor 20. China Spring Bold: district opponents of Lampasas As of Dec. 16 4A GIRLS 1. Canyon 2. Argyle 3. Decatur 4. Hardin-Jefferson 5. Glen Rose 6. Beeville Jones 7. Fairfield 8. Brownsboro 9. Sunnyvale 10. Bullard 11. Stephenville 12. El Campo 13. Robstown 14. Bridgeport 15. Hereford 16 Devine 17. San Elizario 18 La Grange 19. Dallas Lincoln 20. Liberty Hill Bold: district opponents of Lampasas
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
BETH FRANKLIN | LOMETA ISD JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT
Lady Hornets off till Jan. 3
Jessica Andrade takes a jump shot earlier this season. Lometa lost the girls’ district opener 44-32 at Cherokee on Friday. The Lady Hornets will return Jan. 3 to host Cranfills Gap after the JV boys’ game at 1 p.m.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Dispatch Record Commemorative Football Edition lampasasdispatchrecord.com
LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD
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Badgers set new standard in 2019
T
BY JEFF LOWE DISPATCH RECORD
he Badgers’ 13-2 record speaks for itself in describing this football season. The team’s only losses both were decided by single digits in the last few seconds against traditional powerhouses. By most measures, 2019 is the best season in the history of Badger football, which dates back roughly a century. This year tied 1986 for the Badgers’ deepest playoff run. But this year’s 49-42 state semifinal loss to legendary Carthage was much more competitive than the Badgers’ semifinal loss in 1986 to Jefferson. The 1986 squad recorded 11 wins, and Lampasas earned 13 this year. Lampasas’ 1925 squad was undefeated and unscored on, according to local legend. But the team did not compete in a state playoff bracket in those days, and the stingy defensive numbers have to be weighed against the fact that football in general was much lower
scoring then. During the regular season, Lampasas reached a peak ranking of No. 6 in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 4A rankings. By finishing in the final four, the Badgers outperformed an optimistic preseason ranking of No. 9. Junior quarterback Ace Whitehead set school records with 4,259 passing yards in a single season, 54 passing touchdowns this season and 9,555 career passing yards. Senior receiver Cameron Everts broke his own school records (set in 2018) by making 90 catches this year for 1,438 yards. Sophomore middle linebacker Case Brister racked up 207 total tackles, giving him 276 tackles in just 1 1/2 years of varsity football. Brister is the fourth generation of his family to play football in Central Texas, continuing a tradition started by his greatgrandfather Otis Brister in Lometa in the 1920s. Senior defensive back Koby Allen had more than SEE EVERY, PAGE B2
Badger football by the numbers
777 total points scored this year.
13-2 most wins in school history
34.23 average margin of victory
508.7 average offensive yardage per game
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Jack Jerome hurdled over defenders three times this season, twice for touchdowns.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Every game left an impression Weekby-week highlights FROM PAGE B1
370 career tackles, including his best-ever: 191 this year. Several Badgers earned state and national recognition. Max Preps ranked Jack Jerome’s touchdown run in which he hurdled over a Gonzales defender (pictured on p. B1) the No. 7 play nationwide for the week. That play occurred in the second round of the playoffs. Whitehead was named a semifinalist for Dave Campbell’s statewide title: Mr. Texas Football Player of the Year. The winner of that award will be announced on Dec. 27 at the Texas Bowl in NRG Stadium in Houston. Jaylon Porter was featured in a highlight on ESPN during Monday Night Football. His touchdown grab in the regional finals, wrestling the ball away from a Liberty Hill defender, was picked as the top catch on
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Clayton Bever (in white) dives to force an incompletion on a pass intended for Joshua in the season opener. For the second season in a row, Bever had five interceptions. “You Got Mossed.” “You Got Mossed” shows receiving highlights and is named for former NFL receiver Randy Moss. Many important accomplishments early this season also contributed to the Badgers’ eventual state semifinal appearance.
AUG. 30 AT JOSHUA BADGERS 63, OWLS 14
The Badgers opened the 2019 season with their biggest-ever win over a Conference 5A team. The 63-14 blowout on Joshua’s home turf set the tone for the season. Whitehead scored six total
touchdowns. In post-game comments, he and Porter foreshadowed two major themes this season. “With as many talented athletes as we have, I think that’s just how it’s gonna be...,” Whitehead said. “We’re gonna spread it out. We’ve got so many athletes
and only one football.” And that became one of the biggest keys to Lampasas’ dominance: a wide range of players able to score and come through in the clutch, rather than depending on one athlete. Joshua finished the year 1-9, but Porter made an important statement that reflected the
Badgers’ approach to the season. “No matter who the opponent is, we come out every week acting like it’s gonna be the hardest game... They could be 0 for 10 or 16-0, and we’re gonna come out and play the same way every single game.”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018
Fall Sports Preview lampasasdispatchrecord.com
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Position leaders show toughness and initiative SEE FOOTBALL, PAGE B12
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Badgers responded to Lorena loss with 11-game win streak SEPT. 6 AT LAGO VISTA BADGERS 66, VIKINGS 27 Game two tied for the Badgers’ highest scoring of the season. Their pass defense probably was more impressive at Lago Vista than in any other game. Later, Lampasas would hold two other teams to 0 passing yards, but on very few attempts. Lago Vista threw 21 passes for just five completions, and Cade White had two interceptions. Jack Jerome earned his third touchdown with his first hurdle over a defender’s head. What seemed to be a one-time standout play became his signature move later in the season. Kyle Billings rushed for his first varsity career touchdown, and Ace Whitehead broke Troy Rogers’ 26-year-old school record for career passing yards. SEPT. 13 AT HOME AGAINST LORENA LEOPARDS 31, BADGERS 30 The Badgers became better because of their last-second loss to Lorena. The Leopards were the preseason No. 8 team in 4A Div. II. At Badger Field, Lorena came from behind by outscoring Lampasas 21-7 in the third quarter through the early fourth quarter. Lampasas’ last points of the game came on a 36-yard Whitehead field goal, which
put Lampasas ahead 30-28 with under 5:00 to go. Lorena’s All-Area QB Bradley Lina kicked the go-ahead field goal with 49 seconds on the clock. Cameron Everts and Jaylon Porter gained first downs on a quick drive, but the Badgers’ 53-yard field goal attempt for the win fell short on the second-to-last play. Lorena took a knee to end the game. The Badgers responded to the loss with an 11-game winning streak. It was the closest loss in the Badgers’ 10-year series against Lorena. It was a wake-up call that showed the Badgers to expect a battle every week. SEPT. 20 AT HOME AGAINST LA VERNIA BADGERS 48, BEARS 28 La Vernia was the first perennially strong team that the Badgers defeated. The Bears have made the playoffs 23 consecutive years, and they ended the Badgers’ past two playoff runs before this season. Beating La Vernia cleared a huge mental hurdle for the Badgers. Also, it was the Badgers’ first Homecoming victory since 2011. Whitehead was in on six touchdowns, including three passes to Everts. Keagan Richardson recovered a muffed kick return by La Vernia in
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All-state quarterback Ace Whitehead (2) follows a block by Mike Murray. Before the season, Whitehead mentioned his goal to be a better rusher. He accomplished that with 723 rushing yards, more than double his 2018 ground yardage. the first quarter, helping Lampasas take a 14-0 early lead. Owen Seaver made a clutch hit on Bear QB Gage Lowry to force a turnover on downs in Badger territory. And Lampasas held La Vernia scoreless in the third quarter.
SEPT. 27 AT GATESVILLE BADGERS 59, HORNETS 0 The Badgers beat Gatesville for the first time since 1990. The non-district finale also was Lampasas’ biggest margin of victory since 1975 and first shutout since 2011. Clayton Bever returned an
interception for a touchdown, and he scored a receiving touchdown on Mike Murray’s only pass completion of the year on a trick play. Seaver had three sacks. All of Lampasas’ points came in the first half. Jason Andrews played quarterback for Lampasas
the whole second half, as a run-heavy game helped to keep the score from getting more out of hand. Lampasas returned to the Top-10 state rankings and entered the bye week with a 4-1 season record. See B9-B11 for district and playoff summaries.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
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Senior photo highlights
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Ethan Rascoe, #4, DL
Ethan Rascoe nails a Gatesville runner, as Lampasas limited Gatesville to just six rushing yards in the Sept. 27 game.
Jaylon Porter, #5, WR
Cameron Everts, #1, WR
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Three-year starter Cameron Everts leaves Liberty Hill defenders in his dust in a regional final rematch with the Panthers. Everts totaled 3,236 receiving yards in his career, making him one of the top receivers in school history.
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This Jaylon Porter touchdown catch in the regional finals was featured on ESPN’s Monday Night Football in a segment called “You Got Mossed.”
Kyle Billings, #10, RB
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Kyle Billings rushed for his first varsity career touchdown in a 66-27 win at Lago Vista.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Senior photo highlights
JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD
Isaiah Rhodes, #11, OLB
Senior Isaiah Rhodes (11) and junior Keagan Richardson (25) tackle Princeton University commit Ashton Stredick inside the Badger five-yard line. Stredick was the top rusher in 4A before Needville lost to Lampasas 66-44 in the regional semis.
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Clayton Bever, #13, DB
Clayton Bever finished with five interceptions for the second season in a row and returned multiple kicks, as he is shown doing in a bi-district win over Brazosport.
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Brenton Webb, #18, TE
Brenton Webb catches a touchdown pass from Ace Whitehead against Joshua on Aug. 30.
Kyle Arriola, #20, DB
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On a kickoff against Needville, Kyle Arriola fights for control of a loose ball as two Blue Jays close in.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
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Senior photo highlights
Koby Allen, #27, DB
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Koby Allen (27) forces a fumble at Taylor. Allen had one forced fumble, two recoveries and two interceptions this season. Also pictured: sophomores Case Brister (15) and Dax Brookreson (21).
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Daunte Cuffie, #33, RB/LB Daunte Cuffie, shown stiffarming a Lago Vista Viking, rushed for more than 800 yards and 12 touchdowns this year. Cuffie started his varsity career as a freshman in 2016. He overcame a 2018 seasonending ACL injury to finish as a starter on both sides of the ball.
2019 Results/schedule W 63-14 over Joshua W 66-27 over Lago Vista L 31-30 to Lorena W 48-28 over La Vernia W 59-0 over Gatesville W 45-13 over Burnet W 52-10 over Liberty Hill W 56-0 over Taylor W 56-35 over Canyon Lake W 47-35 over Fredericksburg W 42-14 over Brazosport W 56-6 over Gonzales W 66-44 over Needville W 49-34 over Liberty Hill L 49-42 to Carthage Bold: district games Italics: playoff games
‘To the mighty Lampasas Badgers...I haven’t seen a team have so much heart since the 1988 Permian team the year I got hurt... I have no doubt I will be seeing a lot of you taking your football career to the next level. Ace Whitehead, you are a stud.’ James “Boobie” Miles
Odessa Permian legend, key figure in the book and movie ‘Friday Night Lights’. This quote was edited for length.
Korie Menard, #44, LB
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Korie Menard is congratulated by Clayton Bever (13) after Menard’s onside kick recovery against Liberty Hill. The Badgers beat the 2018 state runner-up, Liberty Hill, 52-10 in district play.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Senior photo highlights
Kian Kennedy, #70, T
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Kian Kennedy blocks in the state semifinals against Carthage.
Dustin Engdahl, #51, DE Senior Dustin Engdahl (51) teams up with junior Anthony Harris (75) for a tackle in the backfield against La Vernia.
Austin Kielpinski, #72, T
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Austin Kielpinski, blocking a Lorena Leopard, was named to the Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State Elite Team. Teammate Ethan Rascoe described Kielpinski as “one of the smartest guys I’ve ever been around.”
Eight other Badger football players received academic all-state recognition from the Texas High School Coaches Association.
To qualify, athletes must maintain a GPA of 92 or higher and be in good standing with their team. Other Lampasas
honorees include: First Team Ethan Rascoe Second Team Cameron Everts Clayton Bever
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Dustin Engdahl Honorable Mention Isaiah Rhodes Koby Allen Daunte Cuffie Brenton Webb
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Dispatch Record Commemorative Football Edition lampasasdispatchrecord.com
LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD
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Defense hits stride mid-season OCT. 11 AT HOME AGAINST BURNET BADGERS 45, BULLDOGS 13 Case Brister earned two safeties in the first half
of the Badgers’ district opener against Burnet. The first came after a punt pinned Burnet on the one-yard line, and Owen
Seaver assisted Brister with pressure in the end zone. Soon after, the Bulldogs intercepted a pass on their
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Case Brister records his second safety in a 45-13 district win over Burnet at home, assisted by Keagan Richardson (25) and Daunte Cuffie (33).
Brister ranked eighth nationwide, according to MaxPreps, for most tackles among high school players of any size school in 11-man football. His 207 stops were the most in 4A and second-most in Texas. OCT. 18 AT HOME AGAINST LIBERTY HILL BADGERS 52, PANTHERS 10 Lampasas allowed just 10 points agianst the previous district and regional champ, which had scored 55 points against the Badgers in 2018. The Badgers shut down the Panthers’ passing game, giving up just one completion for 24 yards in the whole game.
Bever intercepted a pass for the third week in a row. Jaylon Porter burned his defender for a 78-yard touchdown grab to start a 28-0 run for the Badgers. That turned a close 10-7 game into a blowout by the early third quarter. Like the win over La Vernia, defeating Liberty Hill proved the Badgers were dangerous even against traditionally
dominant teams. The Badgers established themselves as the clear district favorite. By controlling the Panthers’ Slot-T, the Badgers also proved they could adapt to different opposing offenses. Oct. 18 marked the Badgers’ first win over Liberty Hill since 2011, and as in the 2011 season, it paved the way for a district title.
JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD
Cade White (8) rushes to recover a fumble in district play against Liberty Hill. Also pictured: Koby Allen.
own two-yard line. But on the next play, Brister, Daunte Cuffie and Keagan Richardson broke through the line and tackled the ball carrier in the end zone. Before the night was over, Clayton Bever intercepted a pass, and Koby Allen recovered a fumble. The Badgers were
unfazed by wet, windy weather with the first major cold front of the season. And after having a bye week the Friday before, they had not lost any momentum from their shutout win at Gatesville. The victory over Burnet completed a four-game stretch in which opposing teams averaged just 1.84
rushing yards per carry against Lampasas. Whitehead threw one touchdown apiece to three different receivers and rushed for two scores, while Cuffie also scored as part of his 122-yard rushing performance. Lampasas has a threegame winning streak in the rivalry series with Burnet.
B10
LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD
lampasasdispatchrecord.com
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
SEASON STAT LEADERS PASSING Ace Whitehead 260 of 373, 69.7% completion rate, 4,259 yards, 54 TD, 6 INT. QB Rating: 140.6 RUSHING Jack Jerome 220 carries, 1,421 yards, avg: 6.5, 12 TD Daunte Cuffie 97 carries, 818 yards, avg: 8.4, 12 TD Whitehead 127 carries, 723 yards, avg: 5.7, 21 TD RECEIVING Cameron Everts 90 catches, 1,438 yards, 10 TD Jaylon Porter 67 catches, 1,352 yards, 20 TD Mike Murray 57 catches, 995 yards, 16 TD Brenton Webb 36 catches, 383 yards, 8 TD TOTAL TACKLES Case Brister 207 Koby Allen 191
FIELD GOALS Whitehead 6-9. Longest: 39 yd.
SOLO TACKLES Brister 162 Allen 126
EXTRA POINTS Whitehead 97-104
TACKLES FOR LOSS Brister 22 Owen Seaver 14 SACKS Brister 12 Seaver 10 INTERCEPTIONS Clayton Bever 5 FUMBLES FORCED Isaiah Rhodes, Daunte Cuffie, Seaver 2 apiece JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD
Celebrating a 47-35 district championship victory over Fredericksburg, Ethan Rascoe (4), Jack Jerome (22), and Ace Whitehead dump a Gatorade cooler over head coach Troy Rogers.
FUMBLES RECOVERED
Cuffie
3
PUNTS Whitehead 13 Avg: 34.9 yards KICKOFFS Whitehead 80 Avg: 40.4 yards PUNT RETURNS Bever 21 Avg: 12.2 yards per return KICKOFF RETURNS Porter 10 Avg: 25.2 yards per return
Billies give Badgers toughest district test OCT. 25 AT TAYLOR LAMPASAS 56, DUCKS 0 For the first time in Defensive Coordinator Sam Waldrip’s roughly 20-year career, his team allowed zero passing yards. Lampasas raced to a 42-0 halftime lead and outrushed the Ducks 441 yards to 46 on Taylor’s home turf. The Badgers clinched the playoffs with this win, which also guaranteed their first back-to-back postseason appearances since 1993 and 1994. Taylor only got past midfield once, on the last drive of the game. Then, the Badgers denied the Ducks on three straight downs inside the red zone. Daunte Cuffie rushed for three touchdowns. Ace Whitehead and Jack Jerome ran for one TD apiece. Cameron Everts and Brenton Webb each scored once on a Whitehead pass. Taylor went on to finish 0-10, as did the other team Lampasas shut out: Gatesville. NOV. 1 AT HOME AGAINST CANYON LAKE BADGERS 56, HAWKS 35 Lampasas and Canyon Lake have a history of close games. But the Badgers’ 2019 home finale was on track to be the most-lopsided win in the six-year series until a couple of fourth-quarter Hawk touchdowns. Lampasas built a 30-point lead by the end of the third quarter. The Hawks scored on the first play of the fourth quarter and posted their last points with a passing touchdown in the final minute. Everts had one of his best receiving games, with 180 yards and a touchdown. Mike Murray snagged two touchdown passes, and Jaylon Porter had one. Canyon Lake’s 35 points were the most the Badgers had allowed all season
at the time. That gave Lampasas a taste of the tough offenses they would face over the next month. The Hawks brought a suprisingly balanced offense and put up 260 yards passing after several past games against Lampsas were rundominated. Lampasas scored 29 unanswered points from late in the second quarter to the middle of the third. Whitehead was named the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week after putting up five total touchdowns and 405 yards. A Canyon Lake player was taken off the field by an ambulance but was later confirmed to have a neck strain and no more serious injuries. The win guaranteed the Badgers at least a share of the district title. NOV. 8 AT FREDERICKSBURG BADGERS 47, BILLIES 35 For the first time this season, the Badgers fell behind by two touchdowns. Both teams were unbeaten in district, and everything went the Billies’ way for the first five minutes of the game. The Badgers’ come-frombehind road victory became one of their most important games of the season. After winning six straight by an average of 38 points, Lampasas’ ability to perform under pressure was tested. The win not only clinched the Badgers’ first district title since 2011, it gave them a favorable seed in the first-round. Being forced to play from behind prepared the Badgers for a back-and-forth shootout three weeks later against Needville. And it helped them push Carthage to the limit in the state semifinals after falling in a similar 14-0 hole. Lampasas’ first two drives ended in threeand-outs and just one pass completion. The Billies scored on their first offensive play, as QB Tucker Elliot found
JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD
Caden Thrift (left-center of photo) and Hayden Waldrip (right) block against Fredericksburg. Whitehead follows through on a pass.
Jarrett Beard on a completion. About three minutes later, Elliot connected with the other Beard brother to build a twotouchdown lead. Lampasas returned to its usual offensive execution and tied the game after Whitehead’s touchdown passes to Porter and Murray. A Koby Allen safety gave the Badgers their first lead, and they stayed on top the rest of the night. Everts and Porter each had two touchdown receptions on the night. NOV. 15 BI-DISTRICT PLAYOFFS BADGERS 42, EXPORTERS 14 In a rematch with their 2018 bi-district opponent, Lampasas jumped out to a 21-0 lead. Unlike their playoff win last year, the Badgers did not have to rally. But they did have to overcome a short burst of momentum that the Exporters had near halftime. Brazosport scored in the last minute before halftime and the first minute after the half to cut a 21-0 lead down to 21-14. Whitehead ended the Exporters’ surge with one of his three touchdown carries. The Badgers ran for 309 yards as a team and held Brazosport to 126. Exporter defensive back Kevin Davis entered the game as the leading tackler in 4A, with 159 stops. Jack Jerome crossed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season and hurdled over Davis and another defender in the JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD fourth quarter. Mike Murray, right, catches the first touchdown pass of a 56-35 win over Canyon Lake.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
lampasasdispatchrecord.com
LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD
B11
Area dominance, regional shootout, semifinal heartbreaker NOV. 22 AREA PLAYOFFS AGAINST GONZALES BADGERS 56, APACHES 6 Lampasas’ most complete game of the season earned the team’s first area title since 1993. The Badgers scored 35 points before the Apaches made a first down. Gonzales entered the game as an 8-2 bi-district champion with several playoff appearances in recent seasons. The Apaches were the best team record-wise that Lampasas had beaten, up to that point. Lampasas more than doubled the highest scoring that Gonzales had allowed in any other single game this year. Offensively, the Badgers achieved an almost perfect run-pass balance, a goal that Coordinator Heath Naragon pursued all season. With 225 passing yards and 226 rushing, the Badgers built a 35-0 first-half lead. Defensively, the Badgers adapted to a diverse Gonzales offense, which includes Slot-T, wishbone and pro set alignments. On special teams, Cameron Everts downed a Whitehead punt inside the Apache oneyard line. Porter intercepted a pass for the first time in his varsity career, and Bever also picked one off. Everts crossed the 1,000yard receiving mark for the season. NOV. 30 REGIONAL SEMIFINALS AGAINST NEEDVILLE BADGERS 66, BLUE JAYS 44 The Alamodome showdown on Thanksgiving weekend matched Lampasas against another district champion for the first time this season. This game has a strong claim as the Badgers’ best offensive game of the year, although the defense had a tough time containing Needville’s pass game. Needville running back Ashton Stredick had gained most of the Blue Jays’ hype going into the game. It was well-deserved as he ran for 3,105 yards and 37 total touchdowns as a senior. Stredick ran for 228 yards and four touchdowns, but
that was about half of the yardage he achieved the week before in a win over Boerne. For Lampasas, Porter had a career-high 227 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Lampasas totaled 665 yards. Whitehead had 478 individual yards, four touchdowns in the air, two on the ground and a field goal. The Badgers took a 9-0 lead in the first quarter with a touchdown, missed PAT and field goal. Special teams plagued Needville throughout the day. The Blue Jays made just two PATs despite seven touchdowns. Trailing 16-13, the Jays had a bad snap on a punt, and Isaiah Rhodes forced a safety on the play. Less than a minute later, Jack Jerome ran for a Badger touchdown, and Lampasas led 25-13 in the second quarter. Then the teams traded touchdowns through the late third quarter. Lampasas answered Needville’s next three touchdowns. Late in the third quarter, the Jays reached the Badger three-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Cuffie led a group of tacklers to bring down Stredick on the three-yard line on second down. On third down, Isaiah Rhodes and Keagan Richardson nailed Stredick for no gain. Cuffie and Dax Brookreson defended on a fourth-down incompletion in the end zone to give Lampasas the ball. A 97-yard sustained scoring drive gave Lampasas a 52-31 lead. Each team scored two more times before the clock expired. The Badgers tied a school record, set in 1993, for most wins in a season. They went into a rematch with Liberty Hill with 12 wins. DEC. 7 REGIONAL FINALS AGAINST LIBERTY HILL BADGERS 49, PANTHERS 34 Lampasas earned a school-record 13th win and the second state semifinal appearance in school history. An improved Panther run game was no match for the Badgers’ explosive passing attack. Whitehead threw six
touchdown passes for over 400 yards. Porter caught three of those scoring passes, one of which was featured the following week on ESPN. Brenton Webb caught two TDs, and Mike Murray’s one touchdown reception earned the first points of the game. Liberty Hill kicker Mason Shipley, a Hawaii University commit, made field goals from almost 40 yards on the Panthers’ first two drives. But since the Badgers had touchdowns on their first two drives, the Panthers were playing catch-up from the get-go. Lampasas led 21-13 after the first quarter and 35-19 at halftime. Liberty Hill’s 426 rushing yards kept the game competitive, but the Panthers were 0-2 passing in the entire game. Clayton Bever saved his most impressive game for the end of his career. Playing injured, he made two touchdown-saving tackles after catching runners in the open field. He also intercepted a pass to put the game on ice. Brister also had been banged up in practice but played throughout the game. Freshman Aden Rascoe made his varsity debut with a tackle on a kickoff. Richardson had a forced fumble and fumble recovery, and Rhodes recovered a fumble on a two-point conversion attempt. STATE SEMIFINALS AGAINST CARTHAGE BULLDOGS 49, BADGERS 42 Lampasas’ greatest season on record ended against one of the greatest high school programs in Texas. One week later, Carthage went on to win its seventh state championship in 12 years. The Bulldogs have won 56 of their last 57 games, including a perfect 16-0 campaign this year. Even the 2018 state champ, La Vega, could not stay as close to Carthage as Lampasas did at New Caney. Carthage beat Lampasas by seven, scoring the winning touchdown with 13 seconds on the clock and then breaking up a Badger pass in the end zone as time expired. In the state finals, Carthage
Badgers’ 2019 postseason roster
JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD
Juniors John Long (79) and Owen Seaver (50) pressure Liberty Hill on an incompletion in the regional finals Dec. 7 in Cedar Park.
beat La Vega 42-28. Lampasas fought back from a 14-0 deficit against the eventual state champs to take a brief 20-14 lead in the second quarter. The Bulldogs’ first two scores came on an interception return and a long run. Whitehead connected with Porter to put Lampasas on the scoreboard, and Brister had a pick-six to tie the game at 14-14. Jerome capped off a drive with a two-yard run, and Lampasas led 20-14. Another interception return gave Carthage a 21-20 lead as time expired in the first half. Everts, with the best game of his career, answered a third-quarter Carthage touchdown with his own 40yard reception for six points. That scoring drive cut the Carthage lead to 29-27. In the fourth quarter, Carthage scored again but Cuffie’s rushing touchdown and Whitehead’s PAT kept it closer, 36-34. A passing touchdown extended the Bulldogs’ lead before Lampasas tied it with a pass from Whitehead to Everts and a two-point conversion pass from Whitehead to Porter. The teams were tied 4242 with 2:40 on the clock. That score remained until Kelvontay Dixon, the eventual state championship offensive MVP, scored one more time. His three-yard catch in very close coverage with 13 seconds to go gave Carthage a 49-42 upper hand. Everts made a determined fourth-down conversion, catching a pass in triple coverage on the Badgers’ last drive. But the final pass in the end zone was broken up, and Carthage advanced. Carthage was stacked with athletes, from the quick Division I recruit Dixon to a starting offensive line that averaged over 300 pounds.
JEFF LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD
Cade White (8) forces an incompletion in the end zone against Carthage’s Kelvontay Dixon in the semifinals in New Caney. A week later, Dixon was named Offensive MVP of the state championship.
B12
LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD
lampasasdispatchrecord.com
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019
Lampasas should contend for deep run in 2020 Twenty-three players on the Badgers’ final 2019 varsity roster are eligible to return next season. Troy Rogers will be entering his fifth season as head coach in his hometown. His system is firmly in place. Lampasas’ top rusher (Jack Jerome), passer (Ace Whitehead) and linebacker (Case Brister) are expected to return, along with the team’s two biggest
linemen (Caden Thrift and allstate first-teamer John Long). Lampasas will stay in 4A Div. I, while Carthage will drop to 4A Div. II, according to “snapshot” enrollment numbers released by UIL. New districts will be announced Feb. 3, 2020. The quarterback and linebacker positions are likely to be Lampasas’ strongest strongest units. Inside
linebackers Brister and Keagan Richardson combined for 351 tackles. Both were in their first full varsity season. Whitehead has 10,749 total career yards at quarterback. Receivers will be the unit hardest-hit by graduation in 2020. Lampasas will lose Air Force Academy commit Cameron Everts, plus Jaylon Porter and Brenton Webb -who combined for about 3,200
receiving yards this year. The Badger JV team has won district two years in a row. Lampasas’ varsity record has improved each season since Rogers’ first year here: 2016: 1-9 2017: 2-8 2018: 7-5 (6-4 in regular season) 2019: 13-2 (9-1 in regular season)
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Fans packed the stands in New Caney, near Houston, for the Badgers’ state-semifinal game against Carthage.
‘Every home game is special ’cause whenever we travel to other stadiums, you never see the same amount of passion for the high school teams there.’ Dustin Engdahl
Badger senior defensive lineman
‘If town support was a competition, we’d take 1st any day. Gotta love the Badger community.’ Badger guard John Long
Posted on Twitter the week of the state semifinals
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The water tower on Nix Road in Lampasas is illuminated with a blue light, celebrating the football team’s success. Earlier this year, crews painted the school’s Rockin’ L logo on the tower.
LHS football coaches Head coach Troy Rogers Offensive Coordinator Heath Naragon Defensive Coordinator Sam Waldrip Special Teams Coordinator/ Inside linebackers’ coach David Brister Offensive line coach T.J. Cleavinger Defensive line coach Shane Doege Outside linebackers’ coach Craig Hammett Safeties’ coach Tanner McLean QB Coach Justin Reeves Running backs’ coach John Rogers Inside receivers’ coach Logan Simmons Outside receivers’/cornerbacks coach Jonathan Vanliew Bold: Lampasas graduates