Thirty-three years, five presidents and many a social media platform have come and gone since the last time that Lampasas made it this far into the playoffs, but Badgers head coach Troy Rogers said that the focus will remain where it’s been throughout the playoffs.
Amid the outpouring of support from the community and even an appearance on a pregame segment of Monday Night Football, Rogers said the Class 4A, Division I No. 6 Badgers will focus on one game at a time.
But this one just happens to be a state semifinal matchup with No. 2 Carthage.
“We’re just trying to be 1-0, and our kids have bought into that and understand that,” Rogers said. “Our focus all through the playoffs has been great, and if you start looking down the road, you aren’t going to be there.”
The Badgers (13-1) are in unfamiliar territory making it to the state semifinals for the first time since 1986 and winning 13 games for the first time in school history.
Rogers, a 1994 Lampasas graduate, recalls that season vividly.
“We all traveled around, and wherever the Badgers were playing, we were there,” Rogers said. “I have fond memories of those days.”
Standing between Lampasas and a trip to Jerry Jones’ Taj Mahal are the Carthage Bulldogs — a Texas high school powerhouse of its own.
Rogers called Carthage (14-0) athletic and well-coached and knows that the Badgers have to be aggressive from the opening kickoff.
“We’re going to have to make sure we start the game fast,” Rogers said. “We can’t sit back and try to get a feel for it. We have to come out, play our game and get after it from the start.”
Lampasas junior quarterback Ace Whitehead received headlines with a seven-touchdown performance in a 49-34 win over Liberty Hill in the Region IV title game last week.
Whitehead leads the Badgers offense compiling 3,867 yards and 51 touchdowns while completing 237 of 331 pass attempts. Whitehead has also rushed for 701 yards and 21 touchdowns on 119 carries.
Rogers said that while Whitehead gets most of the media attention, there are no egos on the team.
“I think everyone is playing really good football right now, and they compliment each other well,” Rogers said. “They’re not selfish, and that’s sometimes an issue when you’ve got one football and several guys who want it.
“Our guys are playing good football.”
Junior running back Jack Jerome leads Lampasas’ ground game with 206 carries for 1,351 yards and 12 touchdowns. The receiving duo of Cameron Everts and Jaylon Porter combined for 2,455 yards and 34 touchdowns this season.
Badger sophomore Case Brister wrecked havoc on opposing offenses amassing 190 tackles, including 147 solo, and a team-high 11 sacks and 23 quarterback hurries. Senior free safety Clayton Bever leads the team with five interceptions.
The Badgers and Bulldogs kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in New Caney.
