Parr's backup Chad Ward proved to be more than an adequate replacement against Marlin in the opener, rushing for a team-high 101 yards on only 14 carries, scoring four times to lead all local players and earning a photo in the "Waco Tribune-Herald's" Central Texas Honor Roll Aug. 30. Named to Honorable Mention were lineman Ryan Lambert and wide receiver Daxton Swanson on offense and lineman Timmy Kemp, defensive back Reco Pardue, and linebacker Joe Stevens on defense.

Quarterback Danzel Wilson added four completions in eight attempts for another 95 yards, rushing for an additional 32 yards, while the defense chipped in with five fumble recoveries and Arron Brandon's 42-yard interception return for a score to seal the final margin after Ward's four touchdowns.

The Pirates jumped out to a 20-point halftime lead, aided by Eddie Gonzales's two extra points, and padded the advantage with Wilson's conversion run.

Next up on the #3 state-ranked Pirates's schedule was a first-ever trip to former 4A power Brownwood (#7 in state) Sept. 5 as LV pulled away from a 14-14 halftime behind a suffocating defense and 17 more points in a 31-14 win.

Ward again led the team with 154 yards rushing, while junior Tevin Thompson added 81 more, and Wilson ran for 45 with two TDs.

Brownwood scored first on a 17-yard pass before defensive lineman Timmy Kemp took a shovel pass from a Lion running back and set up Wilson's 22-yard TD strike to Caleb Hobbs. Wilson also scored in the second stanza on a one-yard run before the Lions tied the score with 1:59 left.

After a touchdown drive on their first drive of the third quarter, the Modocs recovered a Lion fumble and tallied again, then ate up most of the fourth quarter with one last drive that ended with a 25-yard field goal by Gonzales.

For his efforts, Ward was again named to the "Waco Tribune-Herald's" Offensive Honor Roll, while Daryl Curl, Ryan Lambert, Andrew Leija, and Will Samford were on Offensive Honorable Mention and Jose Fajardo, Kemp, and Reco Pardue on defense.

Last Friday, LV played host to Dallas Roosevelt and found itself in a battle...for about half the first quarter as the visiting Mustangs tied the game at 6-all after a flea flicker set up Ward's first TD.

The 59-yard TD pass for Roosevelt was its last gasp as the Modocs dominated the line of scrimmage and spread the offensive wealth around with the quarterback Wilson rushing for a team-high 75 yards, Tevin Thompson 70, and Ward 53 with two TDs.

Despite two fumbles, the Pirates ran at will on offense and smothered any further Mustang scoring threats, highlighted by Cody Williams's 40-yard punt return in the third quarter.

Thompson tallied shortly, followed by Wilson's 12-yard scoring strike to senior speedster Daxton Swanson, and his own TD scamper early in the final stanza to add to the team's 358 total yards.

Coach Willie Williams gave his second string ample playing time at the end of the game to prepare his team for a three-hour trip to Abilene Wylie Sept. 19 at 7:30.

Once there, the Pirates kept up their usual offensive domination but suffered four turnovers to drop their first contest to the 2007 state semifinalist Bulldogs, 22-20.

Ward and Thompson helped LV gain 142 rushing yards and score twice in the first half, but Wylie still led, 16-14, and padded its margin to 22-14 at the end of the third quarter before the teams traded turnovers.

In the final stanza, the Modocs drove 90 yards and scored on Ward's seven-yard run but missed the conversion for the final 22-20 score.