The last time the Rudder football team was 0-1, it picked up the first varsity victory in school history. This time, the Rangers are 0-1 in District 24-3A and are looking for their first-ever district victory as they host Caldwell at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Merrill Green Stadium.

"The thing I'm most proud of my [players] about is they never quit," Pier said. "That's how it's been since we started. The thing we need to do is take care of the football, play smart ball.

"Caldwell has a good program. They're a perennial playoff team and they too have a great chance of getting in the playoffs this year. It's going to be a real challenge."

Caldwell (3-1, 1-0) has one of the best rushing attacks in the Brazos Valley, ranking third out of 19 schools with 1,283 yards on the ground. The Hornets are successful largely because of two running backs -- Kysan Woolverton and Nelson Scott. Woolverton is third in the Brazos Valley in rushing with 587 yards, while Scott is 23rd with 274 yards. Both also play linebacker, which gives them a mentality unique for running backs.

"They're big, strong men," Pier said. "They run hard and they've got good speed. Both of them are good football players"

On defense, the Hornets are led by Logan Pharis, Matt Mueller and Josh Courtney. Pharis leads the team in tackles with 32, while Mueller has 31.

Caldwell is giving up an average of 197.3 rushing yards a game.

Last week, Rudder (2-2) stumbled out of the gate in the district race, falling to district favorite Navasota. Rudder was within a touchdown in the first half at 14-7 and was relatively close in the second half at 35-14, but the Rangers couldn't slow the Navasota offense.

Caldwell is similar to Navasota in style of play, but Rudder hopes it learned something from the previous game. One lesson, in particular, is to limit turnovers.

"When you get up against a good football team, you can't have turnovers," Pier said. "That will get you beat. Those rascals got hot and they were rolling. When you play a team like that, you have to play a flawless game to beat them. We didn't and the result was what it was."

Rudder continued to do a good job of forcing turnovers, as cornerback Dominique Robison made a nice tackle and stripped the ball after Navasota's running back broke free down the field. That play set up Tre Hammond's touchdown at the end of the ensuing drive.

Rudder will have to continue tackling well to beat physical teams like Caldwell.

"We have to tackle well to win," Pier said. "If you get there in the wrong body position, they're gone. That's something we focus on every day in practice, getting in your body in the right position, getting there in control, hitting and wrapping up. We've got to keep improving. We have five games left and our goal is to keep improving, to get out there and win some games. It's one week at a time with us."

RUDDER FOOTBALL

* Friday's game: Caldwell (3-1, 1-0 District 24-3A) at Rudder (2-2, 0-1), 7:30 p.m.

* Radio: KZNE's (95.1 FM) HD-3 station and online at www.rudderrangers.com