• Originally published October 26, 2009 at 11:36 p.m., updated October 26, 2009 at 11:45 p.m.

Louise coach Mark Stevens didn't have to remind his team that 26 seconds were left in the fourth quarter after quarterback Daniel Sulak had scored to go-ahead touchdown against Flatonia.

The Hornets had lost six straight games coming into Friday night's District 27-1A game in Louise in just about every manner possible.

Louise's six losses were by a combined total of 27 points and its two district losses were by a total of three points, with one coming to Shiner on a 46-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the other coming against Burton in overtime.

"We've been playing really good football teams," Stevens said. "We've been getting better every week. It's just a testament to the character of our kids and team captains. The is the best group of kids I've ever coached. There's no doubt that character shows."

Louise kicked off to Flatonia and two plays later the Hornets were celebrating a 21-17 win over the Bulldogs.

"I guess we broke the jinx," Stevens said. "We must have been storing some good karma in the bank. Flatonia really outplayed us. They got after us. But I felt like we've outplayed some of the teams in the games we lost, so I guess what goes around comes around."

Stevens admits having a hard time preparing the Hornets to play Flatonia, which is coached by Rodney Dowell.

Stevens was an assistant under Dowell before becoming the head coach at Louise last season.

"I would really prefer if the UIL put us in different districts in the next realignment," Stevens said. "I don't like playing against him. We're still running his system, but we've evolved a little bit since coach Dowell left. We've added a little option and the quarterback runs more."

Louise's win over Flatonia not only snapped its losing streak, but it also kept the Hornets in control of their playoff destiny.

"We told our kids the playoffs started for us last week," Stevens said. "From here on out, every game is a playoff game. I felt Shiner would be the one to beat in our district, but with the other four teams it would just come down to who played better that week."

Stevens doesn't anticipate having any problem getting his team ready for its final two district games, beginning with Friday night's game against Ganado in Louise.

Louise captured a 27-7 win in last season's "Battle of Mustang Creek."

"The kids will be fired up this week and that's the way it should be," Stevens said. "This is what high school football is all about. It's Halloween week, it's Red Ribbon week at school, and we have a big bonfire at the end of the week. I want them to enjoy the week and be ready to play on Friday night."

Around the area

Rice Consolidated quarterback Myles Dumont suffered a sprained medical collateral ligament on the final play in the first half of the Raiders' 21-13 District 26-2A win over Weimar.

Rice Consolidated coach Brad Dumont said Myles, who has passed for 1,302 yards and 11 touchdowns, is not likely to play again until the playoffs.

Wide receiver Mario Hull has moved to quarterback for the Raiders, who are ranked No. 10 in the state Class 2A poll and visit Hempstead on Friday in a battle for the outright district lead.

The outright district lead will also be at stake when Industrial travels to Hitchcock in 29-2A and Woodsboro hosts No. 8 Falls City in 31-1A.

Cuero remained No. 4 in the state Class 3A poll and Refugio stayed at No. 6 in the Class 2A poll.

Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6588 or mforman@vicad.com, or comment on this column at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

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