MERKEL — Second-year coach Wes Wood led his Badgers through an 0-10 season a year ago after inheriting a schedule that was so difficult, it bordered on ridiculous. 

Among Merkel’s six non-district opponents were perennial powers Hawley (10-2), Albany (9-3) and Cisco (8-5). Toss in a playoff team from Ballinger, a difficult game with a private school (Lubbock Trinity Christian) and a district opener against state semifinalist Wall (13-2) and it’s easy to see the Badgers’ dilemma.