According to Jimmy Soul, happiness has as direct correlation to ugliness.

Soul told us that a life full of happiness could be attained by simply marrying an ugly woman.

Perhaps. I’ll just take his word for it, though who knows?

However, I can testify from speaking to area football coaches this weekend that ugly wins make for happy football teams.

On the surface, there’s nothing too sexy about Waco High’s 9-3 victory over Round Rock Stony Point, or McGregor’s 19-16 overtime triumph against Salado, or especially Rosebud-Lott’s 12-7 win over Normangee in a soggy Cougar Stadium on Thursday night.

But beauty is only skin deep, and you don’t have to scratch the surface too deep to figure out why these programs are elated with these less-than-aesthetically-pleasing victories.

First and foremost, Class 4A Waco High took on the ninth-ranked team in 5A in Stony Point.

Waco High didn’t have a 100-yard rusher and only passed for 31 yards. In fact, the Lions were outgained by more than 150 yards.

But who cares?

Ernesto Guevara kicked a 55-yard field goal — by far the most eye-catching point on the game summary — Larry Jordan ran four yards for a touchdown with 2:17 left and Waco High left Waco ISD Stadium late Friday night with a victory over a ranked foe.

Lions coach Johnny Tusa called it a “king of a win.”

Like Waco High, McGregor lacked statistical superlatives in its victory over Salado.

The Bulldogs definitely specialized on things that don’t show up in a game summary, such as Larry Smith’s defensive play near the end of regulation.

McGregor coach Tim Seward said Salado quarterback Garret Ward broke away from the Bulldogs and appeared headed for a go-ahead touchdown.

“Larry Smith came out of nowhere, goes in there and knocks the ball loose and we get on it,” Seward said.

McGregor came up with another key defensive play in overtime when Hector Rodriguez forced another Ward fumble on a fourth-and-inches play from the Bulldogs’ 2. McGregor emerged from a scrum with the ball.

And that allowed Bulldogs kicker Dirk Gerhardt to boot a 42-yard field goal that clinched the McGregor victory.

Salado entered the game unbeaten and on the verge of the top 10 in 2A. Last season the Eagles thumped the Bulldogs, 29-7, when Salado pushed McGregor around in its home stadium.

Seward said his players remembered that and were determined not to let it happen again in Salado.

Mission accomplished, I’d say. And the Bulldogs probably don’t mind that Salado hadn’t quite reached a state ranking.

“If they’re not ranked, they should be,” Seward said. “I’m telling you, they’re as good as anybody.”

McGregor improved to 2-1, its only loss coming in the opener against a Rosebud-Lott team that’s looking better and better.

The Cougars moved their home game against Normangee up to Thursday night to get out of the way of Hurricane Ike.

Normangee came into Cougar Stadium ranked No. 7 in 1A, but left with its first loss of the season.

Rosebud-Lott didn’t light up its scoreboard, and Cougars coach Kyle Maxfield said quarterback Ernesto Flores didn’t have his best night. But Flores scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, and a big defensive stand at the end of the game gave Rosebud-Lott a sweet-smelling victory.

Lorena having ‘a lot more fun’

The Lorena Leopards could get used to this.

Lorena defeated Whitney, 26-6, on Friday night, winning for the second straight week and thus surpassing its victory total of 2007.

Leopards running back Jon Bennett sprinted 62 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Later in the half, Lorena QB Sky Dolezel threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Evan Ward, putting the Wildcats in a 13-0 hole.

Bennet added another long touchdown run, this one 44 yards, in the second half and Chase Snodgrass dove in from one yard out to help Lorena (2-0) distance itself from Whitney.

Lorena coach Ray Biles said his team still has a lot to work on and plenty of room for improvement. But he conceded that 2-0 feels pretty good at the moment.

“It’s a lot more fun for everybody,” Biles said. “The film sessions are easier. It’s a whole lot more fun atmosphere for everybody.”

Looking ahead

Some of this week’s top games include:

* La Vega at Abilene Wylie — The Pirates embark on a long road trip against a formidable foe for the second time in three weeks. La Vega fans can jump on the bandwagon, literally, by booking a spot on the Pirates booster club charter bus. For more information, or to make reservations, contact Tony Torres at (254) 379-5719 or Earline Keys at (254) 722-7429.

* Mart at Marlin — After taking down Teague on Friday, Mart goes after more 2A prey, this time in the form of the rival Bulldogs.

* Salado at Robinson — Both teams will look to rebound after Week 2 losses.

Robinson was productive in spurts in a 38-7 loss to powerful China Spring on Friday. But the Rockets gave up chunks of yardage on the ground, which they’ll have to correct to slow down Salado’s ground game led by a hefty offensive line.

cconine@wacotrib.com

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