The Louisiana Rangers finished their first season with a 5-9 record. In 2002, the team went 8-6, including an 81-64 win over Houma and an overtime loss to Tennessee. The team played their first playoff game at Ohio Valley, losing 51-32. The following year, the Rangers became the Beaumont Drillers and began the season with a four-game winning streak. However, the season took a turn for the worse and the Drillers finished at 6-8, missing the playoffs. In 2004, the team had two notable wins; a 73-3 drubbing of Waco and an 84-77 overtime win at Utah. Despite an 8-6 finish, the Drillers did not qualify for the postseason. In 2005, after a 6-8 finish, which included a 4-1 start, the team actually did qualify for the postseason. The Drillers earned the right to play the undefeated Odessa Roughnecks. The Drillers were defeated, 74-23. The following season brought more mediocrity. The Drillers won close games over new rival Katy, Arkansas, and Twin City. The problem was that most playoff teams blew Beaumont out of the water. The team also benefited from a forfeit and shutout victory over a replacement team to close out the regular season. Beaumont met up with Katy again in the playoffs and Katy got the victory, 55-23.