PHOTO BY RICHARD AKRIDGE LHS senior running back Edward Hall carries a pair of defenders as he advances the ball during the Badgers' scrimmage at Glen Rose. The Badgers will be playing the same teams they competed against last year, but that is about the only thing that has not changed for Lampasas during the offseason.

With a new coach at the helm, a new offensive scheme on the field and a new campus to call home, the Badgers hope the biggest change that occurs in 2009 is in the record book.

After suffering through consecutive winless seasons during the previous two years, the Badgers parted ways with Ryan Bailey and handed the head coaching reins to Athletic Director Joey McQueen, who now serves both roles.

The veteran coach has a knack for turning programs around and is ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

"I thought I was here to be just the AD, but it all kind of evolved into asking me to be the AD/head football coach, and I was excited about that," McQueen said. "Some people might say, 'Well, he doesn't want to do that,' but I do. I'm excited."

With 20 years of coaching experience under his belt, including 18 in which he served the dual roles of AD and head coach, McQueen once again will attempt to resurrect a fallen football program.

Most recently, McQueen snapped Smithville's 31-game losing streak and proceeded to capture three wins after taking over. In 2003, he led San Angelo Lake View to its first playoff appearance since 1997.

In all, the coach has amassed a career record of 102-96-4 and advanced 13 squads to the postseason.

Viewing the program from a distance over the previous two years - the only time in his career when he was solely an AD - McQueen feels certain he has gained the proper perspective necessary to put an end to the Badgers' on-field futility.

After witnessing the Lampasas scoring struggles, McQueen immediately installed a slot-T scheme in hopes of "pounding the rock and controlling the clock."

The run-based offense relies on a heavy dose of misdirection and, in theory, will allow the Badgers to improve both their time of possession and rushing yards. Last season, Lampasas gained a districtworst 132.7 yards per game.

"As a head coach, you always have your favorite offense that you've run over the years, but you also have to be able to adjust to the personnel," McQueen said. "I just feel like, if we can control the football and give our defense a chance to [rest] and control the clock, then it's going to be better for us."

In order to be successful, however, the Badgers' offensive line play will be critical, as will, to a lesser degree, the collective contributions from the running backs.

"You can have a good running back, and he can make the line look good, but our offensive line has to be consistent and persistent," McQueen said. "Our plan is not to throw the ball a lot, and I like throwing the ball, but I also know that if you run, run, run, run, run and then have a play action then you can have as many yards throwing on five passes as you could on 25 passes [in another offense]."

McQueen has restructured his staff to help ensure his plans are executed to perfection.

Greg Porter and Clinton Burns will split the offensive coordinator position vacated by Justin Marcellus, while David Brister, Stephen Moseley and Kyle Black join the Badgers' football coaching crew.

A welcome return to the sidelines from last year's squad is veteran defensive coordinator Jimmy Randolph, who almost left Lampasas for a head coaching position at Twin Rivers.

"He could probably go anywhere he wanted to go because he's a very experienced defensive coordinator," McQueen said. "Thank God, he had [his daughter] Shelby when he did because she's a senior [at LHS]. That bought me a year."

While McQueen gained an additional season from his trusted DC, he lost 22 seniors to graduation, including a slew of alldistrict nominations.

Lineman Jesse Tobar was the team's lone all-district offensive first-team member, and Cole Ball departs after landing on the district's second-team offense. On defense, lineman Garrett Gould and cornerback Jonathan VanLiew both earned all-district first-team defense honors.

Lampasas also lost a total of 11 honorable mentions - five on defense, four on offense and a pair from special teams.

Some notable talent is returning, though.

Punter Brandon Abbot was a special teams first-team selection, and linebacker Rush Seaver made the district's first team on defense. Senior running back Brode DuBose will help carry the rushing load after being named to the district's second-team offense, as will honorable mention selection Gabe Terrell.

Quarterback Vann Millican, who also garnered 2008 honorable mention, returns as well for his senior season. Millican spent the summer entrenched in a position battle with junior Colton Perkins for the starting quarterback job.

Although the team still plays all its home games inside Badger Stadium, Lampasas will enjoy the luxuries of updated facilities, including a brand-new field house, weight room and locker room at the recently opened high school campus.

Additionally, the Badgers will sport a modified look as they trade in their old helmets, which were white with a blue stripe down the center and a Badger logo on each side, for a sleeker, metallic blue helmet with a white center strip and an interlocking LB logo.

"It's funny how materialistic things can change people's minds, but I'm excited about it," McQueen said. "We'll at least look good."