In the premier issue of Friday Night Football Texas, the Badgers were ranked 34th in the magazine’s list of the top 50 Class 3A teams. Lampasas also was picked to win the District 25-3A championship after snapping a 20-game losing streak in 2009. Anticipation for the upcoming Badgers’ football season is building.

So is the hype.

After being predicted to reach the Class 3A state semifinal game by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Lampasas was given an additional preseason compliment by the staff of Friday Night Football Texas magazine who put the Badgers in their top 50 state poll.

Lampasas was ranked 34th in the publication’s premier edition.

Considering the team is coming off its first playoff appearance in almost a decade, the accolades should bring a smile to any Lampasas fan’s face.

But the FNF staff did not stop there.

The Badgers also were picked to win the District 25-3A title in their first season since the University Interscholastic League’s reclassification of districts.

Texas Football ranked Lampasas second in its district predictions.

While the praise is impressive due to the fact the team suffered through back-to-back winless seasons in 2007 and 2008, the display of respect is even more noble when taking into account the level of competition the Badgers will be facing.

Burnet -- who Texas Football has picked to win the district -- reached the regional semifinal game last season before being eliminated by Burkburnett.

Despite posting a losing record of 4-5 in 2009, the Liberty Hill Panthers are accustomed to winning and are the most decorated team in the district with a pair of state championship trophies (2006 and 2007).

Llano is also familiar with deep playoff runs after it reached the Class 3A regional semifinal game in 2007.

The Bulldogs, Panthers and YellowJackets are slotted by FNF to finish second, third and fourth, respectively, in this season’s district race, with Taylor and Salado to follow.

The magazine points to the experience of key offensive players -- including linemen Rafael Cazares and Dustin Yoho, and quarterback Colton Perkins -- as positives for the Badger squad but notes the team’s defense must improve.

Lampasas gave up 285 points (28.5 per game) and an average of 353.9 yards in 10 games.

The Badgers lost five all-district first-team members to graduation, including running back Edward Hall, utility player Aaron Reyna, defensive lineman Carter Burks, linebacker Rush Seaver and punter Brandon Abbott.

Cazares is the lone all-district first-team selection returning and is a big part of the Badgers’ preseason appeal. The 6-2, 240-pound guard was placed on the preseason offensive lineman watch list by FNF after Texas Football selected Cazares as a preseason all-state member in its summer edition.

The Badgers will run primarily the slot-T offense again this season after riding the scheme to a 4-7 record (3-3 District 25-4A) in 2009 before Austin McCallum posted a 58-28 victory to end Lampasas’ postseason run in the bi-district round.

The Badgers will begin two-aday practices Monday and have scrimmages against Smithville (Aug. 14) and Waco Connally (Aug. 20) scheduled before opening the season Aug. 27 at Manor.

Lampasas opens district play Oct. 8 at home against Burnet.