Joey McQueen knows Justin Wiley is a talented head football coach.

That is why the Lampasas High School athletic director hired him.

In 2003, when McQueen was athletic director and head coach at San Angelo Lake View he hired Wiley to be an assistant. The same year, the Chiefs reached the playoffs for the first time since 1997.

One season later, the two celebrated the school’s first district championship since 1996.

When McQueen departed to take over the program at Smithville, he brought Wiley along.

Although the duo shared in success, they also stood together through difficult seasons.

During his 19-year career, McQueen has only missed the playoffs five times. Two came during his tenure at Smithville.

After McQueen relocated to Lampasas, Wiley took over as the Tigers’ head coach.

Saturday night, the pair will face off for the first time when Smithville visits Lampasas for a 7 p.m. scrimmage; subvarsity scrimmages begin at 5 p.m.

But McQueen has lots of ties to his former school.

Six of the Tigers’ current coaches were on McQueen’s staff, and the incoming junior and senior class were under his direction as seventhand eighth-graders.

And even though the contest is only a scrimmage, McQueen wants to make a statement against Smithville.

“Not because it is Smithville, but just from the standpoint that I want to see if we are meeting our expectations,” the Badgers’ head coach said. “I hope we kick their tail, but it is not because I’m playing [against] those kids.”

With the season-opening kickoff rapidly approaching, McQueen is excited to finally test his team against anyone other than itself.

“We’re ready [to play someone else],” the coach said. “When we do chalk talk, the kids are focused. They are picking up stuff and answering questions, which makes me feel good.

“As long as they are focused and work hard, good things will happen.”

Smithville has 10 returning starters from its 2009 squad that posted a 5-5 overall record, but struggled in district (1-4).

During the Badgers’ intrasquad scrimmage last Friday, McQueen attempted to mimic the Tigers’ spread offense and split defense in order to prepare for Saturday’s encounter at Badger Stadium.

And he expects his players to remember what they practiced.

“It better be intense,” McQueen said. “We are going in to get confidence for our kids.

“This is another stepping stone we need to progress, and I think we need to go out there and be physical, swarm to the ball and be excited.”

While the reunion with his former staff members and players will be fun for McQueen, there is no doubt he is thrilled with his current situation.

“This is my 20th year, and I’ve had some good coaching staffs, but this is one of my best,” McQueen said. “[It is a great feeling] to not have to coach your coaches.”

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There is no cost to attend the scrimmages between Lampasas and Smithville, but donations are encouraged. All proceeds will benefit the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Benevolence Fund.

To date, over 500 schools have participated in similar events, known as “Our Day to Shine,” and have raised more than $120,000.

The Benevolence Fund was established as a way to allow the THSCA board of directors to assist athletes and coaches with special needs.