Even though it might not be Friday night lights yet for Straughn’s Middle School Tigers football team, head coach John Evers said look for a much-improved bunch this season on Thursday nights.

“I like the group of kids that we’ve got,” Evers said. “I think they’re excited about playing this year.”

The Tigers started practice in full pads Aug. 9, and until then, the head coach hadn’t decided who is playing where on the field.

“I just generally size them up when we start in pads,” Evers said. “I think we’ll be a lot better in our skill positions at quarterback, running back and wide receivers.”

Straughn has three returning starters on the offensive line, and two skill players in the back field.

This season, SMS will play Andalusia Middle School, Opp Middle School and Red Level.

Evers said the goal right now is to “get better every day and every game.”

“I look at middle school football where we’re trying to get them ready for Friday nights,” he said. “This year, (Straughn High School) coach (Trent) Taylor and coach (Ray) Wilson have been very involved in helping me with the team.

“We just want to get better every week,” he said. “It’ll be a true test for us every time we play.”

The Tigers will play a jamboree game Thurs., Aug. 23, at home, and then they will play at Red Level on Aug. 30, in their first game of the regular season.

In September, SMS will have games on Sept. 6 vs. Andalusia; Sept. 13 at Opp; Sept. 20 vs. Red Level; and Sept. 27 at Andalusia.

Then, on Oct. 2, the seventh-grade Tigers will hold a jamboree game at home.

Straughn will end its regular season on Oct. 4, at home against Opp.

All games start at 5:30 p.m.