AHS ready for jamboree
Published 11:31 pm Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Andalusia High School will join Luverne and Elba for the Elba Tigers Jamboree football game this Friday night at Elba High School.
All teams will play two quarters against each opponent participating in the jamboree.
The first quarter will comprise of those players that are on the first string; and the second quarter will comprise players on the second string.
“We’re trying to create the chance for everybody to get some playing time,” Andalusia coach Brian Seymore said. “It’s going to be two competitive teams we’re playing against. Both of them give a good effort and made it to the playoffs last year.”
Seymore said the players are anxious to get on the field after a long spring.
“I think our players are looking forward to it,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids that have something to prove, because we’re replacing four offensive linemen and replacing some quarterbacks and some running backs.
“You know, we’ve lost a lot of quality talent, but we’re eager to use the young talent we have and we’re looking forward to what will come in the season,” he said.
In addition to using some of the “young” talent on the team, Seymore said the spring jamboree game allows the coaches to get a good gauge of where the team is right now.
“We’re going to play a lot of kids and that’s our goal,” Seymore said. “We’ve got to get a good idea to see what the kids can do and if they are going to take that next step and be stronger and consistent from day to day.
“I’ve been impressed with our youth and as of right now, we have eight juniors that have played last year,” he said. “We started spring with 74 and we’re replacing a lot of quality individuals. I think we have the quality individuals to fill those roles.”
During the off-season, the Bulldogs have been in the weight room getting physically fit for the 2009 season.
“I’ve been really happy with our off-season workouts so far,” he said. “We’re trying to get as physically and mentally strong as we can in preparation for this spring game. We’re going to play teams that are definitely of high caliber. We’ll definitely get tested and I know we’ll make mistakes.”
One other thing Seymore said he is looking forward to Friday night will be the “toughness” of the players.
“I’m looking forward to see how physical they are as far as weight room strength and mental toughness goes,” Seymore said. “In Region 1, you’re going to have to be physical for 10 straight weeks. With our schedule, from the start to finish there is no week off.”
Luverne will play Elba in the first game at 6 p.m.; Andalusia will play Luverne in the second game at 7 p.m.; and Elba will play Andalusia in the last game at 8 p.m.