Four local teams will take to the field at Straughn High School on Thursday for a round robin 7-on-7 football tournament.

Straughn, Andalusia, Pleasant Home and Florala’s football programs will kick off at 5 p.m.

Straughn coach Trent Taylor said the tournament presents a good opportunity for players to get some playing time before fall practice begins Aug. 3.

“I think it’s a good time to have it right at the end before we start practice,” Taylor said. “Seven-on-seven is what it is. It isn’t football by any stretch of the imagination. I’ve heard a lot of different people talk about it and complain about it this summer because sometimes people get real unrealistic with it. They do things on defense that they would never do during the season.”

Although that may be true, Taylor added the most important aspect of the tournament is the fact that it brings about a competitive atmosphere among the teams.

“It allows you to compete and that’s probably the best thing,” he said. “In our situation, we’ve got a new quarterback this year. It’s just another opportunity to get to see somebody else other than guys on his own team.”

The tournament will conclude at approximately 8 p.m.