Andalusia head football coach Brian Seymore said the team has been working “hard” this summer during workouts in preparation for the 2011 season.

The Bulldogs have been meeting four days per week since June 6, starting at 6 a.m. and going until 9 a.m.

Players lift weights, go through conditioning and work on offense and defense three days per week. The other day, normally a Tuesday, is reserved specifically for skill positions — quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers — to run through 7-on-7 type drills.

“The kids are working hard,” Seymore said. “We’ve been satisfied with the attendance. The kids are showing up, and I know six o’clock in the morning can be tough on the kids, and it can be tough on the parents at times.”

Seymore said offense and defense days are for running different schemes and coverages.

“On an offensive day, we may come back and work our running game and different formations,” he said. “On defensive days, we look to install our fronts, coverages and pursuit drills. It’s a good way to work on the basic fundamentals you have to have to be successful.”

Andalusia’s first 7-on-7 contest is today, where Northview High School will play host to the Wiregrass 7-on-7 tournament — the tournament Andalusia won last summer.

Seymore said 7-on-7s are really beneficial for the players.

“I like 7-on-7s because you can really work on your offense and defense,” he said. “It also brings the kids an amount of competition.”

Another area the team is working on besides building muscles is building team chemistry between the players and coaches, Seymore said.

“The more they see us and are around us, they understand what we expect,” Seymore said.

Andalusia will move to a four-day lifting schedule in July.

“The rest of the programs in the state and the county are working just as hard as us,” Seymore said. “We expect to have a better year than last year, and that’s why you’ve got to come in and work.”