Middle school football players have been waiting long and hard to have the chance to “hit” someone other than themselves.

They’ll get that chance tomorrow night as Straughn, Andalusia, Red Level and Opp’s Middle School football teams clash in a preseason jamboree at Straughn High School’s football stadium tomorrow night starting at 5:30.

The jamboree format includes each team getting to play two quarters of about eight minutes each.

Andalusia Middle will face Red Level Middle in the first half and SMS will face Opp Middle in the second half.

“We’re looking forward to the game,” SMS head coach John Evers said. “All coaches say that it’s a good opportunity to hit somebody else but ourselves.

“We don’t have a lot of numbers, but we have a good group of players,” he said. “I think the boys are ready.”

AMS head coach Tommy Wright said tomorrow’s game will give his younger guys a chance to get some playing time.

“It’s a good opportunity to let some of the younger kids who don’t know what to do to get some game experience and see what we got going into next week against Opp,” Wright said.

Some areas the coaches said they’re looking forward to getting a good look at lie see how well their players play on the field.

“We’re just trying to develop these kids,” Red Level head coach Tony Ingram said.

Evers said he thinks SMS will be a lot “quicker” on defense.

“I think we’ll be able to move the ball a little bit,” he said. “Our offense will be a little bit better. Defensively, we’ll be a little quicker.”

Wright said he would like to see the older players help out the younger ones.

Concessions will be available and cost to attend the game is $4.

“Everybody come out and see some good football,” Evers said. “It’s the first game for everybody. Everybody’s excited.”