Morgan Academy head football coach Brian King isn’t expecting any surprises when the Senators open the season Aug. 28 at home against Pike Liberal Arts.

“We know what we had coming in,” said King, who is in his first year as head coach. “It was just whether they came to work out during the summer.”

Pike Lib will be a strong test for the Senators after capturing the AISA Class AAA state championship over Fort Dale Academy.

Pike Liberal Arts’ season ended at 12-1, a school-best mark in the program’s 38 years.

King said 40 varsity players have been lifting weights, doing conditioning drills and running the sidelines since June 1. Forty junior high players also have worked out.

“The numbers have been good,” he said. “It’s been a college workout, 2 1/2 hours.”

The Senators also have tested their endurance in the hot temperatures.

“They’ve done really well against the heat,” King said. “We are trying to be careful, though. When we stay outside, we have to keep hydrated.”

Ironically, the heat hasn’t made the workouts bear down on the Morgan players, King said.

“The first month seemed like it took a long time,” he said. “The last month has moved fast. We’re ready to play.”

Inside the field house, the Senators have been pressing the weights, and King is pleased.

“As far as the weight room, I couldn’t ask for anything more,” he said.