SELMA — As the Selma High School football team finished its workout Thursday, the players’ dinner wasn’t far away.

Hamburgers and hot dogs awaited the team and about 30 members of the community in what has become a weekly event since Leroy Miles took over the program.

“The attitude has changed,” the Rev. Darryl Moore, pastor of Second Baptist Church in East Selma said, “It’s important the kids know that win or lose the community is behind us.”

The cookout was the second one the team has held and Moore attended because the team extended a special invitation to area pastors this week.

The players’ parents will be the special invitees next week, but the entire community is invited every week.

“It’s going to enhance their enthusiasm,” Moore said. “What they’re doing here will make a big difference on and off the field. Selma has so much talent, and they need the community to get behind them.”

Saints quarterback Darion Alexander said the cookouts have been a good opportunity to interact with people and show what the team has been doing in the offseason.

“We get to show people we have spirit,” Alexander said. “We’ve been really motivated and working hard. Everybody is excited about the football season.”

The cookout takes place each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the softball complex on Franklin Street behind Selma High School.