By Brian Tynes | Selma Times-Journal

SELMA — Selma High School’s football team has been working out twice a day, sweating and lifting weights all to improve its chances in the coming months.

By all accounts, it’s going to work.

“We have strong guys,” coach Leroy Miles said. “The strength and conditioning program was here.”

Miles said he has 55 guys coming regularly, many every day, to lift weights.

One of the guys coming every day is sophomore defensive tackle Kendall Thomas.

“It’s way more intense than it was last year,” Thomas said. “I’m definitely getting stronger. I can lift more, and I can sqaut more. We have more people coming. More people want to be a part of this.”

Thomas said his motivation is to outwork the teams Selma will face this year.

“Some teams probably aren’t doing anything right now,” Thomas said. “Come August, we won’t have to hit the weight room as hard because we’ll already be in shape.”

Miles said the players and coaches have remained dedicated all summer and he’s looking forward to reaping the benefits of that hard work.

“They are excited, and they never complain,” Miles said. “They’re enjoying the laid back style, but when the fall comes, they won’t get that side of me any more.”