By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

With the first game of the season fast approaching, the Dallas County High School football team is ready to hit someone else for a change.

The Hornets are rapping up preparation for their jamboree game Friday night at 7 p.m., as they will hit the road to face Calhoun High School in Letohatchee, Ala.

“We’ve just been focusing on doing the little things,” said Willie Moore, head coach of Dallas County High School. “We’ve been focusing on fundamentals like running, blocking, tackling, … breaking down, staying low and pursuit angles.”

Moore said he will learn a lot about where his team is after they play the jamboree game.

“We’ve been trying to focus on hitting and locking up, but it’s been a chore because we’ve beat up on each other for three weeks now, but now it’s time to hit someone different,” Moore said. “It’s going to kind of give us a feel for where we are going into the season.”

Moore said he’s been proud of the effort his team has given in practice, but there’s still room for improvement for the young Hornets team.

“We’re not were we need to be, but of course, we’ve got about 38 players and out of those 38, 27 of them are freshmen and sophomores,” Moore said. “We’ve been pleased with the effort. We feel like we’re going to get better as we go.”

Moore said he’s not quite sure what to expect from Class 2A Calhoun, but he knows his team will be looking to improve and find some leadership.

“We’re just out here trying to find a leader to lead this team,” Moore said. “When you don’t have but five or six seniors, it’s been a little bit different for us. We’re really searching for a leader that’s going to lead this team on the field.”

Moore said he and his staff feel the Hornets are on the right track heading into the season.

“We’re really pleased with the effort, the kids have worked really hard and we’re in better shape now,” Moore said. “We feel like we’re heading in the right direction.”