ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — “When I feel that chill and smell that wet cut grass, I’m back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads, Standin in the huddle listenin to the call, fans going crazy for the boys of Fall … took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood to get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall, King of the school man, we’re the boys of fall.”

Those lyrics to Kenny Chesney’s new country song will soon become reality to the 75 “Boys of Fall” that make up the 2010 Robertsdale High School Golden Bears football team as they face off against Gulf Shores in their season opener on Aug. 26 at 7p.m.

Capping off a summer filled with 6 a.m. workouts, numerous 7 on 7 Camps that included Samford University in Birmingham and University of South Alabama in Mobile and lots of strength and conditioning training, RHS football coach Scott Phelps thinks this year’s team will be first rate. “We have been working real hard and trying to teach these boys responsibility and produce not only good players but good citizens as well.”

Finishing third place out of 12 teams at USA’s 7 on 7 Camp was a big confidence boost for RHS and senior quarterback Caleb Sumrall, who didn’t turn the ball over once, according to Phelps. RHS made it to the Elimination Round but lost in the Semifinals 22-20 in OT against Milton, Fla.

“This was a good opportunity for our boys to see other teams and have a chance to compete in different places, especially for Sophomore Seth Sellars, who was able to complete a touchdown pass, and for several of our wide-outs and defensive players,” Phelps commented.

With 95 to 98 percent attendance for the summer workouts, Phelps is pleased with the team’s progress and is excited about the new season and all the positive changes that will come with it, including the inception of a new football club and the addition of seven new coaches.

Billy Mosley, president of newly formed RHS Bear Club, said the club has been active for about eight months and began after last season when a core group of parents wanted to help the team raise money. “Our goal from the beginning was to raise money for the team and provide a place for the parents and community to come together to support our boys,” Mosley commented.

Meeting every two weeks in the RHS field house, Mosely said the attendance has been pretty good and growing every week. Their two biggest fundraisers for the year, the Drawdown to be held on Aug. 14 at the PZK Hall, and the selling of signs for J.D. Sellars stadium, has been very successful.

“We have sold out of signs on three sides of the stadium and still some space left that will sell soon, I hope. The community is really getting behind us and very generously supporting us, which we are very thankful for,” Mosley said.

To further get the word out about the new club, a web site and facebook page has been created. The Mission Statement on the Bear Club web page states “Teaching Football Student-Athletes to: compete athletically at the highest level, strive to be dedicated learners in the classroom and on the field, be outstanding citizens on-campus and off, grow inwardly and outwardly through character development and leadership training, and develop a family environment within our team and community.”

All the meetings are open to the public and no membership fees or dues are charged. Right now , the meetings are held on Monday nights at 7 p.m., but once football season starts, meetings will be moved to Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. at the field house, Mosely said.

“We want to get the entire community involved. It starts with the parents and grows from there. We have a core group that has been helping in the off-season but we hope to get as many as we can to volunteer and be involved with our team this year,” Mosely explained.

However, none of these things with the Bear Club would have been possible, Mosely said, without the help and support of Theresa Bryant, RHS Principal. “She has been instrumental in getting us what we need and being our biggest supporter. We are truly blessed to have her on board with us. Such a tremendous asset to our club and what we are trying to accomplish,” Mosley said.

Also giving help and support to the club is Edward Cain of Cain Farms in Elsanor, who has been maintaining the field and getting it ready for the upcoming season. “We are so very thankful for Mr. Cain and all his hard work. It is quite a job to keep up the field and he has done an excellent job and has kept it in tiptop shape,” Mosley said.

Two of the biggest things to happen to the team this year are the addition of seven new coaches, new uniforms and a new helmet logo. Mosley said it’s been 10 years since the team has had new uniforms and the Seniors were allowed to design and vote on which style they wanted. They will still retain the maroon and gold colors but will be new and different, Mosley and Phelps said.

“The kids are so excited about the new uniforms and we were able to purchase home and away sets which is so nice, plus new helmets and cleats. The helmet will have a new logo, sort of a throwback to the older style. It will look really good. The kids play better when they feel good in a uniform they have designed,” Mosely said.

Not only is the team excited about new uniforms but also about the additional coaching staff. New faces to be seen on the sidelines this year include: Coach Lyle Henley, Strength training, from University of Alabama and Louisiana Tech, Coach Kyle Davis, Offensive Coordinator, Escambia County High School, Coach Greg Dodd, Defensive Coordinator, Foley High School, Coach Kurt Lawson, Offensive Line, Daphne High School, Coach Paul Jones, Defensive End, Faulkner State Junior College, softball coach, Coach Terrance Pinkney, Receivers coach, B.C. Rain High School, Coach Colby Cleckler, Freshmen coach, McGill-Toolen High School.

“This team is the heartbeat of the community and we want everyone to get behind them and support them this year.” Mosley said.

In addition to the varsity team, JV begins their season on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 6:30 p.m. against Daphne and the freshmen team before them at 5 p.m., also against Daphne.