SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The Toros are working hard in hopes to make it to the playoffs for the first time. That goal is the motivation the players need to be out in the heat for summer workouts three days a week.

Players workout bright and early at 7 a.m. then head out to the field until about 10:30 a.m., according to Coach Bryant Vincent.

The team meets early in the morning to try to avoid the heat as much as they can while they work on fundamentals, conditioning and running.

One particular Thursday morning the temperature was about 80 degrees at around 9:30.

“It’s the weekend,” a coach shouted in order to motivate the team to hang in there during Thursday’s training, which is the last day of training for the week.

The team began summer workouts June 2 and will continue until fall pre-season practice begins the first week of August.

“Focusing on strength and condition,” Vincent said when asked what the team is trying to accomplish during training. “We’re trying to improve team chemistry and team unity throughout the summer.”

The team is constantly improving, according to Vincent.

“We’re trying to take it to the next step,” he said. “The team has done a great job working to take that next step.”

The team also had a successful spring training.

“We’re just trying to improve and get better each day,” Vincent said.

The team is very motivated and excited about training and working hard to be the best they can be.

The 10 coaches have the team very motivated in helping them become the best they can be. Coaches stood at different stations set up on the field and the team would break into groups and work on one drill, then advance on to the next.

“Our goal is plain and simple — to make the playoffs and have a winning season,” Vincent said.

During workouts the team has speed, cone and box drills and practice drills with hurdles, ladders and diagonals, according to senior quarterback Logan Rogers.

Players even notice the progress the team has made due to the training and coaching.

“We’ve gotten a whole lot better since last year,” Logan said. ”We work out then come to work on conditioning and running out on the field.”

Hunter Adams, senior free safety, is very excited for the fall season. When asked what the number one goal for the fall season was, he and Rogers together replied, “playoffs!”

”We’re working hard,” Adams said.

The coaches gave several water breaks during the workout. Players kept their water bottles and sports drinks handy on the hot and humid morning and many even had gallon water jugs in order to keep hydrated in the heat. Many would also pour water over their head and neck in order to stay as cool as possible.

Vincent described how the team is up against some good teams this season.

“We know we’re in a tough region, but that’s what we set our sights on,” Vincent said when asked how things are looking for the 2008 season.

The Toros were 4-6 for the 2007 season, according to Logan.

Unfortunately the school’s new football field will not be ready in time for any of the fall season games. According to Logan, coaches told the players the new field would not be ready for the season this year at all.

“We just don’t worry about it because there is nothing we can do about it,” Vincent said.

The Toros have 26 seniors and a total of 90 players for the season. They will play their first game in Bay Minette against J.O. Johnson High School from Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 28.