WESSON – The summer has been a long one for area footballplayers who are working out this summer to prepare for the fallseason.

The Wesson Cobras, under Coach Tommy Clopton, are no different.They return five starters on offense and four on defense from lastyear’s team that finished 8-2 overall and runners-up in theDivision 6-2A race and advanced to the state playoffs.

According to Clopton, the Cobras are working out Mondays-Thursdaysin the early morning hours this summer. Clopton says they averaged37 players at the workouts during the month of June.

“That’s about normal for us,” said Clopton. “We have 12 stationswith different exercises. We alternate strengthening upper body andlower body.”

Asked about changes in the summer workouts Clopton said, “We wentfrom three days to four days. We basically stuck with the same planas last year. We take 50 minutes lifting weights and 30 minutesdoing agility drills for conditioning.”

Clopton likes the consecutive days with the players together tohelp them bond more as a team.

“We have had a really positive summer,” explained Clopton. “Theguys have been here. We’ve had 24 workouts and only six have beenmissed.”

Senior offensive lineman Hank Jordan (6-0, 240) is working atmaintaining his weight for the upcoming season.

“I like the bench press,” said Jordan of his favorite workout. “I’mworking on my lower body strength. We have to try harder. We haveto be better than the other teams.”

Dominique Johnson (5-8, 260) is another senior offensive linemanwho prefers the squat during the workouts. “It strengthens my legs.The workouts make us all better.”

Both players agreed the team improves from the summer workouts.

The players get many benefits from the summer program. “The kidsare different,” said Clopton. “Some (players) have manual jobs,some don’t. A lot of kids wouldn’t be in shape if not for thesummer program.”

This system worked well last year according to Clopton and heoptioned not to change anything.

“We’re only opening the weight room one time a day.” statedClopton.” Because our guys spent a lot time together last year,they bonded well last summer so we put our guys in the samesituation.”

Clopton is pleased with the dedication the players have made toattend the summer workouts.

“We’ve had a very good turn out and a strong show of commitmentfrom the kids,” added Clopton.

Officially, Wesson begins school Aug. 4. The first game of theseason sees Wesson traveling to Prentiss on Friday, Aug. 29.