Fifty-four players greeted coach David Kirkland and his staff for the opening of Bainbridge Middle School seventh grade football practice this season.

“This is the second most players we have had out for seventh grade football since I have been coaching,” Kirkland said. “The current sophomore Bearcats class at Bainbridge High School had 85 out when they were seventh graders.”

The seventh grade Bearcats will open their season Wednesday, Sept. 1 against the Thomas County Central Middle School seventh grade Yellow Jackets. Kickoff will be at 5 p.m. at Central’s Jackets Nest Stadium.

“Our seventh graders really have a lot of pride in their football program,” coach Kirkland said. “Now that the varsity Bearcats have their own practice field on their new campus, we are able to practice at Centennial Field and use the former ninth grade field house, which the young men keep neat and clean.”

Coach Kirkland likes the way quarterback and strong safety Tyrone Crump and running back and inside linebacker Elzimar Williams have looked in practice.

“Tyrone and Elzimar have both done a great job,” Kirkland said. “We have some big young men on our offensive and defensive lines who have been playing well.”