The DeKalb Middle School Saints have been on the field over the past few weeks, donning pads and helmets and preparing for their upcoming season. Coach Tad Webb told the Review his team has been training hard and getting ready for some good games.

"They’ve been working hard," Coach Webb told the Review. "We’ve been doing weight lifting and conditioning throughout the summer, and at practice we’ve been implementing plays and doing some drill work for the last couple of weeks. They’re coming along, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do."

When asked about the team’s experience, Coach Webb said there are several returning players. "We do have several that have come back from last year. We’ve got a few that have some playing experience, and we have some that would have got playing experience last year, but they got injured. They’ve been around the program, and have an understanding of what’s expected, so we’re looking for some big things from some of them."

As far as the lines and the size of the team, Coach Webb said the Saints should be fine. "Across the front, on the line, we’re not overly big, but I don’t think we’re going to be so outsized except for maybe a few teams. As far as running backs and skilled positions, I think we’re a normal-sized team."

When asked if the team’s positions have been set yet, Coach Webb said several positions are still open to those players that can step up to the challenge. "We’ve got some guys in mind we’re looking at for certain positions, but the field is still open for somebody to open their eyes and jump in there."

When asked about the 2014 schedule, Coach Webb said there will be a couple of new teams to face this season. "As far as the strength of the schedule, we’ve still got five of the same teams we played last year, but we did pick up two new teams. We picked up Prescott in Cookeville and Southside out of Lebanon."

"We’ve got seven games, and then the eighth game depends on how we finish within the conference. We will cross seed if we finish first, and play in a playoff type deal. And if we finish third through fifth, then we’ll just play the eighth game."

Coach Webb said he is still waiting for the team to get fired up and show the fire he wants out of the team. "That’s what we’ve got to get to," Webb said. "We’ve got to play with passion."

The Saints’ first regular season game will be Aug. 14 at home against Prescott Middle School.