The Fort Valley State Wildcats suited up and hit the practice field for their annual intra-squad scrimmage. Fans lined the sideline of the field to get a first hand look at this year's squad.
The game-like atmosphere is designed to give the players a feel for playing with loud crowds and officials again.
"We have officials here and they're calling offsides, they're calling holding penalties," explained head coach Donald Pittman. "We're just trying to let them know what will happen if you take a shortcut."
Coach Pittman said the number one goal was to stay injury free.
"We did lose a starting lineman. We don't know how extensive his injury is, but we hope he'll be ok. It didn't look too good."
Fort Valley has not released the name of the injured lineman. Despite possibly losing a man up front, Pittman said he is ready for kick-off.
"I feel very, very upbeat about it. I feel we have a chance to play with Delta State and that's who we're focused on right now. I think we have an opportunity to play with them."
Fort Valley opens the season on September 1st against Delta State at noon.