As July heats up so does preparation for the upcoming 2011 Dawson County High School football season.

The Tigers started training last week after a week off during the GHSA state imposed "dead week."

Skill position players started back with a frenzy, and traveled to Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. for an annual passing league. The Tiger quarterbacks, receivers and backs faired well against some pretty good competition from bigger schools in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

According to Head Coach Jeff Lee, the layoff didn't seem to affect the Tigers at all.

"I don't think it bothered us at all. Our guys have already participated in passing camps in June and have been throwing a lot during that time," Lee said.

While the skill players were in South Carolina, the linemen worked out. Coaches have been working on getting them stronger and more agile.

"We have had a good turnout in June for our workouts," Lee said. "We really expect things to pick up now that we are closer to school starting and the season is just around the corner."

According to Lee, the Tigers may host a football camp at the school during the last week of July. Whether it will be overnight or two-a-day practices was undetermined as of press time.

"Before camp starts we will install our basic schemes so that we don't have to reteach everything during camp. We can hit the ground running," Lee said.

Due to track and stadium construction, the juggling of game times and practice may be adjusted.

"We are not sure of when the track and stadium will be finished. I have been told it will be soon. We may have to practice some at the middle school until everything is finished," Lee said.

With a scrimmage scheduled for Aug. 18 against Greater Atlanta Christian, the Tigers are closing in on the beginning of the 2011 campaign.