High school football is just nine days away from beginning and the Dawson County Tigers are firing on all cylinders in preparation.

Head Coach Jeff Lee's team recently returned from football camp at Black Mountain, N.C.

"The camp was one of the best preseason team camps that I have been a part of. The players and coaches were focused on football with not a lot of distractions. The setting really contributed to the atmosphere that was evident during our stay there," he said.

Lee said the chance to bond as a team played in his decision to take the team so far away from home. The North Carolina camp was slightly north of Asheville, N.C.

"The chance for us to get way as a team, where the players were able to bond as team members, was too good to pass up. As tough on the players as camp was, we were still able to give them some R and R, as a half a day of swimming and a team building ropes course really brought our team closer," Lee said.

"I think we probably were ahead of our schedule as we concluded camp. I think the defense had installed everything and the offense had the base package in," he added.

Lee said he saw some notable performances while the Tigers were at Black Mountain.

"I really liked the performance of Chris Sayler, who seems to be more focused this season, Jackson Putnam had an excellent camp from his strong safety position, Corey Voyles had a good camp at linebacker as well along with offensive lineman Chase Wilson. One of the freshmen that stood out, from a very talented class was Carson Weatherford," Lee said.

"I feel that we are a better team for having experienced the camp at Black Mountain, and the returning players for next season are already demanding a return trip. So I think we will definitely be returning."

After a week back in Dawson County and the rigors of not only practicing but players getting in a routine of school back in session the team scrimmaged on Saturday in Tiger Stadium.

On a very humid morning the Tigers took to the field at 8:30 a.m.

"I thought we started slow on offense, but as the morning went on, we started to get in a rhythm. Both ninth grade and varsity defense were flying around making a lot of plays," Lee said.

Lee was pleased with the play of his defense on Saturday.

"The play of our defense so far in the preseason has been a pleasant part of the season so far. The defensive staff has worked extremely hard at getting better each day out," he said.

Lee was concerned about the number of dropped passes on offense as a lowlight of the play of his offense.

"We will concentrate on us for the next couple of days before turning our attention towards Towns County and the scrimmage. We still have a ways to go before I could say that we are ready," he said.

The team will travel to Towns County on Friday night for a preseason scrimmage against the Indians.

Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.