Andalusia football coach Brian Seymore said his team’s first week of practice went “real well” and that the team has made good progress.

Since Mon., Aug. 3, the Bulldogs have been braving the heat while running drills and going through formations on offense and defense.

“Most of the offense and defense installations are already done,” Seymore said. “It’s just we’re adding to it as far as offensively with new formations and different motions.

“We’re also working more on blocking schemes in different formations,” he said. “That’s basically our skill guys — our receivers, running backs and slot guys. The blocking scheme changes a lot according to where they line up and that’s what we’ve been working hard toward.”

The Bulldogs already face an injury setback, even though the first game of the regular season is not until on Aug. 28 when they host Straughn.

Starting quarterback Adam Zelensky dislocated his shoulder Thursday, the first day the teams were allowed to wear pads.

“Unfortunately in our first inside drills, he pulled the ball on the option,” Seymore said on how Zelensky got hurt. “He got a good shot from Shane Dorsey. We try to play our good defensive players against our good offensive players and he took a shot on impact and it dislocated his throwing shoulder.”

Seymore said Zelensky reported to the emergency room Thursday night, where the doctor reset the joint.

“He went (Monday) morning and got a report and everything looked good and he felt like he can start rehab,” he said.

As far as when Zelensky will make a return to action, Seymore said he is “optimistic.”

“Ken Chambers and Deion Akins are going to be ready in case he is not back for game one,” he said.

Seymore said during practice in that first week, the team accomplished their goals that were set.

“I thought we practiced and played pretty physical in the spring,” he said. “Once we got in pads, our No. 1 goal was to try to keep that physical mentality up. I thought we accomplished that. We’re going to continue to work on that because I think that’s a huge aspect when it comes to peaking, especially with our schedule.”

Thursday, the team started to practice in pads. Usually, this is when players begin to compete for their positions.

Seymore said the team could have started in pads during practice on day one, because they were ready.

“I think our kids looked forward to it because you’ve got a chance to go out there and compete for positions and it’s a way to prove yourself,” Seymore said. “That’s the only time you can actually go back to full speed.���

The Bulldogs’ pre-season game against Elba will be on Aug. 21.

Seymore said the preseason game provides a good gauge as to his team’s preparedness going into the final pre-season week of practice.

“I guess once you achieve the physical nature of the game you want to be as mentally sharp as you can, approaching the jamboree game,” he said. “That’s when you find out has all the work paid off and have you done everything you can to fill the best team possible. That’s your main goal is to make sure you peak before your season starts.

“We’re going to see how they react in a game situation with somebody besides their own teammates.”