SIKESTON -- The fifth annual SEMO Coaches Association Contact Camp will begin Thursday and conclude Friday at Sikeston High School Public Stadium.
Nine teams are slated to take part in the full-contact scrimmages which start at 4 p.m. and will last until after 7 p.m.
Along with Sikeston, Cape Central, Kennett, Dexter, Perryville, Charleston, East Prairie, Kelly and Caruthersville will make up the teams attending.
"I think for us it does two things, you see where kids are against real competition," Sikeston football coach Kent Gibbs said. "You have something to build towards each day and at the end you see where some bright spots are or where you may need to sure some things up."
The format of the camp will be the same as it has the last four. Each team will play three games against similar competition. Both teams will rotate 15 plays on offense and 15 plays on defense. For the younger squads, they will alternate eight plays each.
Both days will have a schedule of games starting at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. with their last game starting at 7 p.m.
"You get the first look at who your starters for the upcoming season may be," Gibbs said. "It's a good way to build some enthusiasm because after this camp, we'll take three weeks off."
Following the contact camp, the Bulldogs will take three weeks off and then meet for a camp for grades 9-12 on July 22 starting at 8 p.m.