With the 2012 football season fast approaching, the Cornersville Bulldogs are seeing progress on the practice field after donning full pads for the first time last week.

While Cornersville returns a number of starters from last year's squad that are familiar with CHS' offensive and defensive schemes, the Bulldogs have had several new players come out for the team this season that have a chance to contribute.

"It makes it easier when you have several guys back, but we have some new guys that we think can help us and we're trying to get them up to speed. We're just trying to get everything in right now," said Cornersville coach Ray Stocstill. "We work on fundamentals every day so we're trying to get our offensive and defensive schemes in so we're ready for our first ballgame. We've had a lot more contact this week now that we have full pads on, but we're not anywhere close to where we need to be."

After reaching the playoffs the previous two seasons, CHS endured an injury riddled 2011 campaign and finished with a disappointing 2-8 record, but did take some momentum into the offseason by winning their final two games of the year.

"Any time you can end the season on a positive note it helps you the next season. We beat two teams in Collinwood and Richland that have usually gotten the better of us in the past so that was something to build on. We lost several close games last year and weren't that far off from making the playoffs," said Stocstill. "We were hoping to make the playoffs for a third straight year, but we think we can get back there this season."

Cornersville's coaches have also been encouraged by the work ethic that the players have displayed during preseason workouts and on the practice field.

"We've been pleased with their attitude. We had a lot of guys show up for summer workouts and they've done a good job in practice so far," said Stocstill. "This bunch is fun to coach because they want to get better. We just have to bring it all together."

CHS football fans will have a chance to see the Bulldogs in action on Friday, August 10, when they face the Zion Christian Academy Eagles in the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Pigskin Preview at Preston Hopkins Field in Lewisburg.