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There’s been a whole lot of winning going on for the Bulldogs in recent football seasons — and it hasn’t been limited to the fall.

"We try to come out of the gate strong," Kearney head coach Greg Jones said. "We jump right into our camps after Memorial Day, and we try to accomplish as much as we can in June."

Jones’ Bulldogs came out strong all right. Starting with last month’s team camp at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Kearney had three separate groups combine to post an 8-0-1 record in live action on the final night of the week-long camp.

Kearney also saw early returns on hard work with quality showings during summer 7-on-7 drills. The Bulldogs defeated several larger-sized schools and competed well against the likes of perennial powerhouses Blue Springs and Olathe (Kan.) North.

"It’s kind of scary beating all the teams we did, but it’s nice to win," Jones said. "It’s not about winning and losing right now. It’s about seeing how we compete. It’s about giving kids a chance to prove themselves. We saw a lot of good things."

Although most of the live work was completed before the July 4 weekend, weight lifting and conditioning sessions have continued this month. Summer workouts will come to a close with a final camp set for July 27-31 at the high school practice fields. Players will then have a few weeks off before the start of preseason practices Aug. 10.

"We ask so much of the kids anymore," Jones said. "We do so much in June that we try to back down in July and give them some down time to enjoy the end of the summer where the kids can be kids. Then hopefully they’ll come out hungry in August."

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