In the state of Alabama, there is no such thing as an off-season when it comes to football.

Every second spent away from planning, learning plays or pushing the body to get one more pound of muscle, one second faster or stretching out stamina can mean the difference in a ring at the end of a season or a goose egg in the win column.

So while there are still quite a few weeks until kickoff to the 2012 season, several teams took the time to participate in the Central Alabama Football Camp at Chilton County High School on June 28.

Those participating in the camp included four local teams in Chilton County, Isabella, Billingsley and Maplesville, as well as New Brockton, Leeds, Randolph County and Childersburg.

Most teams are just getting into the swing of summer practice and are far from season form, but most coaches agree the opportunity to play another team is always welcome.

“For us, it’s just getting to play somebody other than ourselves,” said Billingsley coach Tyson McLean. “We get to see different schemes.”

The teams ran 7-on-7 drills, with the choice to keep score or not. Most opted to just play, which allowed coaches to use each of the seven games to analyze the skill positions.

“It gives the defensive backs a better look when you’re passing every down,” said Chilton County coach Donnie Hand. “We got better as the day went on; our depth helped us.”

Maplesville coach Brent Hubbert, coming off a strong run through the playoffs last season, said the team still has a few improvements to make to repeat last year’s success.

“I thought we were a little tired,” he said. “We’ve had a little more depth in the past. We’ve got to run faster routes, crisper routes. Got to catch some easy balls. We caught some hard ones, but we dropped some easy ones, too.”

Hubbert went on to say he was impressed with some things he saw.

“All 10 players [we used in the 7-on-7] stepped up,” he said.

In addition to the 7-on-7 games, a lineman competition was held. Anthony Neece and Eric Moates, both of Chilton County High School, were named the Outstanding Offensive and Defensive Linemen, respectively.