TIFTON — At 6 a.m., most of the lights in Tift County belong to street lamps, a few headlights and muted glows in a handful of houses. For most, the working day still has some to begin.

Not so at Tift County High School, where morning has already broken. Bright lights glow over the turf field at the mini-stadium. A solitary speaker in a far corner belts out tunes, but not too loudly. Work is being done and coaches’ instructions must be heard.

The Blue Devils are hard at work for their spring football practices, which began May 3 and culminate with a scrimmage at Crisp County May 19.

“I feel really good about it,” said head coach Noel Dean, who is entering his third season at the helm.

Even with the very early start, participation has been excellent, he said Friday morning. “We’ve had everybody here both days, so far, on time. We’re doing something everybody said couldn’t be done. We’re really proud of that.”

Numbers are good, he said, but even better are who are participating. Quality athletes are on the field, Dean said.

Players have been working with their position coaches, as well as running plays in the early sessions.

“We have 10 practice days,” Dean said, which include Saturday sessions. “We’re trying to have as many days in May [to work with the players].”

Work, of course, has been going on year-round. Tift has extensive weightlifting programs, to the level that they won their area with their new powerlifting team. Nearly all of the team are multi-sport athletes.

Summer work naturally follows spring. Tift will scrimmage Lowndes Aug. 11, with the regular season to start at Coffee Aug. 18.