THOMASVILLE — The Thomasville Bulldogs’ quest for redemption began Thursday as they held their first fall conditioning practice. First day of practice in full pads is August 1.

Thomasville finished 7-5 last year but lost to Dublin 23-7 in the second round of the Class AA playoffs. The Bulldogs also dropped their first two Region 1 games to Brooks County and Fitzgerald that saw Thomasville win its final two region tilts to finish No. 3 in the region.

“I think the team understands, as far as the kids and community and coaches, 7-5 and second round for a lot of folks is OK and a good year, but for us, it’s unacceptable,” said Bulldogs coach Zach Grage. “We understand we can’t finish third in the region again. We owe it to our fans and community to host a playoff game or as many as we can, which means getting the No. 1 seed. You can tell that extra little hunger has been there as far as the weight room and their approach this offseason.”

The Georgia High School Association set Thursday, July 25 as the earliest date that high school teams can hold a conditioning practice. According to Grage, the team is ready to get fall practice under way.

“We’re really just trying to get through the July time right now,” Grage said. “You go through spring, you go through June, you go through July, you get through the OTAs and the 7-on-7s and it’s like, alright, lets turn it on for real and crank up the season. I think there’s a little anxiety where you want to get going, especially with this team where the expectations are really high and you’ve got a sour taste in your mouth from last year. We just want to strap it on and see what we have to offer.”

On Monday, July 29 through Wednesday, July 31, the team will practice from 5-7 p.m. On August 1, the team’s first practice in full pads will be held at 6 a.m., and the second will be held later that night around 5 p.m.

“I’ve had more fun coming to work this summer than I’ve had in probably all of my years, just from the camaraderie among the staff, our kids really buying in,” Grage said. “These seniors were the ones that started with me as freshmen. This is all they’ve known. Most of my staff has been with me all four years. You can tell, we have that business-like approach but also have a good time doing it.”

Thomasville will hold an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, August 9 and a preseason scrimmage against the Pelham Hornets on Friday, August 16.