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The Lanett football team has been, as their coaches call it, business as usual since starting summer workouts back in the middle of June. Thursday was the team’s final workout of the week and of the first month of conditioning.

“I’m pleased with the effort they’ve been giving,” head coach Clifford Story said. “We have a lot of guys that have stepped up in areas, some that didn’t play for us last year and some that played for us last year. They’ve taken on some leadership roles.”

At the start of conditioning, players were split into three groups — skill players, linemen and the junior high teams.

One group was in the weight room, while the others worked in the gym, performing footwork drills.

In the weight room, players did four sets of four power cleans with an added front squat, step ups and deadlift jumps.

Even though they were delayed because of the pandemic and the workouts are forced to be different, Story believes the Panthers are ahead of where they were at the middle of July a year ago.

“I’m pleased because last year we were behind at this point,” Story said. “Kristian had shoulder surgery and a lot of the guys weren’t in sync with each other. They know the offense now because coach [Stephen] Jackson is coming in for his second year. They understand what it’s going to take to be successful.”

Along with Jackson’s offense now in its second year, Story also believes the seniors have been a reason that the Panthers are ahead of where they were last year.

“[I’ve seen] a lot of leadership. They’re pushing the kids,” Story said. “I still need about two or three more of them to take their game up, take their work ethic up and be a little more vocal. That’s the thing with me, I like to have coaches on the field, especially for those guys that have been in the program for a minute. Trey Abner, Seidrion Langston and [Larontavious] Tae-Tae Hurston, those guys are doing the things they’re supposed to do. Kadarius Zachery, I need him to be a little more vocal. He doesn’t talk as much as I want him to, but he gets the job done.”

After working in the weight room, players went to the field and broke into two groups.

The linemen performed one-on-one drills with another member of the group. Five players would form an offensive line, while the defensive side would try and beat them off the snap and get to the quarterback.

After going through the line twice, players switched roles, going from either offensive line to defense or vice versa.

The skill players performed seven-one-seven drills, allowing quarterbacks a chance to throw routes to receivers in coverage. Along with Jackson, former quarterback Tre Story helped coach the quarterbacks.

The Panthers will condition for two days next week before starting fall camp on July 27.

Along with nearing the start of fall camp, Lanett defensive end Caden Story moved up in the latest 247Sports Composite and ESPN 300 rankings.

In the ESPN 300 ranking, Caden is now the No. 167 player in his class, No. 7 in Alabama and No. 25 at his position. In the 247Sports Composite, he is the No. 153 player in the class of 2022, No. 8 player from Alabama and the No. 10 strong-side defensive end.

“It means a great deal,” Clifford Story said. “As I’ve told them, if they have the athletic ability, then I’m not paying for them to go to school. They know that, and they push themselves to be the best at whatever they choose to do. We’re pleased with him. He just has to make sure that he continues to work and doesn’t get complacent and feel that he has arrived. He knows what it takes and the expectations are going to get higher and higher for him.”