Bearcat football fans don’t have to wait until fall to watch a game on Friday night.

Friday, May 12, will be the culmination of two weeks of Bainbridge spring practice, ending with a game against Thomasville at Centennial Field.

The Bearcats and Bulldogs will kick off at 7 p.m. Admission will be $5 for students and $8 for adults.

Coach Jeff Littleton said the game would be a way to build excitement for the players, who will be playing a different opponent after practicing against each other for two weeks.

“They really want to put on a good show for the fans,” Littleton said. “The players would like to see the stands packed and cheering for them to get excited for a big summer workout.”

Spring practice officially begins Monday, May 1, with workouts in full pads mixed with workouts in just shoulder pads and helmets. It will be the first time Bainbridge players touch a football in official practice this year.

Winter workouts lasted 12 weeks and wrapped up recently. Littleton said the players have made considerable gains, especially in the freshman and sophomore groups.

“We have built some cohesion and some accountability,” Littleton said. “There have been some tough workouts, outside workouts, pulling sleds up big hills, flipping big tractor tires, functional strength things instead of just in the weight room.”

The idea is to build both mental and physical toughness, Littleton added, something that he hopes will transfer to the field come the fall season.

The Bearcats went 5-6 last season (3-1 Region 1-AAAA). With the departure of offensive coordinator Scott Roberts, Bainbridge will fill that void with a name yet to be officially announced, possibly by the time spring practice begins.

Starting running back and 4-star Alabama commit Dameon Pierce will be entering his senior season after scoring 20 touchdowns on 243 carries for 1,686 yards in 2016.