NATCHEZ — The Vidalia High School football team is coming off a tough 2010 campaign. The Vikings were a young team that won just two games last season, but those young players are a year older and using last season’s difficulties as motivation for 2011, head coach Gary Parnham said.

The Vikings are in the midst of their summer workout program, and Parnham said a majority of the players are participating in the workout, and they are working very hard to get bigger and stronger for the fall.

“We are having a pretty good showing,” Parnham said. “We have (approximately) 40 to 50 guys a day, which is pretty good, but we’d like to get them all. The ones that are coming in are working hard lifting and running after we lift.”

Parnham said this year’s Vikings squad will only feature seven seniors, but those seven have established themselves as leaders this summer.

“All seven (seniors) have been here working hard. They are giving the young guys good leadership,” Parnham said.

Parnham said the team started the summer program May 31 and will continue until fall practice starts in early August. They are working on strength, conditioning, speed and agility four days a week, he said.

“We want the players to get stronger and bigger during the weight program,” he said. “We also want them to be in good condition because if it’s this hot in June, it will definitely be hot in August, and they will be better adapted to deal (with the heat).

“Running sprints lets us judge what kind of fight (they have) when the season comes.”

Parnham said that he knows many of his players have prior summer commitments and summer jobs, but he tries to make workouts available to every player by offering them the option to attend either a morning or afternoon session.

“They all know they have to meet 85 percent of the summer workouts,” he said.

Parnham said some players will take family vacations or be tied up with other activities like summer baseball, and the 85 percent requirement gives them approximately two weeks to do those things, he said.

“Those that don’t quite make the (85 percent) will have extra work in August,” he said.

Parnham said it was tough on his players to struggle last season, but in order to get better next year they have to start now.

“Any championship coach will tell you it started in the weight room,” he said. “If they work hard on weights they will be less likely to fold up on the football field.”

The Vikings will try to get together later in the summer to do seven on seven to allow their quarterbacks a chance to throw, Parnham said.

Parnham said the Vikings already laid down the foundation for an improved season in spring ball.

“During spring training I was pleased with the team,” he said. “We have a bunch that listen and do what you ask. They get after it, and that’s all I can ask.

“Every day this spring I came in (to the locker room) with a smile on my face after practice. They are a quality bunch, and a pleasure to be around.”

Parnham said he thinks the Vikings’ hard work in spring and summer has made them better.

“I’m looking forward to the season. I feel like we’ve improved from last year.”