Former Cold Springs football coach Rod Elliott speaks with a player.

Spring is slowly coming to an end.

And that can only mean one thing.

Prep football season is officially on the clock.

With spring practices wrapping up earlier this month, the nine local programs in The Times’ coverage area will head into their respective summer workouts ready to improve in every way possible ahead of the 2018 campaign, which is set to begin in late August.

Today, we’ll take a deeper look at Addison, Cold Springs and Cullman.

See Friday’s print edition (Fairview, Good Hope and Hanceville) and Saturday’s print edition (Holly Pond, Vinemont and West Point) for complete coverage of all area squads.

And don’t forget to look for features, columns, fun lists and other preview pieces throughout the summer.

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Addison

% 2017 Record: 10-3 (5-1 in Class 1A, Region 7)

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% Key Losses: Ben Robinson, Tyler Borden, Braxton Preuitt

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% Key Returners: Zayne Guthrie, Logan Wilkins, Luke Chambers, Gage Gilliland, Matthew Harris, Hayden Ray, Trace Thompson, Grant Rice, Jeb Robinson, Tim Trussell and Caleb Crider

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% Spring Jamboree: Addison 22, Falkville 13

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% Coach Speak: “We got to look at a lot of new faces, because we had some who didn’t participate due to injuries. I think we learned more this spring than we’ve ever learned. I was just pleased with how our spring went. Looking at it, we realized we’re going to change our approach this summer. We’ve got to be in better shape. I feel like we had some injuries last year that conditioning would’ve helped. So we’re going to get in tip-top shape. It’s not going to be about strength, it’s going to be about conditioning.” — David Smothers

“I think our team’s strength is our experience. We weren’t having to teach assignments from scratch this spring, because most of these guys have played multiple snaps the past two years. I will be curious to see who steps up and becomes the running back, though. We usually have a guy who can carry it 15-25 times per game. That’s one position I’m definitely looking at.” — David Smothers

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2018 Schedule

% Aug. 24: at Curry

% Aug. 31: vs. Piedmont

% Sept. 7: at Winston County

% Sept. 14: vs. Red Bay*

% Sept. 21: at Sheffield*

% Sept. 28: vs. Vinemont

% Oct. 5: at Colbert County*

% Oct. 12: vs. Tanner*

% Oct. 19: at Tharptown*

% Oct. 26: vs. Hatton*

% Nov. 2: Open

* Class 2A, Region 7 Game 

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Cold Springs

% 2017 Record: 1-9 (0-6 in Class 2A, Region 7)

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% Key Losses: Brian McAnnally, Jon Campbell, Seth Edgeworth

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% Key Returners: Will Swann, Brodi Williams, Mason Harris, Calvin McNabb, Francisco Ayala

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% Spring Jamboree: Hanceville 27, Cold Springs 7

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% Coach Speak: “We had a young team last year, and we’re still really young. But the spring went much better than I anticipated. We got back to playing physical football. Offensively, we were fantastic. Now, we dropped the ball on the ground twice against Hanceville, but we were physical and moved really well.” — Rod Elliott

“This squad is willing to play a physical type of football. We got away from that last year, and that was their coach’s fault. I think our running backs running the ball physically is going to be key to us being successful. Again, we got away from that last year … but it’s going back to that this year.” — Rod Elliott

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2018 Schedule

% Aug. 23: vs. Meek

% Aug. 31: vs. Berry

% Sept. 7: at Southeastern*

% Sept. 14: vs. Sumiton Christian*

% Sept. 21: at Aliceville*

% Sept. 28: at Appalachian

% Oct. 5: Open

% Oct. 12: vs. Winston County*

% Oct. 19: at Tarrant*

% Oct. 26: vs. Sulligent*

% Nov. 1: at Vinemont

* Class 2A, Region 5 Game 

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Cullman

% 2017 Record: 7-4 (4-2 in Class 6A, Region 7)

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% Key Losses: Fletcher Jennings, Josh Skinner, Carson Freeman, Zak Stewart, Tyler Nunnelley, Carson Jones, Dale Justice, Shane Cecil, Collier Hulsey, Kasey Murphree, Miguel Tizapa, Isaac Rodriguez

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% Key Returners: Jayden Sullins, Ezra Burks, Riley Bradford, Seth Gable, Peyton Colvard, Carter Borden, Jordan Ray, Dylon Wallace

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% Spring Jamboree: Intrasquad Scrimmage

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% Coach Speak: “I think we’re going to rely on our senior nucleus. This class is a great, hardworking group of guys. For them to set the tone … it means a lot to them. It’s a really exciting time to be a Cullman Bearcat right now. The sky’s the limit for this bunch.” — Matt Plunkett

“This team is hungry to be successful, and they’ve really bought into discipline, hard work and good attitude. They really have a sense of positivity and class that we want our program to be known for across the state. So for me, my biggest takeaway was our kids were hungry to buy into that new attitude. That’s what I want and what I expect as a head coach, and we’re building it one day at a time. We need to get a little stronger and a little more in shape, but we’ll handle that. Our attention is on Jasper on August 23.” — Matt Plunkett

“I got to know our guys, and I’m very, very happy with our coaching staff. They’re well-prepared and very organized. They have a deep care and love for Cullman football. You could see that in their effort, and I’m excited about it.” — Matt Plunkett

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2018 Schedule

% Aug. 23: vs. Jasper

% Aug. 31: vs. Mortimer Jordan

% Sept. 7: at Decatur

% Sept. 14: vs. Columbia*

% Sept. 21: at Albertville*

% Sept. 28: at Hueytown

% Oct. 5: vs. Athens*

% Oct. 12: vs. Muscle Shoals*

% Oct. 19: at Hartselle*

% Oct. 26: at Fort Payne

% Nov. 2: Open

* Class 6A, Region 7 Game