The King’s Fork High School community, including alumni football players, will get to have a much bigger part in the Bulldogs’ annual Midnight Madness football practice on Aug. 8.

Bulldogs football coach Joe Jones has noted a lot of former players come back to watch the current King’s Fork squad go through its paces on the field in the middle of the night.

“It’s neat, it’s tradition, and I love it,” he said.

He recently got an idea to involve them more and help raise money for the KF football program at the same time by holding an alumni football game — either touch or flag — earlier the same evening.

“We figured this way we’ll get them there a little earlier, and we’ll let them make a donation to the football program and give them an opportunity to get out on the field again and play,” he said.

Jones plans to open registration at 9 p.m. on Aug. 8 and have it run for about half an hour. Alumni players would simply make a $20 donation to the football program and sign a waiver.

This would allow them to play in the game, get a snack from the concession stand and receive a Bulldog Card, which provides discounts at local establishments, but can even help get discounts out of town and out of state.

Jones said some King’s Fork coaches will be referees of the alumni game, which should run from around 10 to 11 p.m. and be quickly followed by the varsity team’s practice session.

There will be a $2 admission charge for spectators, who can then stay for the Midnight Madness practice, during which time the concession stand will be open.

In an effort to involve the community more, Jones said spectators will also be able to purchase Midnight Madness T-shirts, formerly only available to players and coaches. Bulldog Cards will also be for sale.

Jones encouraged King’s Fork fans to come out.

“It’s a fun time,” he said. “It gives them a chance to see how the football team’s looking for the upcoming season.”

It is fun for the players, too, as they practice in a cooler environment, perhaps while competing for a position on the depth chart.

“Most of the time, they say, if you’re out after midnight, nothing good happens after midnight, but this is something that’s good, clean fun,” Jones said.

The practice lasts until about 1:30 a.m.

“It’s a neat experience, it just requires staying up a little later,” Jones said.

For more information, contact Joe Jones at 650-2828.