Two-a-days don't begin for another three weeks. So for tri-state die-hards, a chance to get in on some football in July is worth getting excited for.

Fort Madison's first annual Corn Country Lineman Challenge provides an opportunity for the unsung heroes of the gridiron to see where they stand against their peers.

"These are kids that don't get a lot of limelight, but games are won and championships are won for their efforts, so it's nice to give them a little bit of attention with something like this," said Hannibal head coach Mark St. Clair.

Without a football gracing the field, the men of the trenches are more than willing to endure anything thrown their way.

"We've got five events, from the one man sled to the gator pull...a tire flip, and agility courses," said challenge coordinator and Fort Madison assistant coach Andrew Troxel.

Yet it's a stepping stone for when bigger things arrive in September.

"It's getting to be that time, we've got camps starting up and two-a-days in August, so we're excited, but we have a lot of work to do," said Troxel. "But it's nice to have a little fun before we get to that."