Clovis senior Justin Graham searches downfield for a open receiver in Monday's 7-on-7 football scrimmage against Plainview at Leon Williams Stadium.

Clovis High defensive coordinator Darren Kelley breaks down the results of after Monday's 7-on-7 scrimmage against Plainview.

The Clovis Wildcats football team is definitely, at this point, a work in progress.

But that’s the entire reason there’s summer, which got off to a symbolic start with a 7-on-7 contest Monday night at Leon Williams Stadium.

Players hoping to wear the Wildcats’ purple when August rolls around spent a hot June night against Plainview — the first of home-and-home Monday night games between the clubs. Clovis returns the favor next Monday at Plainview.

No score was taken for the contest, but assistant coach Darren Kelley said things will definitely need to improve.

He told players following the game that it all starts with practice. They, he said, can’t practice at half-speed and expect to go full-speed in the game.

The 7-on-7 format lets the offense and defense get some cohesion together, and is mainly used by teams to strengthen their passing games.

Chad Roanhaus, son of longtime Wildcats coach Eric Roanhuas, has joined the staff. His presence does mean that the Wildcats will add some spread offense to their attack, but Kelley said Clovis will mostly remain a power running team.

“Our problem is we’re not deep at the running back position,” Kelley said. “But it’s early in the summer, too.”

At this point, the Wildcats are quarterbacked by senior-to-be Tre Orozco. The 5-11, 185-pound Orozco also expects to see time at the free and strong safety positions.

“We have gotten some practice,” said Orozco, who said the Wildcats have 20 practices this summer and five to seven 7-on-7 opportunities. “We need to work hard, and learn to go hard on first down instead of just on third down or fourth down.”

Kelley said the Wildcats want to play Portales later this summer, and go to some tournaments in July in Plainview and Roswell.

The Wildcats finished 5-7 last season, losing to La Cueva in the Class 5A quarterfinals.