Excitement will be running high tonight when the Charles Henderson High School Trojans open their regular season against 4A Andalusia in Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium.

Although the stadium is not entirely complete, the details such as liability insurance and access were worked out late last week, but not in time for the Trojans to host Pike County in the stadium.

"We want to remind parents to monitor their children - know where they are - and to understand fully that that the upper decks are closed to the public," said Hank Jones, who has been working closely with city and Troy State University officials in coordinating the Trojans' games in the stadium.

Jone said the only access for admission would be through the south entrance, which is the main ticketing gates near the intersection of University Avenue and George Wallace Drive.

Parking will be open at the Trojan Areana parking lot, and around the baseball stadium, but Jones said the tailgating area (in the grassy area near George Wallace Dr.) will be closed.

"We will use the concourse area on both sides and the lower seating on both sides," Jones said. "We will not use the upper decks at all, and the south endzone will be closed and will not be used for seating," Jones said.

Teams and bands will enter the stadium through a side entrance near Tyne Daily Field House, he added.

Jones said he did not know if the Jumbotron would be in service for tonight's game.

Trojan Head Coach Hugh Fountain said his team is geared up to play in the stadium.

"They are excited about it and they're glad to get the opportunity to play in it," he said. "They've been looking forward to it - when you have to drive by it every day over the summer going to practice, you get your excitement built up."

Fountain said he hoped for a good crowd at tonight's game.

"It ought to be exciting for people to come out there," he said.

Charles Henderson isn't the only

schools opening regular seasons tonight.

The Pike County High School Bulldogs face off against 5A Eufala. The Bulldogs handed Eufala it's only defeat last season.

That game begins at 7 p.m. in Eufala and will be broadcast on WTBF-FM 94.7.

Goshen High School opens on the road against Daleville.