Goshen’s pre-season scrimmage against Brantley doesn’t count in the official wins and losses, but don’t expect the Eagles to take the night off.

The Eagles unofficially open the 2013 football season against the defending 1A state champion, and while the players and coaches would love to knock off the highly ranked Bulldogs, head coach Bart Snyder said that is not the main goal for the night.

“We have plenty of things to work on, and things that need to be fixed,” said Snyder. “We want to work some kinks out, and most importantly come out healthy, that way we can hit the ground running next week to prepare for all those great athletes that Coach Holland has at Pike County.”

Goshen has tinkered with the offense in the first few weeks of fall camp, moving between a double wing set and spread system.

Snyder feels like the Eagles can be successful with either system, as long as they are able to get the ball in their playmaker’s hands.

“We have quite a few guys that are quicker than a hiccup,” Snyder said. “Taz (Terraino Griffin), Derrius Kite and Chub (Deangelo Orum) can all make busted plays turn in to positive gains. If we stay healthy, I like what we can do.”

The Thursday night scrimmage will feature the varsity teams for two quarters, B-teams for one quarter and junior varsity for one.

There will be no live kicking, and Snyder said that the Eagles will be “very, very basic” on both sides of the ball.

Brantley knocked off Goshen last season en route to the 1A state title.

The scrimmage gets underway at Bulldog Stadium in Brantley at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.