The Charles Henderson Trojans plan to keep the game plan simple against the Pike County Bulldogs Friday night in the Pike County Classic.

However, Trojans head coach Mike Dean said that what is be basic to his players and coaches, may not look that way to others.

Charles Henderson bases its offensive attack out of the spread, and uses a multiple defense that shows a variety of different formations and fronts.

“We are going to play enthusiastic, intense, fired up football,” Dean said. “But at the same time, we are not going to show our multiple packages. We do some things in the kicking game, and won’t show that either. We are just going to get things right for week one.”

Dean’s dry-erase board in his office is filled with plays and defensive lingo, some of which will be used on Friday, and some that won’t.

“We will be pretty vanilla on offense, but we are a spread offense,” Dean said. “We do a lot of things that some folks may not call basic. And that right there on that board is base defense. For some people it might look like a lot, but for us it’s not.”

Dean is focused on X’s and O’s and preparing for the season, and not getting caught up in the rivalry of the scrimmage contest.

The Trojans and Bulldogs played during the regular season in every year from 1967-1999, and have met in the pre-season game every year since.

While the players know the game doesn’t officially count, the desire to win is still very much there.

“We are a little banged up right now, so we are really excited to see someone with a different color jersey on,”said John Johnson, a senior wide receiver. “We know that rivalry is there. When those lights come on, we will be ready to go.”

Charles Henderson routed the Bulldogs 40-2 last season in Brundidge.

“Our main goal right now is to start the season 2-0 overall, and 1-0 in region,” said Dean. “If we don’t do that, then what does a win over Pike County really mean. Don’t get me wrong, we are going to come out ready to play, because we are competitors and want to win. There is just no reason to fire all your guns in a game that doesn’t count.”