GOOD HOPE — Chris Moss couldn’t remember when it happened last.

Alan Dunkling didn’t know the answer either.

It’s been that long since Good Hope High’s football team didn’t open the season with a fall jamboree — so long that no one on the Raiders’ coaching staff knew when it happened last.

Moss wanted that trend to continue this year. But for reasons that were out of his control, the Raiders head coach was unable to make it happen.

“It’s been a while since we haven’t played (a preseason game),” Moss said. “We were going to play one this year. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way. That’s just how it is. It’s something we’ll have to get past.”

Not playing a preseason game doesn’t mean Good Hope won’t be prepared for its first opponent — Cullman County rival West Point.

But at the same time, Thursday night’s season opener will be the first time this year’s version of the Raiders have faced a live opponent.

“We’ve scrimmaged against each other,” Moss said. “That’s pretty much it. We haven’t done anything in an uncontrolled environment.”

So if Good Hope has any last-minute kinks to iron out, the Raiders will have to adjust on the fly — making any necessary changes during the game.

But working all the bugs out isn’t the only concern for Moss. The Raiders coach has also been thinking about the emotions and jitters that typically go along with the first game of the season.

“Naturally, that’s something you’re going to worry about,” Moss said. “You’re going to worry about everything from jumping off-sides to timing.”

Moss plans to address those concerns this week.

“We’ll talk to the guys about that kind of stuff this week,” he said. “The main thing is that they’re prepared for the mental aspect of the game.”

Moss believes a preseason game would have benefited his team. But the Raiders coach also believes there are some bright spots to not playing a jamboree.

“We’ve had guys get hurt from playing in those things,” Moss said. “A few years ago, Coach Dunkling lost a guy for the entire season.

“But at the same time, our guys are ready to play. They’re tired of beating and banging on each other. These guys want to go up against someone that’s not wearing a red jersey for once.”

Good Hope may not have had a preseason game on the schedule, but that doesn’t mean the Raiders weren’t doing something football related.

According to Moss, Good Hope finished out a strong week of practice Friday. And even though rain will probably keep the Raiders inside this week, Moss still plans to make the most of what little time remains.

“We had a really good week of practice last week,” Moss said. “I don’t think we’ll get to go outside this week. The rain will probably make us practice inside. We don’t want to get anyone hurt from going out in the rain.

“We’re going to do what we can this week. You just have to make the best of what you got.”

With Thursday’s game looming, West Point has grabbed the Raiders’ undivided attention. And no one in Good Hope’s locker room has forgotten about what happened in last year’s season opener against the Warriors.

But how could anyone forget? It was a game where the Raiders were their own worst enemy.

Carrying a comfortable 14-point lead into halftime, it looked like the Raiders were in control of their own destiny.

As it turns out, they were.

Good Hope lost five fumbles in the second half, allowing West Point to score 20 straight points. The Warriors went on to win the contest 20-14

“Yeah, we actually watched that last week,” Moss said. “It’s a good example of what happens when you shoot yourself in the foot.”

Last year’s game film isn’t the only way Good Hope’s players have gotten a glimpse of West Point. The Raiders’ entire coaching staff, along with several players, went and watched West Point’s preseason win over Vinemont last week.

So was Moss able to gather anything from the game — besides the fact that West Point has installed a new offensive scheme?

“What I saw was a pretty good football team,” he said. “I saw a team with a lot of seniors. It was a group of players that looked like they knew what they were doing.

“They looked really impressive.”