4 — MJ Smith-Dukes (Schuyler Wick/Tyler Morning Telegraph).

After an offseason of lifting weights, running drills and practices, it’s time to get started.

All Saints Episcopal School will be one of the first teams in Texas to get its football season underway Thursday night as the Trojans take on Carrollton Prince of Peace in the 13th annual Azalea Orthopedics and Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Tyler Football Classic.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Clyde-Perkins Stadium on the campus of Grace Community School, 3001 University Blvd, Tyler 75701.

It is the first of three games in the Classic. On Friday, host Grace Community will meet Canton at 7 p.m., while on Saturday Bishop Gorman takes on Garrison, also at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Classic are $8 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased at the gate at game time. No district passes may be used.

All Saints coach Drew Starnes is upbeat about the prospects of the new season.   

“Our program is very excited about our upcoming contest on Thursday against the Eagles,” Starnes said. “This will be a great test for our football team. We have a great respect for the Prince of Peace football program. They are a very well-coached and disciplined football team.”

After All Saints went 4-5 last year, the prospects are high for 2018.

“Our expectations for the season have not changed,” Starnes said. “Our goal is to continue along our path of developing a championship football program at All Saints. This contest on Thursday is very important in the process because it will show us where we are as a program. We know where we would like to end up at the end of the season. We just need to determine what it is going to take to get us there.”

Expected offensive starters for the Trojans include: quarterback Roland Poster (transfer from Tyler Lee); running back MJ Smith-Dukes; tight end Collin Gee; X receiver Russell Wynne; Y receiver Cody Brewer; Z receiver Daylon Lewis/Caleb Shotwell; B receiver Jackson Jordan/Nick Davis; left tackle Dustyn Rose; left guard  Alex Sinclair; center Bryce Mitcham; right guard Thomas Goughnour; and right tackle Smith Reynolds.

“Offensively, we are relying on our offensive line and backs to pick up defensive pressure so that we can take advantage of an aggressive defense,” Starnes said. “We will be an offense that spreads the ball around very evenly in the passing game and we will rely heavily on MJ Smith-Dukes in our rushing attack.”

Possible defensive starters include: cornerback Cordrell Radway; cornerback Brewer; linebacker Sinclair; linebacker Allen Schira; free safety Jordan; strong safety Shotwell; rover Davis; defensive tackle Sid Ireland; defensive tackle Smith Reynolds; defensive end Gee and defensive end Parker Bracken.

“Defensively, we are counting on all 11 players to execute their assignments on every play,” Starnes said. “Playing the triple option is very difficult and our defensive success will be determined by our discipline and ability to read our keys and react quickly.”

Starnes was pleased with the Trojans’ performance in the scrimmage with Mount Enterprise last week.

Davis led the defense with 19 tackles, including nine solo and five tackles for loss. Jordan had an interception.

Smith-Dukes paced the offense with 70 yards on 11 carries while Poster hit Shotwell for a 77-yard TD pass during the live portion of the scrimmage.

The Eagles play host to Dallas Shelton on Friday, Sept. 7, while All Saints plays host to Hawkins the same night.