Rather than debuting their new uniforms, the Pepperell Lady Dragons will be wearing their practice jerseys during Thursday’s scrimmage game at Cedartown.

But don’t let the informal attire fool you.

The preseason contest, which starts at 5 p.m., is going to represent an important step for the young Lady Dragons during their preparation for the regular season.

“The scrimmage is going to give us a chance to see our girls in a game-like setting,” said Pepperell coach Jeff Rickman, who will have only one senior on his roster. “It will allow us to put some players at different positions and see how they respond.”

Numerous other local teams will also be involved in scrimmages this week, including cross-town rivals Model and Armuchee, who are hooking up for a preseason contest Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Model.

Next week, each of those four teams — Pepperell, Cedartown, Armuchee and Model — will officially open their seasons by competing in the Model Lady Blue Devil Classic at Alto Park.

The event, which runs Aug. 14-16, will also feature Coosa, Darlington, Rome, Calhoun, Trion, Sonoraville and Bartow County teams Woodland and Cartersville.

“The tournament is important because it gives the teams a chance to play a lot of games in a short (amount of time),” said Model first-year coach Ryan Strickland, who will serve as the tourney’s director. “And one of the best parts is that it will allow (the teams) to get some things hashed out before getting into region play.”

Strickland, one of several new coaches in the area, said it hasn’t taken him long to grasp the significance of the Classic.

“From what I hear, (the tourney) is a big deal to the teams in this area,” said Strickland, a Shorter grad who also serves as assistant baseball coach at Model. “I know our girls are looking forward to it.”

This week, the local teams have had to contend with intense heat — and the subsequent Floyd County mandated restrictions — during their daily workouts.

At Pepperell, the Lady Dragons had to stay off the field for roughly 90 minutes on Monday while waiting for the temperature to drop into the “safe” zone.

“We have to live by the same rules as everyone else,” said Rickman, referring, perhaps, to the limits that have been placed on football practice around the state.

Attempting to beat the heat, the Lady Dragons waited until around 6 p.m. to begin practice Tuesday.

“It should be a little cooler,” said Rickman just before practice started.

Rickman and Strickland both said their teams have battled past the tough conditions and have had productive preseasons.

“The kids have been really been getting after it,” said Rickman. “And now, they are ready for the season to get here, and ready to see where they stand.”

Added Strickland: “The girls have been working very hard; they’re a coachable group. And with the team being so young (six freshmen on the roster) we are looking to develop the program and improve over time.”