GARDINER -- Friday night's Cony-Gardiner football game won't feel like one of those November showdowns in the 1970s. But the annual rivalry won't look like your average exhibition game either.

At least that's the hope of Gardiner Area High School fans and boosters.

For the first time in the 116-year football history between the schools, the game will be played in preseason. Game time is 7 p.m. at Hoch Field in Gardiner.

There will be cheerleaders, the usual hot dogs, fries and pizza, a little music and hopefully lots of fans.

"We going to do a bonfire, do some rah, rah, get some spirit going," Chip Kelley said.

Kelley is part of the Friends of Gardiner Football, a group that has reformed after 10 years of dormancy to help promote the sport in town and defray some expenses.

The rally will be held at the waterfront in Gardiner at 6:30 Thursday evening and the Gardiner cheerleaders will be on hand.

It's too early for band participation, but Kelley said there will be music. And since school begins Thursday for all classes in Gardiner, he expects fans, too.

Gardiner athletic director Jeff Turnbull hopes the rally and game serve to renew friendships for those who haven't seen other over the summer.

School doesn't begin in Augusta until next week, but Cony coach Rob Vachon is encouraged by the turnout his Rams had for a scrimmage this week.

"I think you'll see a decent crowd," he said. "I'm sure the excitement down there is going to be pretty high."

The game was moved to preseason after last year, when it was played the day after Thanksgiving because of Gardiner's playoff obligations. Cony, which plays in a different class, had not played a game in three weeks. The turnout was low and the game was moved to preseason.

"There isn't any other place you can put it," Turnbull said. "We'll look at ticket sales. If that's pretty good, we'll add some tradition stuff."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com