MADISON COUNTY — During the early portion of his team’s workouts, Pendleton Heights High School head football coach Jed Richman said its goal was to “play a game.”

Seemed simple enough, but nothing has been simple in 2020.

With many surrounding county schools forced to cancel games due to health-related concerns stemming from COVID-19 protocols, both Pendleton Heights and Lapel are, as of press time, set to play Friday.

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Lapel will play its first game on its new synthetic turf field Friday, playing host to county foe Elwood for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Pendleton Heights will open on the road at Mississinewa with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Through its athletics website (https://lapelathletics.com/), Lapel High School announced, due to capacity restrictions at athletic events, it would not be offering all-sports passes.

The statement from athletic director Bill Chase read, “Our priority is to get players’ families into each contest to support their child and team. In the event that we have tickets left over, they will be released to the general public. Once our capacity limit is reached for that venue, no tickets will be sold.”

Lapel scrimmaged on the new turf Saturday against Hagerstown.

Last season, the Bulldogs finished 6-4, opening the season with three straight wins including a 42-6 victory on the road at Elwood in the opener.

Pendleton Heights also has a new synthetic turf field. The Arabians scrimmaged at home against Mooresville on Saturday. Their first home game is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 against Anderson.

Pendleton Heights finished 2019 with a 7-5 season, losing in the sectional championship game at Mt. Vernon.

It lost the opener, at home, last season to Mississinewa, 26-21.

Pendleton Heights also announced, through its web site (gophhsathletics.com) ticket information for the season.

For football games at John Broughton Field, capacity will be 50%. Tickets may be purchased online in advance; no tickets will be sold at the gate.

Fans must wear face coverings at all times.

A link to purchase tickets and other guidelines for games are available at the website.