VALRICO — Bloomingdale senior linebacker CJ Curran said the program hasn’t won a preseason classic since his freshman year.

The Bulls face Riverview tonight in a pivotal moment in program history, where first-year head coach Jason Stokes hopes to lead the team into a winning era. But because the players have grown accustomed to losing (historically one of the most unsuccessful programs in the county), Stokes is cautious about morale if things don’t go their way tonight.

“We had our best practice all year (on Wednesday),” Stokes said. “The one thing I’m concerned about is the deer in headlights syndrome. I don’t want them to lose what they’ve learned, what they were coached. We got to set the tone now.”

Stokes will make his debut as head coach against his former team, where he worked as a defensive assistant for five years.

“I love those kids over there,” he said. “It’s going to be real fun.”