RALEIGH — Think it’s hard to come up with a gridiron game plan for one opponent?

Try preparing for four — all in the same day.

Cary High, like many teams throughout the Triangle, had to quickly learn and adapt to the offenses and defenses of four different teams for Saturday morning’s preseason football jamboree at Wakefield.

The Imps, along with the other four schools participating, got a crash-course in multitasking and strategy shifting as they played scrimmages against Nash Central, Knightdale, Wakefield and East Chapel Hill.

Starting with Nash Central and working their way through the jamboree’s lineup, Cary played 12 minutes against an opponent’s offense and faced the defense for another 12 during each session.

“We made some good plays and bad plays, but that’s what scrimmages are all about,” said Cary coach Ben Kolstad. “I thought our kids did a pretty good job. You can’t simulate this in practice and that’s why this is so important.”

While four 24-minute sets may not give the Imps the exact prescription as to how to win its opener Friday against Broughton, playing against live competition can highlight areas the team can improve upon.

“Our conditioning isn’t where I want it to be, but it will come,” Kolstad said. “There’s a lot of things to fix but there’s a lot of good things. That’s all part of the process.”

Such was evident during the Imps’ four sets on Saturday. The defense gave up some big plays, such as a 29-yard touchdown scramble from the Nash Central quarterback. But it also made some big plays, like when senior strong safety Andrew Hill grabbed an interception against East Chapel Hill, or when defensive linemen Fre’Shad Hunter and Vincent Pratama teamed up on a quarterback against Central.

Likewise, the offense had a few hiccups but showed some bright spots as well. In the series against East Chapel Hill, the Imps threw two picks, but quarterback Daniel Steed threw a 33-yard touchdown strike to tight end Chris Barfield, and junior running back Ralph Chapman scampered for a 35-yard score.

Where the Imps go from here, essentially, is working on the basics, Kolstad said. Just putting the extra time into little things like blocking and tackling before they face the Caps.

And luckily, this week Cary can tailor its focus to one opponent instead of trying to learn the schemes of four.

“Now we get to gear up for one team and that’s a plus,” said Kolstad. “They can prepare for a base set this week and not have to prepare for so many different [teams].”

As Cary gets set to tee it off, one of the challenges facing the Imps will be their lack of depth. Kolstad said the number of players on the roster is down to the upper 30s and Cary has had to pull a few underclassmen up to the varsity squad.

However, many of the six returning starters on offense and the four on defense bring years of experience on the gridiron for the Imps.

“Depth is going to be an issue early,” Kolstad said. “We hope experience will bring that up.”

On offense, the Imps look to the leadership of senior offensive tackle Elohiem Palma, who will be in his fourth year for Cary, and starting quarterback Daniel Steed, who led Cary to wins in the two games he started last year as a junior.

Cary also returns Hill, who will spend time at running back as well as free safety. Hill contributed more than 600 yards on the ground for the Imps’ offense last year, Kolstad said.

“And we’ve got a bunch of backs and young guys that we hope can help us,” Kolstad said.

The defense will be anchored by its line, which Kolstad called “a huge strength” and one of the best in the area. Pratama and Palma will hold down the fort at tackle, while Barfield and Hunter will be on the ends. Senior strong safety Bryan Wilson, a three-year starter, will lead the Imps’ secondary.

With many Imps playing both ways, overcoming their challenges at depth will be crucial. But, in addition to veteran leaders, Cary’s chemistry could help them overcome that hurdle.

“It’s probably the most balanced we’ve been in terms of no superstars,” Kolstad said. “But it’s a combination of guys that gel together.”