The wait it almost over.

In just a matter of days, all nine football teams in the Times News area will be on the field preparing for the upcoming season, with official practices set to begin this coming Monday.Teams were also given two extra days to adjust to the heat this year after the PIAA ruled in March to expand the heat acclimatization period from five days to three.Many squads took advantage of the opportunity to get on the field early, with several teams starting the five-day process on the first available date, which was this past Monday. The alternative was to use the first week of practice as the heat acclimatization period.Northwestern Lehigh was one of the squads to get an early jump on the season, which should come as no surprise after the Tigers' success a year ago.Northwestern rode the momentum of a Class AA Eastern Conference championship in 2013 to a District 11 title a year ago.Though the Tigers will have significant holes to fill in 2015 with the departures of quarterback Frank Dangello and do-everything utility man Cam Richardson, Northwestern will be able to lean on Harry Hall, the reigning Times News Football Player of the Year.Hall led Northwestern in rushing yards (1,694), carries (210) and rushing touchdowns (15) while also playing a key role on defense.Lehighton, Marian, Palmerton and Pleasant Valley also qualified for the district playoffs, while Northern Lehigh claimed the Division II championship after storming through the Eastern Conference playoffs.Lehighton made waves in its first year of competition in the Anthracite Football League, finishing the year with an 8-3 record.Though the Indians were surely disappointed with a season-ending 48-18 loss to Bethlehem Catholic in the first round of the district playoffs, Tom McCarroll will have much to look forward to this year with several key players returning.Led by quarterback Tyler Cann, who was the Times News Offensive Player of the Year last season, and running back Wyatt Clements, Lehighton appears primed to not only take a step forward in the AFL, but also in the district playoffs where it will be hoping to make a third straight appearance.Marian made a run to the District 11 Class A championship game a year ago, where the Colts fell to Pius X, 45-14.Marian will lose all-state players in Joe Damiano (DL) and Nick Sully (LB), but Stan Dakosty should have a potent offense with the return of K.J. Snerr, the Times New Running Back of the Year last season, and quarterback Ethan Kuczynski, both of whom look primed for stellar senior seasons.After beating Northern Lehigh in the final game of the regular season to clinch a District 11 Class AA playoff berth, Palmerton's season ended with a 38-0 loss to eventual district runner-up North Schuylkill in the first round.Though the Blue Bombers lost all-state linebacker Tre Nelson, coach Chris Walkowiak will have junior signal caller Garrett Perschy back after a breakout sophomore campaign.After going 6-1 to end the regular season, Pleasant Valley earned a first round draw against Easton in the Class AAAA bracket. Despite coming away with a 46-0 loss, head coach David Pacchioni will look to continue the success the Bears enjoyed at the end of the season as he begins his second year as head coach. Pacchioni will, however, have to replace quarterback Brandon Kuehner, who threw for 1,591 yards, which was the best mark in the Times News area a year ago.After ending the regular season with three straight losses, Northern Lehigh made the most of its opportunity in the Eastern Conference playoffs, defeating Western Wayne 49-41 in the semifinals before thumping Pine Grove 53-6 to win the Division II title.Jim Thorpe (7-3) and Tamaqua (5-5) narrowly missed out on the postseason. Each team finished the year with three straight losses to take them out of contention for spots in either the District 11 or Eastern Conference playoffs.Both programs should feature strong running games in 2015, with Robbie Heller leading the Olympians and Collin "Bud" Moyer pacing the Raiders.Though Panther Valley finished 1-9 in Matt Davis' first year as head coach, the Panthers should improve as Davis continues to rebuild the program.Tristan Blasko saw significant playing time at quarterback as a freshman and should make strides as he settles in throughout his sophomore year.Below are the practice times, scrimmage times, and expected numbers for each Times News football team:JIM THORPEHead coach: Mark RosenbergerPractice schedule: Monday, Aug. 17, Tuesday, Aug. 18 and Friday, Aug. 21, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 45Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. Wilson 10 a.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 at Palmerton at 7 p.m.LEHIGHTONHead coach: Tom McCarrollPractice schedule: Monday, Aug. 17, 8-11 a.m.; 2-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Aug. 18, 8-11 a.m.; 3-6 p.m.; Wednesday, Aug. 19, 3-6 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 3-6 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 21, 3-6 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 55Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 at Catasauqua 10 a.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 vs. Northern Lehigh 6 p.m.MARIANHead coach: Stan DakostyPractice schedule: Monday, Aug. 17 - Friday, Aug. 21, 8:35-11 a.m.; 1-3:20 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 42Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 at Northern Lehigh 10 a.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 vs. Catasauqua 5 p.m.NORTHERN LEHIGHHead coach: Joe ToutPractice schedule: Aug. 17-19, 8:10-10:30 a.m. and 1:10-3:30 p.m.; Aug. 20, 4:30-7:30 p.m.; Aug. 21, 9-11:30 a.m.; Aug. 24-26, 4-7:30 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 42Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. Marian 10 a.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 at Lehighton 6 p.m.NORTHWESTERNHead coach: Josh SnyderPractice schedule: Monday, Aug. 17 - Friday, Aug. 21, 8-10:30 a.m.; 12:30-3 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 45Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 at Pottsville 10 a.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 vs. Tamaqua 6 p.m.PALMERTONHead coach: Chris WalkowiakPractice schedule: Monday, Aug. 17-20, 7:30-10:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.; Aug. 21, 7:30-10:30 a.m. The week of August 24 practice will be run on Palmerton's after school schedule, which will take place from approximately 3-5:45 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 48Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 at Panther Valley 10 a.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 vs. Jim Thorpe 7 p.m.PANTHER VALLEYHead coach: Matt DavisPractice schedule: Monday, Aug. 17 - Thursday, Aug. 20, 3:15-8 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 47Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. Palmerton 10 a.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 at Salisbury 6 p.m.PLEASANT VALLEYHead coach: David PacchioniPractice schedule: Monday, Aug. 17 - Friday, Aug. 21, 8-10 a.m.; 12-2:30 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 92Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. Nazareth 10 a.m.; Friday, Aug. 28 at Scranton Prep 10 a.m.TAMAQUAHead coach: Sam BonnerPractice schedule: Monday, Aug. 17 - Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7:15-10:15 a.m.; 1:15-4 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 20, 12-2 p.m.; 4-6 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 21, 1:30-4 p.m.Turnout: Varsity (grades 9-12) 44Scrimmages: Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. Hamburg 10 a.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 at Northwestern 6 p.m.(Capsules compiled by Brad Hurley and Patrick Matsinko)