The wait is almost over.

After nearly a nine-month hiatus, high school football is less than a month away from making its return.

And with the schedules being released, I believe now is as good of a time as any to highlight some notable games for each of the four Warwick schools this fall.

In Division I, Bishop Hendricken has reigned supreme over the last five seasons, rolling to an unprecedented fifth consecutive state championship last fall.

The Hawks will be looking for a sixth this season, but they’ll have to do so without their top two playmakers on the offensive side of the ball last season – quarterback John Toppa and wide receiver Lee Moses.

One player to watch for is Trevor Lawton, a transfer from last season, who had a breakout game in the Super Bowl. The tight end/receiver should be a top target for the Hawks in the passing game.

On the defensive side of the football, defensive end Kwity Paye will be returning for his junior season. Paye was dominant last season as a sophomore and should continue to give opposing offenses headaches.

The Hawks should get a good test from Portsmouth in week two on September 25, as they have matched up with the Patriots in the semifinals in each of the last two seasons.

The Super Bowl rematch will then take place on November 6, when the Hawks travel to La Salle for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Hendricken does have some holes to fill from some key departures, but I’m sure it will find a way to be a top contender once again.

In Division II, Warwick Vets will be looking to get in the win column this season after going 0-7 last fall.

The largely inexperienced ’Canes took some lumps last season, but that should benefit them going forward.

Vets will return Nick Beaufort under center for his senior campaign, and he should be much improved with a full year of being the varsity starter under his belt.

The ’Canes will have to move forward without the services of offensive lineman Connor Thompson and running back Mickenzey Pacheco – two senior standouts last season – but that will present others the opportunity to step up.

Vets will open its season slate at Rogers on September 18. It will then host Pilgrim in the annual Thanksgiving game on November 26.

In Division III, Pilgrim and Toll Gate will be hoping to contend this fall.

The Pats will look to build off of its best season in a decade last fall heading into this year.

Pilgrim worked its way to a .500 record on the gridiron in 2014 with a steady balance of offense and defense.

On the offensive side, quarterback Rob Quaine and running back Owen Kelly paced Pilgrim, sparking much of the production on the scoreboard.

This year, the quarterback position is open after Quaine graduated in the spring.

Look to see a steady diet of Kelly – a senior – this season, as he may be the best running back in the division.

In addition to its Thanksgiving game at Vets, another notable game for Pilgrim is against Toll Gate at home on November 6.

As for the Titans, they will be looking to improve this fall following a 1-7 regular season in 2014.

However, they will return some key pieces.

Toll Gate’s quarterback for instance, Anthony Vann, was just a freshman last season and should be much better as a sophomore after showing some upside last fall.

In the backfield, Alex Mowry should be a threat after posting an impressive junior campaign.

Sean Devlin, Jr. will also only be a sophomore this year. The freshman showed Jim Stringfellow a lot at linebacker a year ago and will figure to be a big piece of the team for the next three seasons.

In addition to the Titans’ game at Pilgrim on November 6, they will also continue the annual Thanksgiving tradition, as they’re set to host Hendricken on November 26.

You can get a glimpse of Vets, Toll Gate and Pilgrim three weeks from today, September 3, when Vets hosts an injury fund round robin that will feature the three public schools.

Hendricken will play its injury fund game against La Salle at 7:30 p.m. at Cranston Stadium as the main event of a tripleheader on Friday, September 4.

No matter what happened last season, a fresh start is right around the corner.

Football season is almost here.