You’ve waited nearly six months.

And sure, you’ll have to hold for three more before the real thing arrives this fall.

But for the first time in 2025, this week will feature high school football games.

Volusia-Flagler programs kick off their annual spring exhibitions, capping three weeks of practices. It’s the first real glimpse at the local clubs. And as always, they will be fixing to hit someone other than their own teammates.

This year, 14 of the 15 area squads will partake in spring games between May 15-23. Taylor will not compete in an organized tilt.

Before then, let’s glance at the schedule and run through some things to watch in each contest.

Thursday, May 15

North Florida Educational Institute, Zarephath Christian at New Smyrna Beach, 6 p.m.

After the graduation of do-everything weapon Armoni Spurlock, who headed to the college ranks at Navy, New Smyrna Beach added another Football Bowl Subdivision prospect on offense.

Junior Mason Riddle, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end, transferred in from Brock High School in Texas. Per Brock’s MaxPreps page, Riddle recorded five catches for 95 yards and one touchdown last fall.

He already collected offers from six Division I schools: Air Force, Army, Florida International, Georgia State, Southern Miss and Troy.

Saturday, May 17

Spruce Creek vs. Lake Gibson, Evans at Lakeland High School, 1

Will recent Duke commit Chadwicke Cannon and three-star prospect Freddie Wilson continue their ascension on the defensive line? The Hawks will count on those seniors following the graduation of Derry Norris, who signed with Georgia Tech .

And what will an offense that averaged 37 points per game last season look like without receiver Tony Kinsler? Now at Pitt, Kinsler caught 66 passes for 1,005 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.

The obvious answer might be more targets for rising senior Cameron Oxendine. He hauled in 38 receptions for 618 yards and five touchdowns, slotting third on the roster in all three statistical categories behind Kinsler and Denali Campbell, who also graduated.

The Hawks could also feed running back Trell Edwards after his 785-yard campaign a year ago.

Delray Beach Atlantic, Mainland at Palm Beach Gardens, 5

Mainland also welcomed some high-level new faces: offensive lineman Stephone Ross from DeLand, Tron Ledbetter from Atlantic and Melo Parks from New Smyrna Beach among them.

But maybe most excitingly for the Buccaneers, Braylyn Simmons came over from Flagler Palm Coast. As a sophomore, Simmons burst onto the scene with 886 receiving yards, 278 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

Mainland lost its top three pass-catchers and top two rushers from last season to graduation. Simmons can certainly help fill those vacancies.

Thursday, May 22

Trinity Christian at Atlantic, 7

Two of the Volusia-Flagler area’s Sunshine State Athletic Association teams won’t wait until the regular season to meet each other.

For Atlantic , this contest will be the first time it takes the field under new coach Saul Rodriguez. The Sharks went 1-8 last year.

For the Eagles, they’ll look to build on the momentum that saw them claim two of their final three regular-season games during a 3-7 campaign last fall.

Friday, May 23

Halifax, Innovation at Deltona, 6

Deltona hosts two squads in a jamboree: one local (Halifax), one not (Innovation).

For the Wolves, the question is, can they build on last year’s 3-7 campaign? It ended with an overtime win over Seabreeze. This will be coach Matt Martin’s third season, which is often when expectations jump.

For the Knights, can they remain so explosive? They averaged 20 yards per pass attempt and 10 yards per run play a year ago. Though quarterback La’Darius Simmons bolted to Flagler Palm Coast and running back Jeremiah Barthelemy graduated, Halifax still has speedy receiver Javonte Horton. He tallied 649 yards on 26 catches (25-yard average) as a junior.

Seabreeze, University at Crescent City, 6

Seabreeze and University will hit the road to Crescent City.

Now in Year 2 under Mike Klein, the Sandcrabs will look to establish an offensive identity earlier this season than last. They began the 2024 campaign with some triple-option concepts before reverting back to a spread a month in. Though Seabreeze averaged only 11 points per game, Jeremias George (332 rushing yards) and Zachary Voltaire (176 rushing yards) flashed potential on that side of the ball.

University hopes to continue the most successful stretch in program history. Longtime assistant Matt Trumbly succeeded Justin Roberts, who stepped down for a job at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in Georgia, as head coach.

The Titans will have to replace the core of those teams that sprinted to a 19-5 record, the program’s first district title in 2024 and back-to-back regional semifinal appearances, especially on offense. Quarterback Malachi Walters and every University receiver who caught a pass last season either graduated or transferred.

DeLand at Lake Brantley, 7

How are the youngsters doing? The spring game is a solid gauge.

Last year, DeLand played a ton of freshman, sophomore and junior talent.

Its offense — led by quarterback Gardner Nordman, running back Taihj Moore and versatile receiver Marceles Carey — thrived. Moore was the top freshman in the area. He racked up 1,680 total yards and 22 touchdowns and, ahead of his sophomore season, already carries offers from Florida, Illinois, Miami, Syracuse, UCF and others.

All three of those guys are back.

Defensively, the Bulldogs encountered more growing pains, allowing 35 points per game. The hope: that the youth movement pays off and matures as this season commences.

Flagler Palm Coast at Bishop Moore, 7

How will new coach Patrick Turner stamp his mark on Flagler Palm Coast’s program?

The turnaround at his last stop didn’t take long. He went from 1-8 in Year 1 at Palatka in 2021 to 7-4 records and postseason appearances each of the last three seasons.

The Bulldogs aren’t coming off seven straight losing seasons like Palatka when Turner took over. They sped to 9-2 and a playoff berth with a high-octane offense last fall.

But FPC will provide a clean slate. Its top passer, top three rushers, top five receivers and top two tacklers from a year ago are gone.

Pine Ridge at Matanzas, 7

Matanzas receiver Ladarien Baker broke out as a junior, rattling off 36 receptions for 472 yards. But if his size-speed combo — and spring track and field results in the jumping events — is any indication, he could take another step as a senior.

The Pirates will have to find another signal-caller to get him the ball, though. Last year’s starter, Caden Burchfield, transferred to Flagler Palm Coast.

For the Panthers, new leader Alex Russell becomes just the second Pine Ridge head coach to be an alum of the school. The first was Kenny Pickens from 2017-2019.

Russell, a longtime DeLand assistant, grabbed the reins from Greg Miller, who went 1-8 in his one season with the Panthers.

Space Coast at Father Lopez, 7

Father Lopez also squared off with Space Coast in its 2024 spring game.

Colt Davis led the Green Wave, another roster filled with youth last season, with 538 passing yards as a sophomore. Sophomore Robbie O’Hern (194 yards) and junior Nathan Watkins (141 yards) paced them in rushing and receiving, respectively, too.

And though they have a new coach, they still possess continuity. New leader Mark Gabbard served as their offensive coordinator in 2024.