PEMBINE, Wis. — Northern Elite Predators will get a jump on most of the state’s high school football programs by starting practice tonight at Pembine High School.

“We had to schedule our first junior varsity game for the day before games are supposed to start, so we got a waiver from the WIAA to start practice a day early,” said Ben Laarman, head coach of the Niagara, Pembine and Goodman football co-op.

Predators’ junior varsity travels to Eagle River, Wis., on Thursday, Aug. 16, to face Northland Pines in the season opener. Predators varsity scrimmages Laona-Wabeno on Saturday, Aug. 11, before visiting Marion, Wis., on Aug. 17 to meet Tigerton/Marion in the first game.

Florence and most other WIAA schools will issue equipment and start practice Wednesday.

The Bobcats, who begin eight-player varsity football this season, will hand out equipment to seniors beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the elementary school. Practice will follow after equipment distribution.

Florence varsity scrimmages at Menominee Indian on Friday, Aug. 10 and Forest Park on Aug. 17. Season opener is Aug. 24 at Lena.

Bobcats junior varsity, after the Menominee Indian scrimmage, kicks off the regular season Monday, Aug. 20, at Wabeno against Laona-Wabeno.