It’s heat acclimatization week in the Lehigh Valley, and the official start of football practice is a few days away.

The annual “heat week,” which has been instituted by the state to help players adjust to any heat issues early in the season, opens the door to teams to work in pads for five days under time constraints for each practice.

At Catasauqua, Northampton, and Whitehall, their football teams are rounding into shape for their season openers Aug. 28.

Catasauqua head coach Joe Henrich will have his players stay the course. The Rough Riders will scrimmage against Bangor Aug. 22.

“We will not do anything out of the ordinary,” said Henrich, who will begin his third season at the helm. “We will have doubles on Monday and Wednesday, and singles on the other days.

“We only have 32 kids, and we have to be careful not to burn them out.”

The Roughies’ offense in the early season will revolve around senior quarterback Aiden Reilly, who missed part of last season with injuries.

“He has been good, very consistent,” said Henrich about his quarterback. “He has more of an understanding of what we are trying to do and why. He is in control of the offense.”

Reilly admits he has made strides.

“I feel like I’ve grown in many ways,” stressed Reilly. “The main thing for me is taking everything I’ve learned over the last two years playing at the varsity, and everything my coaches have taught me.

“I want to take everything my coaches have taught me and apply it.”

Northampton head coach John Toman also has taken it in stride.

He will watch the final stretch of a quarterback battle between Zion McKinney and Grant Brobst. The Kids will scrimmage at Upper Perkiomen Aug. 22.

“Heat week is the same as always,” beamed Toman. “The quarterback situation will play itself out the upcoming week. We will track all throws, runs, and overall grasp of the offense and make our decision prior to our scrimmage.”

Whitehall head coach Andy Marino has a similar outlook as his peers for the week. Senior quarterback Tanner Dogmanits will be the catalyst of a season in which he completed 147 of 223 passes for 2,293 with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Zephyrs will scrimmage at Central Bucks West Aug. 22.

“I don’t see many differences outside of less practices because school is starting a week,” said Marino. “I really don’t have an answer yet as far as us rounding into shape. We haven’t had padded practices.”