The temperature is in the mid 90s.

The sun has baked the earth into cement.

It is the last week of August.

It's time to kick off another prep football season.

All eight Metro teams will play their openers, starting Thursday night when Prairie meets Jefferson at Kingston Stadium.

Optimism is high in all eight camps.

Xavier lost to Ankeny in the Class 4A championship game last year, but the Saints are ranked No.1 by the Des Moines Register heading into this season.

Prairie, Kennedy and Marion are looking to build on playoff seasons of a year ago, while Linn-Mar and Washington strive to return to the postseason. Jefferson is in search of a return to respectability and Cedar Valley Christian's quest is simple - win a game.

In nine weeks we'll know which goals have been met.

It will be here before you know it.

Thursday

Prairie (0-0) at Jefferson (0-0)

Site: Kingston Stadium

Time: 7:15 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KGYM (AM-1600/FM-107.5/FM-106.3)

Television: KCRG 9.2 (Mediacom 109, Imon 709)

Last meeting: Prairie 28, Jefferson 7 (Aug. 24, 2012)

Line: Prairie by 10

Prairie - The Hawks graduated QB Jace Hanna and WRs Jarred Edmonds and Demetrius Harper from last season's 8-4 team. That's a lot of firepower. Trey Beckman is the heir-apparent at quarterback. Kentrel Smith and Mitch Dellamuth each caught 19 passes a year ago. Mitch Christensen, who came on strong at midseason at running back, also returns after gaining 661 yards last season. The Hawks' big edge is in the offensive line, where four starters return, anchored by 6-foot-6, 285-pound RT Bryce Meeker. Prairie could receive a boost from 6-10, 365-pound Christian Ohrt, who is expected to see some playing time tonight. Speedy Tristan Beyer had 111 tackles at linebacker, and Dellamuth intercepted six passes. Jesse Vizzini also is a talented two-way player. The Hawks also have a proven kicker in Sam Drysdale, who converted 50 of 54 PATs and 4 of 6 FGs a year ago. Coach Mike Morrissey went 2-7 in his first season, but had the Hawks in the playoffs last year.

Jefferson - On the plus side, the J-Hawks return many of their players from a year ago, including QB Layne Sullivan and RB Michael Moncivais. On the minus side, Jefferson was 1-8 a year ago in Brian Webb's first season as coach. On the plus side, Webb appears to have turned around an attitude at Jefferson that led to a 24-game losing streak that was snapped last year against Hempstead. The J-Hawks did not light up the scoreboard, nor did they post flashy stats. Sullivan passed for 788 yards and one touchdown, Moncivais rushed for 268 yards. But they learned to compete. Their varsity roster numbers are up substantially and includes Michael Smith, a powerful two-way lineman who is being recruited by Division I schools. Bottom line, Webb guided Carroll Kuemper to the playoffs in his previous coaching stop and there is precedent in the Metro for sudden turnarounds (see Prairie above). This is a big one for the J-Hawks.