Five area schools wrap up spring football sessions this weekend with spring classic games. It’s the final fling for the teams, who have spent the past four weeks – 19 practice sessions – to get ready to meet a live opponent in session No. 20.

Bishop Verot kicks off the final weekend at 7 p.m. Thursday by hosting Port Charlotte on the artificial turf at Viking Stadium.

Island Coast and North Fort Myers play on their own home fields Friday night while Ida Baker and Cape Coral go on the road for their season-ending tests.

IC’s Gators host Lakewood Ranch at 7:30 p.m. with North’s Red Knights entertaining Lehigh also at 7:30 on Moody Field. Baker’s Bulldogs head east to visit Riverdale (7 p.m.) while Cape’s Seahawks journey south on I-75 a ways to take on Golden Gate (7:30).

The Mariner Tritons’ spring game is in the books, written last Saturday night with a 31-21 loss to Lemon Bay at Tony McKenna Field.

The Seahawks, fresh off an 11-1 season that ended in a 24-16 loss to Charlotte in the Class 4A regional semifinal round, will show off a fresh new look with several new faces in new places, including a new head coach.

Junior Bryan Greenwell won his first start at the quarterback spot with his spring work, according to new head coach Brad Metheny.

“He (Greenwell) has had a lot thrown at him, but I am pleased with the way he caught on,” said Metheny. “This game will be a nice test for our offense. Spring has been exciting, trying to install all the things we’re changing. It was a lot to get in, but I’m happy with the kids’ effort and with the coaches.”

Metheny, who previously coached at Frostproof, expects to face a stout defense in Golden Gate, which boasts four D-1 prospects on that side of the ball.

“It will be a challenge, but we’re going to give everything we installed a try to see if we can look like a football team,” said Metheny. “We want to play physical, sound defense and try to get out injury-free. I expect the defense to play well because that is where most of our experience is.”

Speaking of challenges, consider what Ida Baker faces this spring with just seven players possessing any varsity experience.

“It has been a slow progression,” said Bulldogs coach Brian Conn. “We kind of expected that given the amount of experienced players we have this year. We focused on getting the basic stuff down.”

Conn said he’s looking at a lot of guys in positions not solidified as yet. He’s going with a small base package of plays against Riverdale.

“I’m looking for good execution with a minimum of penalties,” said Conn.

North, which was 4-6 last season, has had a good spring season.

“It’s been hot, and hard, but football is supposed to be that way,” said Red Knights coach Barry Goettemoeller. “I’ve seen guys emerge and we’re looking forward to hitting someone other than ourselves.”

While it is always nice to play before a home crowd, it’s not like it’s for the state championship. It’s just a practice game, said Goettemoeller.

“Everyone has gotten better and the guys have come together as a team,” Goettemoeller said. “I hope that carries over into Friday night.”

The Red Knights face a strong test from Lehigh, which was 7-6 last season and advanced to the regional finals.

“Lehigh is very well coached and we will see speed that we can’s simulate at practice,” said Goettemoeller.

Fresh off a 6-5 season in which they were the surprise District 2B-6 champions, the Island Coast Gators conclude spring practice on their home turf against Lakewood Ranch.

“I’m pleased with the number of players we have out there,” said Gators coach Joe Bowen. “This is the first year we’ve had a lot of seniors and all of them have stepped up realizing this is their last crack at football in the spring.”

The top senior in camp is 6-foot-6, 255-pound Aaron Lynch, who has garnered a healthy number of Division I scholarship offers.

“I really don’t know how many he has right now,” said Bowen. “What he has done, though, is get exposure for teammates, two of which got D-I offers just this week.”

Bowen said he and the players are just as comfortable playing at home as on the road.

“Home or away, it’s no disadvantage,” said Bowen.