The wait is almost over.

The last time Brandon Sutton played a meaningful football game was in the semifinals of the 2013 state playoffs when he was an offensive lineman for the Callaway Cavaliers.

The same goes for his former teammates at Callaway, Devon Rosser and Pedy Leverette.

That will change in less than three months when Kennesaw State plays its inaugural football game against East Tennessee State on Sept. 3.

Sutton, Rosser and Leverette joined the Kennesaw State program in 2014, but the team didn’t play any games last fall.

Now, the three former Cavaliers are gearing for the program’s debut season, and Sutton said everyone is ready.

“In our main office, we keep a big TV, we keep a countdown clock on it,” Sutton said. “We have an exact hour count to when our first game is on Sept. 3. So, we’re getting ready for it. It’s a couple of months. It’s enough time to come together and get ready for that first game.”

When Sutton decided to sign with Kennesaw State in February of 2014, he knew what was in store, and not playing any games last fall was tough.

The chance to be a part of a brand-new program is a thrilling prospect for Sutton, though, and he’s glad he made that choice.

“We’re building the foundation together,” Sutton said. “Just to be able to say I’m on the first team ever, and what we did, coming from nothing, is really great.”

Sutton was one of the prized signees for Kennesaw State last year.

A three-year starter in high school, Sutton was an all-state player as a junior and a senior, and he was the anchor of the offensive line in 2013 when the Cavaliers made their first-ever trip to the final four.

Sutton’s goal is to be one of the starting offensive lineman when the season kicks off.

“That’s what I’m working toward, to get myself better and better, and when the fall does come around, hopefully I can get a starting spot,” Sutton said.

Kennesaw State will run the triple option, the same offense Georgia Tech runs.

Sutton and the other lineman have had plenty of time to adjust to running that complex offense.

“Running the triple option, it’s hard to adjust to,” Sutton said. “But once you learn the play, and start to understand the concepts, everything is easier and easier.”

Rosser and Leverette were also key members of that 2013 Callaway team that nearly won a state championship.

Rosser was a big-play fullback for the Cavaliers, and he’ll be a running back for the Owls.

Leverette was a standout wide receiver and defensive back at Callaway, and he’s listed as a wide receiver for Kennesaw State.

During the team’s spring game, Leverette caught a 24-yard touchdown pass.

Sutton said being able to share the experience with Rosser and Leverette has meant a lot.

“Being around people you already know just helps,” Sutton said. “You already have relationships dating back to high school, and you come to a new place, it helps you out. With sports in general, it always helps you out to be around people you know.”

Sutton said he and his teammates will be working hard during the summer, and soon enough it’ll be time for training camp, and then the season will be here.

“From now until about the end of July, we’ll be in training, just getting ready for fall camp,” Sutton said. “And then after fall camp, it’s time to play.”

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 (ext. 232) or on Twitter @lagrangesports