Middle school season starts early (roughly 2 weeks ahead of the HS Season, which is basically the 7on7 season of high school taken out as middle school does 7on7 in May and June), and ends Regular season end of September - First of October, and playoffs by last week of the regular season for High School . So in reality Middle school week 1, is the first week High Schools do scrimmages. Same as most other Middle school schedules in other sports.
Most Middle School AD's want football done by Oct 15th so they can transition to basketball.