As students return to schools in western North Carolina, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has announced an extension of most fall sports seasons, including football. This decision aims to help schools catch up, as many facilities, such as the Pisgah High School football stadium, remain compromised.
The high school football season will be extended by an extra week, allowing any team in the state to schedule an additional game if desired. However, some coaches plan to use the extra Friday as a rest week before the playoffs, which are now set to begin on November 15.
The changes affect nearly all fall sports schedules. Cross country and volleyball championships have been moved to November 2, while soccer title games are scheduled for the weekend of November 22-23. The football regular season will conclude on November 8, with the first round of playoffs starting on November 15. Regional finals are slated for December 13, and state finals will occur just before Christmas. The NCHSAA is still determining which facilities will host these events.
In college football, the University of North Carolina (UNC) is facing challenges after losing three consecutive games, including a 10-point defeat to Pittsburgh. Head coach Mack Brown’s team has struggled defensively, conceding 125 points over the three losses. Offensively, missed opportunities have contributed to close defeats. UNC is preparing to host Georgia Tech, which holds a 4-2 record this season, in a cancer awareness game kicking off at noon.
Elsewhere in the state, Western Carolina University has canceled classes until October 21, but the Catamounts will host a game against The Citadel, allowing fans to attend. Appalachian State University, with no classes this week, will travel to Louisiana, while East Carolina University has the weekend off.
In the NFL, former UNC star Drake Maye will make his first start for the New England Patriots this Sunday against the Houston Texans. The rookie quarterback has previously played in one game, replacing NC State star Jacoby Brissett, who started the first five games. The Patriots currently hold a 1-4 record. The game against the Tennessee Titans is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Carolina Hurricanes are set to begin their 27th NHL season on Friday, hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning, followed by a game in Tampa on Saturday night. Weather conditions may impact the schedule.
In collegiate summer league baseball news, the Kinston Wingmen have folded after two seasons in the Old North State League, finishing with a 17-19 record this past summer.
The WNBA Finals are set, with the Minnesota Lynx facing the New York Liberty in a best-of-five series. Game 1 is on Thursday, followed by Game 2 on Sunday, broadcast on WCTI.
The NCHSAA released the following:
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Board of Directors met to discuss options for concluding the Fall Sports Season including the postseason calendar. These discussions were necessitated by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
“Changes to the fall calendar are difficult as well as complex but necessary,” said NCHSAA President Dr. Stephen Gainey and NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker in a joint statement. “Keeping our student-athletes safe as we try to minimize risk of injury was central to any decisions made. We commend the work of the NCHSAA staff in its research, the Board of Directors in making time to consider these changes and the willingness of our host partners to accommodate any changes and make their venues available.”
The Board approved changes and modifications to the schedule. Sunday practices and competitions are still prohibited. The calendar below encompasses the changes made by the Board. Playoff dates in bold reflect a change.
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