Usually, major decisions by the Florida High School Athletic Association are made during the offseason, but on Oct. 14 the organization, which is the primary governing body of high school sports in the state, announced that the football season’s regular season will extend a week.
“This year has been a very unique year for us, as most of the state has been impacted directly or indirectly by inclement weather,” Damon said. “Our member schools have been responsive and cooperating with each other during this time, even though they may be rivals, which is a beautiful sight to see.”
Due to the recent hurricanes that has caused many games to be rescheduled or cancelled across the state, the FHSAA decided to push the regular season back one week, so the last day of the regular season will now be Nov. 7.
“That week can be used in several different ways, either as a bye week or to make up a game before starting the playoffs,” FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon said. “It is up to the teams.”
Nease High took had rescheduled to play Bartram Trail High on Oct. 14, but once the announcement was made, both schools were quick to take advantage and reschedule the district contest once again, this time to Nov. 7.
As a result, the change also adjusts the playoffs, which will now begin on Nov. 15.
According to Damon, the change was made possible thanks to a common bye week that was scheduled prior to the football state championship games, which will be used to extend the season. The state title games will remain as previously scheduled.
The decision will not affect the start of the winter sports season.
