JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida High School Athletic Association will push the start of the football playoffs back a week due to the barrage of weather-related issues, including a couple hurricanes, that schools around the state have endured this season.
Executive director Craig Damon made the announcement on Monday afternoon, saying that all fall sports have been adjusted accordingly to accommodate issues related to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The Class 1A-7A state championship games will now be played Dec. 11-14 at Florida International University’s Pitbull Stadium.
The regular season was slated to end Nov. 1-2 in Florida. That has now been pushed back a week to Nov. 7, the original date of the first round of the playoffs. Damon said teams who were able to complete their regular season in its entirety can use that Nov. 7 date as a bye week. All games, including district games must be completed by that Nov. 7 date.
“It can be used as a to make up a game, or it can be used as a bye week before starting a playoff,” Damon said. “So, if a team is entering in the playoffs, earn a spot in the playoffs, they can take that week off as a bye week to help get ready for it for the playoffs.”
The change was not unexpected. The Georgia High School Association approved a similar change to its schedule, adding an extra week of the regular season so teams affected by those storms can get in their region games.
The FHSAA also waived the minimum game requirements in bowling, cross country and swimming/diving. Teams had to complete a minimum number of contests to be eligible to qualify, but that is now off the table. Volleyball teams also have through this week to complete their district tournaments, which is a one-week extension.
Copyright 2023 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.