PREP FOOTBALL: Athletics directors step into plan mode

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 10, 2018 5:51 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

Huddle up!

Area athletics directors have been keeping a close eye on Hurricane Florence, which gained considerable strength as it churned through warmer ocean water Sunday afternoon.

They are considering options to either move up or postpone some of their athletics events scheduled for later this week. But they'll also try to avoid cancellations and the need to reschedule for later dates similar to 2016 when Hurricane Matthew ravaged eastern North Carolina in early October.

Robert Britt, athletics director and head football coach at Rosewood, had planned to play at South Lenoir on Wednesday. Early Sunday evening, he received a phone call from SL head coach Jeremy Joyner, who said that Lenoir County Public Schools officials may not allow the teams to play.

"We're on hold right now," Britt said.

Southern Wayne also faces an LCPS member -- Kinston.

Athletics directors from those two schools discussed a possible Tuesday matchup at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex in Dudley.

"That would be a quick turnaround," said David Lee, athletics director at Southern Wayne.

"Or, we can leave it like it is and see how it plays out. We have an open date next week, but Kinston plays South Lenoir."

Lee added that he contacted SW Principal Kevin Smith, who said he will make a decision today contingent upon recommendations from Wayne County Public Schools officials.

A tweet on Charles B. Aycock's football Twitter account said that it's game is still scheduled for Friday at North Johnston, but that it could change with updates to come later.

Goldsboro AD Dwight Sutton said in a text message to the News-Argus early Sunday afternoon that the school is "considering" moving its home game with Nash Central.

The North Duplin football Twitter account said the Rebels' home game with Chocowinity Southside has been moved to Wednesday. Kickoff is 7 p.m. for FCA and church ministerial recognition night at H.E. Grubbs Field in Calypso.

No announcement has been made on Princeton's home clash with Wake Christian Academy.

Eastern Wayne and Spring Creek are off this week.

While some uncertainty remains with the exact path and timing of Florence, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency on Saturday. Governors from South Carolina and Virginia also declared a state of emergency.

Landfall is expected early Friday morning somewhere between South Carolina and Virginia. Florence could be downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds at 100 mph at that point.