The N.C. High School Athletic Association has announced that the starting times for its 4A and 4AA football state championship games have been moved back three hours because of wintry weather in the Winston-Salem area.
The 4AA game between Wake Forest and Mallard Creek, originally scheduled for noon at Wake Forest’s BB&T Field, will now kick off at 3 p.m. The 4A game between Scotland County and Harding University has also been delayed by three hours and will now be played at 7 p.m.
Gates at the stadium will open at 2 p.m.
“Based on the reports we received from the staff at Wake Forest and our conversations in the office,” NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said in a statement issued Friday, “we feel that it is in the best interest of all participants, especially the spectators, to delay the games at Wake Forest until the temperature rises, and the staff at the stadium has a chance to prepare the stadium to host everyone in a safe manner.”
Championships in the other six classifications are still on track to be played as scheduled. But that could still change depending on any changes in the weather.
“The NCHSAA is monitoring the weather situation along with our host facilities and will update media outlets and general public as necessary,” the statement said.
Havelock plays Charlotte Catholic in the 3A final at 3 p.m. and New Hanover takes on A.C. Reynolds at 7 p.m. at Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium.
East Duplin meets Hibriten for the 2AA title at 3 p.m. and Wallace-Rose Hill plays Reidsville in a battle of defending state champions in the 2A game at 7 p.m. at UNC’s Kenan Stadium.
North Duplin takes on Cherokee in the 1A championship game at noon while Tarboro and Mount Airy play for the 1AA crown at 4 p.m. at NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium.
All games will be streamed live on @NFHSNetwork.