The potential for sketchy weather from Hurricane Ian on Friday has forced nearly all of the week's scheduled games for Northeast Georgia teams to move games to Thursday.
As of early Tuesday, 17 of the 20 scheduled games involving Northeast Georgia teams had been moved to Thursday.
Flowery Branch was the first to make the call on Monday. West Hall followed shortly after. Then, North Hall and Rabun County joined the movement around noon on Monday.
East Jackson's game with Banks County also was moved to Thursday and so was Chestatee's showdown with Madison County. Cherokee Bluff also moved its game with Cedar Shoals to Thursday. All three made the call Monday afternoon.
Late Monday night, Towns County's matchup with Greene County was moved to Thursday as well.
On Tuesday morning, three more games moved to Thursday. Jackson County, which is playing host to Habersham Central; Lanier Christian, which is playing on the road at Notre Dame Academy in Duluth; and Lakeview Academy, playing Bethlehem Christian on the road, all moved to Thursday. The LCA game will be a 4 p.m. kickoff.
Commerce joined the movement early Tuesday afternoon as its game with First Presbyterian was moved to Thursday with a 7 p.m. kickoff in Macon. Lumpkin County's game with Wesleyan in Norcross moved to Thursday just after 1 p.m. as well. Moments after that Jefferson announced it was moving its game with Winder-Barrow at Memorial Stadium to Thursday as did White County, which is playing host to Dawson County.
However, the week's biggest marquee matchup -- Collins Hill traveing to Buford to open Region 8-7A in a showdown of defending state title winners -- was still on for Friday. The game is being broadcast on ESPN.
Gainesville's matchup with Lanier in Sugar Hill is also still set for Friday as a function scheduled at Lanier on Thursday is complicating things. Druid Hills at Riverside Military Academy is still on for Friday, as of Tuesday afternoon.
Flowery Branch athletic director Jimmy Lawler said the move was in the best interest of the players and coaches.
"After looking at the weather forecast for Friday and speaking with officials at Clarke Central, we have decided it is in the best interest of players and fans to move the game to Thursday night," Lawler said.
West Hall coach Krofton Montgomery agreed with Lawler.
"Coach [David] Wagner looked at the weather, and we have homecoming and thought it was in the best interest to play on Thursday to steer clear of the rain is one thing but wind and potential other weather that could come with it," Montgomery said. "Luckily, Gilmer is on fall break, so we were able to work it out."
The Falcons will play host to Clarke Central on Thursday in a crucial Region 8-5A contest. Meanwhile, West Hall welcomes Gilmer to the Hot Gates on Thursday. North Hall will play at North Oconee on Thursday. Rabun County will play at Fellowship Christian. Games will kick off at 7:30 p.m.
Hurricane Ian is projected to become a major hurricane once it hits the Gulf of Mexico.
Other programs across the area are in discussions to move games as well. AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night will update as information becomes available.
SEPTEMBER 29 SCHEDULE (13 games)
Banks County at East Jackson*
Cedar Shoals at Cherokee Bluff*
Chestatee at Madison County*
Clarke Central at Flowery Branch*
Commerce at First Presbyterian
Dawson County at White County*
East Forsyth at East Hall*
Gilmer at West Hall*
Greene County at Towns County*
Habersham Central at Jackson County*
Johnson at Lakeside-DeKalb, 5:15 at Adams Stadium
Lakeview Academy at Bethlehem Christian*
Lanier Christian at Notre Dame Academy, 4 p.m.
Lumpkin County at Wesleyan*
North Hall at North Oconee*
Rabun County at Fellowship Christian*
Winder-Barrow at Jefferson*
SEPTEMBER 30 (7 games)
Collins Hill at Buford*
Druid Hills at Riverside Military
Gainesville at Lanier*
