Due to the forecast of sleet and freezing rain over most of the state, the Arkansas Activities Association issued a release yesterday cancelling all high school football games in the state scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The decision will extend the football season in the state by one week, and will change the dates for the many of the finals games.
“This decision was based on a safety issue,” director Lance Taylor writes in the release. “We wanted to make sure everyone could travel to Little Rock or the other semifinal locations without hazardous driving conditions. We talked with several of our member schools involved in the playoffs, and we checked with the (War Memorial) stadium. This appears to be the best route to take by extending the season one week.”
Hit the jump for the full release and details on the schedule change.
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Re: High School Football Games
Winter Warning Halts All Football Play
Because of a winter storm warning that was issued on Wednesday for Thursday and into Friday for most counties in northwest and north central Arkansas, the Arkansas Activities Association has postponed all scheduled games for December 6th and 7th, which will extend the 2013 football season one week.
“This decision was based on a safety issue,” said AAA executive director Lance Taylor. “We wanted to make sure everyone could travel to Little Rock or the other semifinal locations without hazardous driving conditions. We talked with several of our member schools involved in the playoffs, and we checked with the (War Memorial) stadium. This appears to be the best route to take by extending the season one week.
“Playing in a state championship game can be a lifetime dream. We want this to be something the athletes, coaches, parents and fans will remember for the rest of their lives.”
According to several weather forecast freezing rain and sleet is likely to develop in northwest Arkansas on Thursday morning. By the end of the day sleet and snow should be falling in the northwest corner of the state. Freezing rain and sleet will likely be falling elsewhere in northwest Arkansas, in the north central part of the state, and probably down into the Ouachita Mountains.
On Friday, snow and sleet should be occurring in northwest Arkansas, probably extending into north central sections. Freezing rain and sleet are likely in a swath from the Ouachita Mountains to northeast Arkansas. Freezing rain and sleet should be pushing into parts of Central Arkansas, could total 1⁄4 to 3⁄4 inch.
Revised Schedule:
Class 7A Final – Friday, December 13, 7:00 p.m. Class 6A Final – Saturday, December 14, 6:30 p.m. Class 5A Final – Saturday, December 14, 12:00 noon
Semifinal Rounds Friday, December 13, 2013 All Games Start at 7:00 p.m. Class 4A Valley View at Warren Booneville at Dollarway
Class 3A
Earle at Charleston Smackover vs. Glen Rose (moved to Benton Harmony Grove)
Class 2A
Bearden at Des Arc Carlisle vs. Junction City (moved to El Dorado’s Memorial Stadium)Finals
Class 4A – Friday, December 20, 7:00 p.m. Class 3A – Saturday, December 21, 6:30 p.m. Class 2A – Saturday, December 21, 12:00 noon