GHSA moves high school football playoff start date due to Hurricane Helene

COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — The Georgia High School Association announced it is changing the start of the high school football playoffs due to Hurricane Helene.

The GHSA changed the last day of the regular season from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8, pushing the opening round of the state playoffs back to Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.

The association says the quarterfinal round of the playoffs will now be held Nov. 29. The semi-finals and championship still take place Dec. 16 to Dec. 18.

GHSA says the week of Nov. 8 will be used for make up games. Schools that completed games without schedule interruptions and are advancing to the postseason will have an open week before the first round of the playoffs.

According to GHSA, Schools affected by Hurricane Helene for 2 or more weeks may still have to double up and play a Thursday, Tuesday, and Saturday sequence. The association says regions will determine these scenarios with approval from the GHSA.

GHSA says other fall sports have been effected by the hurricane, and schedule changes for them will be announced later in the week. Associate Director of Football Jay Russell will communicate directly with school administration and athletics staff.

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