The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors and Commissioner Que Tucker have made the decision to adjust the playoff calendar for fall sports following historic flooding and devastation in many areas of eastern North Carolina.

“The complexity of adjusting dates for playoff rounds and state championships in fall sports are difficult even in the best of times; however, we must do everything in our power to do what is best for the students who participate in our programs across the state,” Tucker said. “Minimizing risk of injury while providing a wholesome athletic environment that supports and enriches the educational experience for our student-athletes must always be paramount in our decision making.”

The biggest change is the addition of an extra week at the end of the football regular season, meaning teams in the western half of the state who were unaffected by Florence will have an extra bye week before the playoffs. Polk County’s final regular-season game is the Nov. 2 game against Madison. State playoff action will not begin until Nov. 16.

Girls tennis remains unchanged.

The following dates have been adjusted:

Women’s Golf

Reporting Deadline: 9 p.m. Oct. 10 (changed from 3 p.m.)

Regional Championships: Oct. 15 (no change)

State Championships: Oct. 22-23 (no change)

Cross Country

Reporting Deadline: 9 p.m. Oct. 19 (changed from 3 p.m.)

Regional Championships: Oct. 27 (no change)

State Championships: Nov. 3 (no change)

Volleyball

Prior to 11:59 p.m., Oct. 20, teams affected by the hurricane are permitted to exceed the weekly limitation — maximum of five matches per week; however, daily limitations remain unchanged

Seeding: Oct. 22 (changed from Oct. 18)

First Round: Oct. 23

Second Round: Oct. 25

Third Round: Oct. 27

Fourth Round: Oct. 30

Semifinals: Nov. 1

State Championship: Nov. 3 (no change)

Men’s Soccer

Seeding: Oct. 31 (changed from Oct. 29)

First Round: Nov. 3

Second Round: Nov. 6

Third Round: Nov. 8

Fourth Round: Nov. 10

Regionals: Nov. 13

State Championship: Nov. 17 (no change)

Football

Last Regular Season Play date: Nov. 9 (changed from Nov. 2)

Seeding: Nov. 10 (changed from Nov. 3)

First Round: Nov. 16

Second Round: Nov. 23

Third Round: Nov. 30

Regionals: December 7

State Championships: Dec. 14 – 15 (changed from Dec. 8)

– Submitted by PolkSports.com