Fans planning to attend Friday night’s football showdown between North Central and Buford should take note of a schedule change.
Due to extreme heat conditions forecast for the area, school officials have announced that kickoff for the Knights’ road game at Buford has been moved from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The adjustment is being made to provide safer playing conditions for student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators.
Temperatures and heat index values have remained elevated throughout the week across the Midlands, prompting many athletic programs to monitor weather conditions closely and make adjustments to practice and game schedules when necessary.
The extra 30 minutes before kickoff is expected to allow temperatures to drop slightly before players take the field. Coaches and athletic trainers will continue emphasizing hydration and heat safety measures leading up to and during the contest.
North Central enters the matchup looking to build momentum early in the season, while Buford will be aiming to defend its home field in what is expected to be a competitive region battle.
Fans attending the game are encouraged to arrive prepared for warm conditions by staying hydrated and taking advantage of available shade whenever possible. School officials also recommend following team and school social media channels for any additional weather-related updates.
The North Central-Buford game will now kick off at 8 p.m. Friday at Buford High School, a half-hour later than originally scheduled because of extreme heat concerns.
