BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE..........
20-4A, 23-2A football schedules revised
By JOHNNIE WALTERS
September, 22, 2008
A couple of days notice just wasn't enough time.
Many high school athletes are still not accounted for and quite a few facilities still need to be checked for infrastructure problems.
So the District 20-4A and 23-2A committees decided to postpone Friday's district-opening games.
"I really think it was the best thing to do," said Vidor football coach Jeff Mathews. "Since Hurricane Gustav, we really hadn't practiced for the last two weeks. Some of my players still aren't back, yet, and it really wasn't enough time to prepare. I think everybody in Southeast Texas is in the same boat."
Originally scheduled football games for this Friday in 20-4A have been moved to Tuesday, Sept. 30. Port Neches-Groves-Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Central-Vidor, Nederland-Ozen, and Livingston-Lumberton will all begin at 7:30 p.m.
The PN-G vs. LC-M game was moved to Little Cypress because of ongoing construction at PN-G's stadium.
"I'm glad we get to play everybody in district," said Ozen coach Ishan Rison. "It allows the playoff spots to be determined on the field."
Because of the revised schedule, next Friday's 20-4A games have been moved to Saturday, Oct. 4. Nederland-PN-G, Ozen-Livingston, Lumberton-Vidor, and Central-LC-M will all begin at 7:30 p.m.
The University Interscholastic League has allowed all varsity football teams to play with four days in between games, rather than five, through Oct. 4. Thereafter, all games are subject to the five-day rule.
"It's going to be rough," Mathews said. "Conditioning is going to be a big issue for us. We will have only three or four days to practice and then we will have to play. But everybody is in the same boat, so we are going to do the best that we can to prepare for district games."
The committee will meet either Wednesday or Thursday to determine the fate of the volleyball season. Most teams have played only one game with the exception of PN-G and LC-M which played two because both began district play on Sept. 4.