Due to heat wave, MHSAA/SMAC changes time of varsity football games

    Mississippi has been experiencing record breaking temperatures, 95 degrees and higher, before summer even began on June  21.     

    The extreme heat has led athlete associations and coaches in Mississippi to push back the time in which public school football games start this season.     

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other government health organizations recommend acting fast when heat exhaustion and stroke symptoms occur. 

    Heat exhaustion causes symptoms such as dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nauseu and weakness. A heat stroke can cause confusion, dizziness and unconsciousness. If a heat stroke occurs, it is recommended to call 911. 

    The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Executive Committee met in July to address recommendations from the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) and coaches.

    High school varsity football games through the month of September will begin at 7:30 p.m. This will put them in line with the heat timeout, and it will allow teams to warmup later in the day when the heat index begins to drop.

  Middle school, ninth grade and, J.V games can still be played earlier, but it is suggested that schools can change these times to begin later in the afternoon as needed.