Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes


1998 will see some major schedule changes for some schools. If I remember correctly, a few years ago some school(s) brought up the fact that Virginia’s 2-year cycle began with an even year, while our neighboring states had cycles beginning in an odd year. (The cycle is used for classification purposes and for drawing up game contracts, allowing schools to set up a home-and-home series and make out their schedules for a 2-year period.) This made it difficult for Va. teams to play out-of-state opponents (remember when the Va. High - Tenn. High series had to change dates a few years back?).

Well, seems like it was decided that Va. would get in sync with our neighbors by having a 3-year cycle from Fall 1996 - Summer 1999. This allowed some schools to set up some 2 for 1 deals (like Va. Tech did with Miami, Fl. in the early 80’s), and other schools to drop some former opponents and pick up new ones. I also expect some of the more popular (read: high attendance) teams to play all of their non-district games at home. While I haven’t seen any official schedules as of mid-July, I know that Grundy received permission to open a week early to play in a kick-off type event over in Pike County, Ky. (the Golden Wave opens on August 22nd against the Knott Co. Central Patriots in the Pike Co./Pepsi Bowl.)

FYI:
The first practice date for teams is Monday, August 3rd (unless they open early).
The regular season opens Fri. Aug. 28th.
The state semi’s will once again be over Thanksgiving weekend.
The state finals will share a date with the SAT test (Dec. 5th).


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