Here's why Savannah High football's kickoff time with visiting Metter has been moved
The starting time for Savannah High's football game with visiting Metter has been moved from 7:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday night due to concerns from Metter's athletic department, Sheila Blanco, the Public Information Manager of the Savannah Chatham Public School System, confirmed Wednesday.
The game will be the first home contest for Savannah High since its game with Cross Creek was called off early on Sept. 15 when a fight broke out on the field. During the melee, a Savannah High assistant coach was hit in the head with a helmet by a player and had to be hospitalized overnight.
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The Georgia High School Association penalized Savannah High and Cross Creek and both teams had to forfeit their next games.
Savannah High forfeited its game with Bulloch Academy, and the Blue Jackets fell to 0-7 on the season in a 21-0 loss at Claxton last week. Savannah High also had to pay a fine of $1,500 and the program will be on probation for a year.
Superintendent Fred Longgrear of the Candler County Board of Education reportedly reached out to the SCCPSS with concerns about the game, and offered to have Metter host the Region 3-A Division I matchup.
"I heard they reached out and wanted to host the game so everything could proceed in a safe manner," Savannah High's Co-Athletic Director George Brown. "We suggested that the game time be moved up to 6 p.m., and they agreed. I think it will be a good setting to highlight the positive aspects of our program and the Savannah High community."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah High football's kickoff time vs. Metter changed
