Several Tuscaloosa area high schools delaying kickoff time for home openers due to heat

Due to the excessive heat warning in Alabama, several Tuscaloosa area high schools have pushed back their kickoff times for their home opener football games on Friday night.

Games originally were slated to kickoff at 7 p.m., but now some schools have pushed that time back to 7:30 p.m., while majority have pushed it back to 8 p.m.

The Tuscaloosa area is currently under an excessive heat warning, which in effect until 9 p.m. Friday. With the excessive heat warning, the heat index has reached values as high as 111°F in recent days.

"(Pushing the kickoff times back) was recommended by the state and the city of Tuscaloosa," Northridge coach Ryan Lolley said. "They went ahead and decided it was best for the safety of the student athletes and the fans."

At 7 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to be 91°F, while at 8 p.m., it forecasts temperatures to drop to 87°F.

WEEK 0 SCHEDULE: Tuscaloosa area high school football opening week schedule

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS: Tuscaloosa area high school football predictions for Week 0 games

Here is a list of the schools that have pushed back kickoff times:

Tonight

Cordova at Fayette County, 8 p.m.

Friday

Holt at Brookwood, 7:30 p.m.

Gordo at Sipsey Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Hale County at Northside, 7:30 p.m.

Oak Mountain at Northridge, 8 p.m.

Park Crossing at Paul Bryant, 8 p.m.

South Lamar at Lamar County, 7:30 p.m.

Sulligent at Oakman, 8 p.m.

Tuscaloosa Academy at Holy Spirit, 8 p.m.

Tuscaloosa County at Central, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Southaven (MS) at Hillcrest, 10 a.m.

Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa area high school football push back start times due to heat