(UPDATED – 21:49, 10/10/2024)
(UPDATED – 17:19, 10/8/2024)
Fort Mill, SC — Due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, the South Carolina High School League today voted 9-4 in favor of extending the regular season by one week for fall sports. They will not reduce the postseason and the championship weekend will be pushed back one week. SCHSL will leave it up to each school district as to how they utilize — if at all — the extension. Impacted sports include football, volleyball (boys and girls) and girls tennis.
Locally, Fort Mill High School’s football home opener against Chester was cancelled and never rescheduled due to weather. Though not Helene-related, it’s unknown if the extension will allow the school to add another game to their schedule.
Football will now end November 8 with playoffs starting November 15. SCHSL Commissioner Jerome Singleton said South Carolina State officials confirmed they can fully staff the new championship date of December 12-14.
Catawba Ridge Athletic Director Rick Lewis confirmed that the school will utilize the additional time as a bye week to prepare for post season action. While still making the transition from Clover to Nation Ford as their new athletic director, Bryan Dillon said they have not made final decisions on how they’ll utilize the opportunity. Fort Mill’s athletic director did not respond to emails.
In addition to football:
- Boys & Girls Volleyball – one week is added to the season; playoffs remain intact.
- Cross-country – championship unchanged; runners will now compete in just one race before state qualifiers.
- Girls swimming – championship unchanged; swimmers have three additional days to submit qualifying times.
- Girls tennis – one week added to the season; playoffs unchanged.
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