NJSIAA address tournament schedules in Sandy's wake

By Phil Anastasia

The football tournament will be pushed back a week if any NJSIAA school is unable to open until Monday as a result of damage from Hurricane Sandy, the NJSIAA announced on Monday.

That's a worst-case scenario as schools are expected to re-open on Wednesday or Thursday -- although a lot depends on the damage along the shore.

In the most-likey case, in which all schools re-open this weekn, the football playoff schedule would not be altered.

The NJSIAA on Monday issued a statement that addressed plans for resuming/start state tournament action in fall sports in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Most schools in the state will be closed both Monday and Tuesday. Some could be closed Wednesday as well.

The NJSIAA statement is as follows:

Due to the current storm, multiple New Jersey high school championship events have been rescheduled by the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association). The association has also issued potential schedule revisions, pending when member schools are able to re-open.


Those sports in which scheduling revisions are or may be in effect are cross country, field hockey, football, boys and girls soccer, and volleyball. All schedules are subject to further change, based on the storm's progress.


The NJSIAA will continue to be flexible in scheduling, and will always be primarily focused on the safety of its student-athletes, coaches, and fans. Athletic directors at high schools involved in the rescheduling will be notified of specifics by the NJSIAA.


Specific changes and potential schedule revisions are as follows:


Cross Country

A decision on rescheduling will be made on Wednesday, October 31, pending assessment of conditions at courses around the state.



Field Hockey

At this time, no final decision has been made related to revised scheduling. The current goal is to complete quarterfinals by Saturday, November 3.



Additional information will be provided to athletic directors via sectional assigners.



Football

If all member schools are back in session on/before Thursday, November 1, all final regular season games will need to be completed no later than Sunday, November 4. Seeding will take place on Monday, November 5. The schedule for championship football events will remain unchanged, as follows:

-- First round: Friday and Saturday, November 9-10

-- Second round: Friday and Saturday, November 16-17

 -- Finals: Friday and Saturday, November 30 - December 1



If any school is unable to re-open until Monday, November 5, then the seeding meeting will be held on Sunday, November 11, and the football playoffs will be pushed back one week, as follows:

-- First round: Friday and Saturday, November 16-17

-- Second round: Friday and Saturday, November 30 - December 1

-- Finals: Friday and Saturday, December 7-8



Boys Soccer

The association's current goal is to complete tournament rounds as follows:

-- First round, by Thursday, November 1

-- Second round, by Saturday, November 3

-- Final round games by Monday, November 5 and/or Thursday, November 8



In addition, the NJSIAA will permit teams to play doubleheaders.



Girls Soccer

The association's current goal is to play tournament rounds as follows:

-- First round, starting on Friday, November 2

-- Second round, on Monday, November 5

-- Final round games on Wednesday, November 7 and/or Friday, November 9


In addition, the NJSIAA will permit teams to play doubleheaders.



Volleyball

Timing for the first two rounds of the volleyball state championships has been altered as follows:

-- The initial round -- originally on Tuesday, October 30 -- will be played on Wednesday, October 31

-- The second round -- on Thursday, November 1 -- will be played on Friday, November 2.


Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.