AIA postpones Phoenix Christian-Round Valley 2A football final because of snow storm
Richard Obert
Eagar Round Valley and Phoenix Christian's football teams will have an extra week of practice to get ready for their 2A championship game with snow forecast in the higher part of Arizona.
The Eagar-Springerville community is nestled at about 7,000 feet in northeastern Arizona.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association is siding with caution and announced during Tuesday's state high school football championships media day at Dave & Buster's at Tempe Marketplace the 2A final would be postponed until Dec. 6 at a site to be determined.
Round Valley was the only state final school not represented at the AIA's news conference which was staged for the final teams in 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and the new Open Division.
The 2A final was originally scheduled for Friday night.
"We got a call from the AIA and they asked how we felt about it," Phoenix Christian coach Brian Cole said. "At first we thought it would be pushed back one day. I was like, 'Hey, whatever you've got to do.' I get it.
"We took a trip (to Round Valley) earlier in the year, and that trip without the elements is bad enough. We understand it."
Both schools are riding momentum.
But the big conferences are having byes during Thanksgiving week, giving them an extra week to prepare for their opponents.
"They have the same situation, they're in the same boat," Cole said. "Whatever it is, we'll make arrangements and be ready."
One change is that Cole will give his players Thanksgiving Day off. Normally, teams would have a walk-through on Thursday as they make their final state championship preparations.
The AIA learned the hard way last basketball season when a blizzard hit northern Arizona and it had to scramble to move state semifinal and championship games for the small schools.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
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