Extreme heat conditions force Fresno-area high schools to change football kickoff times

Extreme heat this week is forcing school districts to adjust football kickoff times at many games in the Central Section.

The National Weather Service in Hanford is predicting temperatures to be at 106 degrees on Thursday and 108 on Friday in Fresno, prompting an excessive heat warning from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Sept. 6. Some surrounding areas are predicted to see even higher temperatures.

“Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the weather service says in a heat warning.

Most junior varsity games will start at 6 or 6:30 p.m. with eight-minute quarters. In the second half, games will have a running clock.

Brett Marr, the Fresno Unified athletics manager, said teams will have extra rest periods and water breaks during practices that are recommended because of the sweltering heat.

“By 7 p.m., the temperature is usually below 105 which is the number we use to stop all outdoor activities,” he wrote in an email to The Bee. “It will always be recommended for athletes and coaches to stay hydrated, stay in the shade when possible, and take extra breaks as needed from activity. If you are not feeling well, let someone know.”

Week 3

Thursday, Sept. 1

Nonleague

Corcoran at Hanford West, 7 p.m. (Neighbor Bowl)

Roosevelt at Mission Oak, 8 p.m. (Bob Mathias Stadium)

Intersectional

Rosamond at Colton, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2

Nonleague

McLane at Mission Prep, 7 p.m.

Sanger West at Garza, 7 p.m.

Nipomo at Santa Maria, 7 p.m.

Paso Robles at Atascadero, 7 p.m.

Righetti at Pioneer Valley, 7 p.m.

Arroyo Grande at San Luis Obispo, 7 p.m.

East Bakersfield at Templeton, 7 p.m.

Cabrillo at Lompoc, 7 p.m.

Morro Bay at Santa Ynez, 7 p.m.

Delano at North, 7:15 p.m.

Lindsay at Exeter, 7:30 p.m.

Hoover at Edison, 7:30 p.m. (Sunnyside Stadium)

Bullard at Frontier, 7:30 p.m.

Desert at Farmersville, 7:30 p.m.

Golden Valley-Bakersfield at South, 7:30 p.m.

Independence at Centennial, 7:30 p.m.

Kennedy at Highland, 7:30 p.m.

Kern Valley at Arvin, 7:30 p.m.

Mira Monte at Shafter, 7:30 p.m.

Orange Cove at Parlier, 7:30 p.m.

Porterville at Foothill, 7:30 p.m.

Stockdale at Ridgeview, 7:30 p.m.

Taft at Tehachapi, 7:30 p.m.

Clovis West at Lemoore, 7:30 p.m.

Strathmore at Mendota, 7:30 or 7:45 p.m.

Clovis North at El Diamante, 8 p.m. (Visalia Community Stadium)

Washington Union at Torres, 8 p.m. (Madera South Stadium)

Golden West at Hanford, 8 p.m.

Firebaugh at Caruthers, 8 p.m.

Immanuel at Fowler, 8 p.m.

Kingsburg at Dinuba, 8 p.m.

Madera at Kerman, 8 p.m.

Mt. Whitney at Tulare Western, 8 p.m. (Bob Mathias Stadium)

Tulare at Redwood, 8 p.m. (Mineral King Bowl)

Central Valley Christian at Bakersfield Christian, 8 p.m.

Monache at Wasco, 8 p.m.

Avenal at Riverdale, 8 p.m.

McFarland at Granite Hills, 8:30 p.m.

Clovis East at Sanger, 8:30 p.m.

Dos Palos at Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 8:30 p.m.

Selma at Coalinga, 8:30 p.m. or 9 p.m.

Intersectional

Laton at Pinewood-Los Altos Hills, 4 p.m.

Foothill-Palo Cedro at Buchanan, 7:30 p.m.

Branson at Fresno Christian, 6:30 p.m.

Central at Turlock, 7 p.m.

Alpaugh at Maricopa, 7 p.m.

Vasquez-Acton at California City, 7 p.m.

Pyramid Lake-Nixon, Nev. at Mammoth, 7 p.m.

Boron at Riverside Prep, 7 p.m.

Fernley-Nevada at Bishop, 7 p.m.

Lancaster Baptist at Trona, 7 p.m.

Garces at Bishop Diego-Santa Barbara, 7 p.m. (Santa Barbara City Stadium)

Whitney-Rocklin at Clovis, 7:30 p.m.

Sierra at Yosemite, 7:30 p.m.

Tranquillity at Le Grand, 8:15 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 3

Nonleague

Woodlake at Sierra Pacific, 10:15 a.m. (Neighbor Bowl)

Lone Pine at Coleville, 1 p.m.

San Joaquin Memorial vs. Queen Creek, Arizona, 4 p.m. (Moorpark)

Orcutt Academy at Valley Christian Academy-Santa Maria, 7 p.m.

Riverdale Christian at Anzar-San Juan Baustista, 7 p.m.

Cuyama Valley vs. Frazier Mountain, 7 p.m