Change is coming to Bridgeport High School football. Actually, change is coming to football for the entire Big 10 Conference in 2017.

 

Bridgeport High School Principal Mark DeFazio confirmed that all Big 10 games – home and away – will begin at 7 p.m. this coming season. For decades, barring a few exceptions, all kickoffs have been at 7:30 p.m.

 

“This is something we looked at a few months ago. As the discussion began, it became obvious that the administrators, athletic directors and input from the coaches was that they thought it was a good idea,” said DeFazio. “I think you’ll see more of this across the state. There are already plenty of schools that start at 7 p.m.”

 

DeFazio pointed to Bridgeport’s two non-conference foes – Keyser and Wheeling Park – those road games begin at 7 p.m.

 

“We’ve had no problems with those games and, in fact, with those long trips it’s nice to know you may get home a little bit earlier,” said DeFazio. “On a Friday night, when you’re dealing with long trips, that’s a good thing.”

 

While DeFazio said there was a clear support for the measure that will go into place, he said there were also concerns. The Big 10 has several outlying schools, particularly Preston, and for the schools the Knights still play in football (BHS is no longer on their schedule) if getting a bus to arrive at 7 p.m. is an issue accommodations can be made.

 

“We’re aware that the bus drivers involved have a first duty to get students home from school so if it’s a school that has to travel a long distance and getting to a place to play at 7 p.m. is an issue then we’ll just move it back to the regular time,” said DeFazio. “We don’t see it as a major issue because everyone has agreed if individual adjustments need to be made then they’ll be made.”

 

DeFazio said the idea was brought up as administrators and others began noticing a trend of games lasting longer each year. While he said there are a number of factors for that, he said one of the key reasons is that teams are passing the ball more and more. Every time there is an incomplete pass, the clock stops, which drags the game out.

 

“That’s one of the factors and I’m sure there are others,” said DeFazio. “There were also a lot of factors discussed as to why moving the games should prove to be a good thing.”

 

DeFazio said the 7 p.m. start will be for all Big 10 games road and away barring the aforementioned unique circumstances. He also said all non-conference home games will now have a 7 p.m. start as well.

 

“I think most people won’t have a problem with this, but anytime you have change you have adjustment issues. Once everyone is used to it, it will be routine like the 7:30 p.m. starting time,” said DeFazio.