For 2018-19 season, prep sports calendar gets big changes

The state CIF has moved up its championships in several sports beginning with the 2018-19 season, and that means the prep season will begin earlier and end earlier. Sections around the state also will be changing their calendars.

In the Southern Section, zero week football teams will be held on Aug. 17 in 2018, followed by week 1 games on Aug. 24. Week 10 is Oct. 26 and the playoffs are Nov. 2, 9, 16, followed by the section finals on Nov. 23-24. The CIF Regionals are Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and the state championship bowl games are Dec. 7-8.

In girls’ volleyball, the new first contest is Aug. 13 and the state championships are Nov. 16-17.

In basketball, the first contest is Nov. 12. The Southern Section finals are Feb. 22-23 in 2019. The Southern Section regionals are Feb. 26, 28, March 2 and 5. The state championshps are March 8-9.

In soccer, the first contest is Nov. 12. The Southern Section finals are Feb. 22-23.

In track, the first contest is Feb. 16. The Southern Section prelims are May 4 and championshps May 11. The state championships are May 24-25, 2019.

The changes are being made because many schools have switched the start of classes to early August from September.

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