Hurricane Ivan has blown away the tradition of football Friday night this week for some schools.

With the winds and rains from the hurricane heading this way, school officials across the Tri-State are scrambling to come up with plans to ensure the safety of their players and fans.

The Ironton and Boyd County, Ky., game has been moved up to 7:30 tonight at Tanks Memorial Stadium. The South Point at Greenup County, Ky., game will also be played at 7:30 tonight. Coal Grove will play at Portsmouth East tonight at 7.

All the schools agreed that safety comes first.

"It was a combined decision between the athletic directors of both schools. It was mutually agreed upon," Ironton Superintendent Dean Nance said. "A lot of schools in Kentucky are doing this because of the projected rainfall from Ivan."

"It is already in Kentucky coming this way. At least for the safety of the kids, they won't be playing on a field that has been rained on for two days."

Other county schools were still evaluating their options as of press time, but the games were still to be played as scheduled. Because many of the schools are on the road, officials have to wait for word from the host schools.

Symmes Valley's home game with South Gallia will go on as planned but homecoming festivities will be held next Friday and Saturday.