The Sights And Sounds Of Football Season: Piedmont Game Delayed Slightly Due To Heat

High school football action returns this week, and schools across the state are adjusting because of the heat. 

Piedmont and Noble won't kick off until 8 p.m. Friday night.

News 9’s Colby Thelen went to Piedmont to learn about the technology they rely on to make that decision. 

It’s that time of year fans wait for: the sights and sounds. But this time of year it’s another sound for Piedmont athletic trainer Bryan Smith

“Yeah that’s pretty hot,” Smith said. A sound of warning. “That tells us right there we’re too hot to be doing anything outdoors,” he said.

It’s called a wet bulb sensor, and it’s a decision maker. “The device measures relative humidity, wind, direct sun, heat, heat index,” Smith said.

All those things thrown into a formula, showing what is and isn’t safe for student athletes. 

“We kind of have to get out in it, but we try to get out in it and do the safest thing possible,” Smith said.

Rising readings come with progressive protocols. “That’s going to put you in the red category,” Smith said.

Athletic director Todd Goolsby said they don’t budge on the corresponding precautions. “We want to make sure we’re doing all we can to protect these students,” Goolsby said.

In orange, football teams get an additional set of rules for breaks. A move to the red zone means no more than an hour without equipment. 

“It's allowed us to be on the same page with wet bulb temperatures and wet bulb practices,” Goolsby said. Practices moved to early morning or late evenings.

“I think everybody, including Piedmont, is getting the right preparation for a week 0 game,” Goolsby said. It’s why this week zero will have a later start time. 

“Doesn’t help that the wind stopped,” Smith said. Data to show what Smith already knows. 

“You know that’s pretty hot, my head's telling us the same.” Adjustments made to help him do his job. Even if fans have to wait for the sights and sounds of this time of year just a bit longer.