South Medford, EP, Phoenix move football games - Sports - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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South Medford, EP, Phoenix move football games SOU coach Charlie Hall talks with his football team during Tuesday morning's practice at Raider Stadium. {Daily Tidings / Andy Atkinson] Wednesday Aug 30, 2017 at 11:37 AM Aug 30, 2017 at 6:08 PM Staff reports High schools in Southern Oregon are moving, canceling or postponing outdoor athletic events because of unsafe smoke levels. Eagle Point, South Medford and Phoenix announced today that football games schedule for their home stadiums will be moved. On Thursday, Eagle Point will play Glencoe at Del Norte, California, at 7 p.m. On Friday, South Medford will play at Wilsonville, and Phoenix will play Crook County in Sutherlin. Both games are at 7 p.m. Cascade Christian will host Henley at 8 p.m. Friday. No word yet on whether Crater or Rogue River home games have changed. Soccer matches on Tuesday and today involving several schools were canceled or postponed. In the college ranks, Southern Oregon University announced late Tuesday its home game slated for Thursday against Eastern Oregon has been postponed. Here's a press release regarding South Medford's game: Spiegelberg Stadium will be dark and empty this Friday. In what may be a first, neither North Medford High School nor South Medford High School will play an opening football game in the stadium due to poor air quality caused by surrounding forest fires. “We basically had three options regarding South’s scheduled home game vs. Wilsonville: take a chance hoping air quality will change by Friday and plan to play, cancel the game, or move the game,” said Medford School District Athletic Director Amy Tiger. “Obviously, playing at home is the first choice, but we can’t risk students playing in unhealthy air conditions. In order to make the option of moving the game work, we needed to make a decision by Wednesday.” The South Medford High School varsity football team will travel to Wilsonville where air quality is better. SMHS beat Wilsonville at home last year. “Wilsonville was generous in hosting us and making the switch. We are grateful," said South Medford High School Athletic Director Tim Rupp. Season ticket holders who already purchased tickets will be compensated with basketball tickets to a game of their choice, not including the North vs. South game. Tickets can be redeemed at the athletic office at the beginning of basketball season in November. The South vs. Wilsonville game will be carried on Radio Medford radio at 99.5 FM and 880 AM. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm. North Medford High School football opens at Fortuna and can be heard on ESPN Radio 96.1 FM or 580 AM. The Medford School District is closely monitoring air quality and following OSAA and Oregon Health Authority guidelines on holding outdoor activities.