''Friday night lights'' is turning into a decidedly afternoon affair as weather concerns this evening are prompting earlier start times for football games across the metro and state.
As of late Friday morning, 19 games were scheduled to start at 5 p.m. or earlier, including some as early as 1 p.m., according the Minnesota Football Hub. Among games rescheduled in the metro area: Academy of Holy Angels at Hill-Murray (4:30 p.m.), Brainerd at Buffalo (4 p.m.) and Woodbury at Farmington (5 p.m.).
The start time for the Bloomington Jefferson vs. Orono game was moved to 5:30 p.m. A tweet shortly after noon Friday from Orono Public Schools said, "The goal is to finish before severe weather hits. Heavy rain, lightning and hail are expected about 8 p.m., which would come toward the end of the game and could result in a long delay."
Click here for a complete list of Friday's games and start times.
A number of games also were played Thursday night, part of a pattern in recent years of opening games of the regular season being scheduled on Thursday and Friday heading into Labor Day weekend.
PAUL KLAUDA
