CHAPEL HILL — Due to the growing concern over the COVID-19 pandemic, the N.C. High School Athletic Association announced Wednesday it is shifting the high school sports calendar, pushing back the start of most sports by months.

“The Board of Directors approved a framework we believe maximizes the opportunities for students in our membership to participate in athletics at some point during this school year,” NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker said. “There is still much work to be done on the details of implementing athletic programs and contests during this pandemic.”

The biggest change is that high school football will not start until Feb. 8, with competition starting Feb. 26. The high school state championships will be held April 9 with only seven regular season games played.

Fall sports such as cross country and volleyball will begin Nov. 4 with competitions starting Nov. 16. The state championships for both sports will be Jan. 8.

Men’s soccer will be pushed back to Jan. 11. Its first match will be Jan. 25. The soccer state championships will be held March 12.

Women’s tennis will be moved to the spring, as its season starts April 12 with matches being held April 26. The state championships will be played June 11.

Golf will also be moved to the spring. Its season begins March 1. The first matches will be March 15 and the state tournament begins April 30.

Winter sports such as basketball and swimming and diving will stay on course.

Swimming will begin Nov. 23 with competitions happening Dec. 7. Its state championships will be Jan. 30.

Basketball will be pushed back slightly to Dec. 7 and its regular season starts Jan. 4. The state championships are Feb. 19.

Wrestling will be pushed from winter to spring, starting April 12. The first contest is April 26 and the state tournament will begin June 11.

Most spring sports will stay on course, with some only being pushed back a month or two.

Baseball and track and field will be affected the most. Those sports can begin practices April 12 and competitions April 26. Both of those state championships will happen June 11.

“We believe in the mantra that we will play again and it is in that spirit that we present this calendar,” Tucker said. “It is our belief that this calendar provides us the greatest chance of providing interscholastic athletic opportunities to the students of the NCHSAA for the 2020-21 academic year. We believe that this is the best path forward to a safe return to the field.”