It's an epic event Central Texas sports fans wait for all year, but the Belton-Tiger rivalry game will not take place in 2020. What a dumpster fire of a year it's been, right?

The game had been scheduled for this Friday, November 13 at Wildcat Stadium. However, the 12-6A District Executive Committee (DEC) recently voted to allow area teams one opportunity to reschedule a game due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. District administrators determined that the rescheduled game should be played in the order in which it was originally cancelled.

"The Belton-Harker Heights football game was the first missed game for Belton High School due to COVID-19 safety quarantining efforts which means this the only game eligible to be rescheduled for the Tigers," Belton athletic officials stated in a news release. "The rationale behind the DEC's decision was based on the current schedule, which includes only one bye week, and therefore, allows for only one make-up game."

Tony Adams, play-by-play voice for the Belton Tigers on KRock1017 radio and Sports Editor for the Belton Journal, informed us Wednesday that the Belton vs Harker Heights game has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 3 with a 7 PM kickoff. You can hear pre-game coverage beginning at 6:45 PM on KRock1017, at krock1017fm.com, and on the free KRock1017 app or Alexa skill.

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“It was not a decision that came lately for anyone involved,“ Tony said. “More than just Belton and Temple was affected. The the District 12-6A Executive Committee had to consider Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Killeen, and Ellison, since they all were involved with the postponed games as well. While we are all disappointed that Belton and Temple is off the table for 2020, we have to consider the health and welfare of the coaches, teachers, employees and students over the entirety of the area so they can remain healthy and can lead active lives. While rivalries are fun, healthy friends and family are of utmost importance.”

I have to agree with Tony on this one.

On Tuesday, Bell County Public Health District Director Dr. Amanda Robison-Chadwell reported that a Belton woman in her 30's passed away as a result of COVID-19 infection. The county added 49 new reported cases of infection on Tuesday alone, bringing the total number of active cases here to 630.

The BCPHD recently reported a post-Halloween surge in cases and raised the COVID-19 threat level. They're asking that Central Texans be safe and mindful to help slow the spread of the virus, and to get an updated flu shot.

You can view the BCPHD's COVID-19 dashboard here.

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