<b>Beaufort High shifts gears after Seahawks shut down for positive COVID test</b>

One area public high school football team in Beaufort County will have to wait at least an extra week before starting its season after Hilton Head High’s opener against Beaufort High next Friday was postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests at both schools.

The Island Packet was first to report that a part-time staff member associated with the Seahawks’ football program tested positive, prompting Hilton Head High to place 18 players in quarantine. Additionally, two Beaufort High cheerleaders tested positive, the report said, resulting in 48 cheerleaders from the varsity and junior varsity squads being asked to quarantine.

As a result, the scheduled Region 7-4A opener between the longtime county rivals has been rescheduled for Oct. 30. Beaufort now plans to open its season Friday at Lexington, which had its opener postponed due to positive cases at River Bluff. At least four other games around the state have also been postponed or canceled due to positive tests.

The Seahawks are scheduled to play at Colleton County on Oct. 2, provided there are no more positive cases connected to the team.