Hours before they were scheduled to kick off, the Friday night football games of Mt. Blue and Poland Regional high schools have undergone changes.

Due to a positive COVID-19 case at Bucksport High School and the contact tracing that followed, its game against Poland has been canceled.

“Bucksport High School was informed today of a positive case of COVID-19 associated with the high school, and through the process of contact tracing, it was determined it was necessary to cancel tonight’s football game with Poland Regional High School,” RSU 25 superintendent Jim Boothby said in a statement that Ellsworth American and Mount Desert Islander sports reporter Mike Mandell shared with the Sun Journal.

The game will not be rescheduled. The Knights will have to wait until Week 3 to play their first game of the season after having a bye week in Week 1. Poland’s opponent in next Friday is Madison/Carrabec. 

Poland isn’t the only area team that is left hoping to play its first game next week. Leavitt’s first two games were canceled due to the COVID-19 issues of their opponents.

Mt. Blue, meanwhile, will have to wait until Monday at 6 p.m. to host its game with Cony High School. According to a tweet by Cony football coach B.L. Lippert on Friday afternoon, the Cougars’ field “is unplayable for tonight.”

Mt. Blue field is apparently unplayable for tonight. Our game is now Monday night at 6PM. That'll be a first.

— BL Lippert (@coachlip) September 10, 2021

Lisbon’s game at Madison/Carrabec, slated for Friday night, was initially moved to Saturday afternoon. Then late Friday night the game was canceled.

Three other Week 2 games were changed:

• Morse’s matchup with Mount Desert Island has been canceled due to COVID issues. The Shipbuilders will instead host Camden Hills on Saturday in Bath.

• Maranacook’s game with Cheverus has moved to Monday night.

• Oceanside at Old Town has moved from Saturday to Monday because of field conditions and a lack of officials.