Students at Athens City Schools will be dismissed early today and Friday in preparation for Athens High School’s first bid for a state football title in 30 years.

Because the game will be played at 7 p.m. Friday at Legion Field in Birmingham, Superintendent Dr. Orman Bridges wanted to ensure parents, siblings and other spectators had time to get to the stadium.

Classes will end at 2:30 p.m. Friday, which Bridges hopes will help motorists avoid traffic made heavier by holiday shopping.

“That should give people time to travel to the ballgame, and since Friday is a hectic day during the holiday weekends, we want to make sure they have a safe trip down,” Bridges said.

Schools will be dismissed at 2:15 p.m. today to give students time to get to the pep rally planned for 2:45 p.m. on the Limestone County Courthouse Square.

In addition, athletic events that had been scheduled for Friday at the middle and high school – other than the football game in Birmingham – have been canceled.

School board member Sabrina Holt said administrators learned during the series of state basketball championships in which Athens High participated that many families have children at several schools who want to attend.

Athens High School will play Eufaula High School for the state Class 5A championship. Tickets are $10 for adults; $6 for students.

— Jean Cole and Kelly Kazek