TIFTON — Irwin County and Lanier County football fans will wait a few hours longer this weekend to see their teams play.

Irwin County head coach Buddy Nobles announced Tuesday that because Hurricane Michael is projected to come through this area, the schools agreed to postpone Friday’s game to Saturday at noon. The contest, which doubles as homecoming, will be in Ocilla.

“We’re concerned,” said Nobles of the potential for bad weather. Michael is expected to downgrade to a tropical storm by the time it reaches mid-southern Georgia, but winds and rain could cause damage.

Nobles isn’t concerned about what Michael might do to his playing field — “Our field crew does a great job,” he said — but to Irwin County itself. Power outages could last days, especially considering that Irwin County is 363 square miles and very rural. School has already been canceled for today and Thursday and the Indians won’t be on the practice field for either day.

“I’m worried about our kids,” Nobles said.

Nobles is hopeful that Irwin will be able to have a large crowd for the homecoming game. Though the result was not in their favor, Indians had full stands for their last postponement in September 2016 against Macon County.

When football finally does kick off this weekend, it will be a meeting of two teams on seemingly opposite paths. Irwin enters at 6-0, the top rated team in Class A (public). Lanier County is 0-6, with a losing skid that extends 13 games and to Sept. 22 of last year. The Bulldogs have to go even further back for a win in Region 2-A, having last scratched a ‘W’ on Sept. 16, 2016 against Wilcox County. They have won one of their previous 30 contests in that department.

Lanier County may be struggling, but the Bulldogs may not be a pushover.

With the exception of Turner County in their last contest, Lanier has scored at least two touchdowns in every game. Against Frederica Academy, one of the leading contenders in the GISA, they posted 40 points.

Rashod Brockington is a veteran starter at quarterback. He is one of the leading passers in the state and had 952 yards going into the Turner game. His yardage total is likely the highest in the region.

“We have a lot of respect for him,” said Nobles. That also extends to receiver Josh Sirmans, who he described as “shifty.” Sirmans is a freshman, Brockington a sophomore.

Nobles said that he and his coaches are making sure the Indians give Lanier County its due.

Irwin comes in after a big 46-20 victory over Charlton County. The game was close early, but opened, he said, after Garland Benyard threw a 26-yard halfback option pass to Nathan Roberts that went for a touchdown. D.J. Lundy ran for 192 yards and a touchdown. Jamal Paulk added two more on the ground.

The Bulldogs and Irwin were both off last week. Even with the bye, Irwin went ahead and worked on its plans for this week. Two practice days are out the door, but the Indians already have a solid week of preparations under their belts.

Irwin will hit the road next week, playing at Wilcox County. Wilcox is scheduled to play at Charlton County Friday.