The possible heat-related deaths of two high school football players in August aren’t likely to spark a later start to the football season, a top state official said Wednesday.

Ralph Swearngin, executive director of the Georgia High School Association, told the State Board of Education that a one- or two-week delay might be considered if there were evidence it could help.

But that wouldn’t mean more than a 1- to 2-degree break in temperature, Swearngin said.

And it could mean that schools would be playing fewer games and bringing in less revenue, he said.

His statement came in response to a state board member’s question about a possible change in the football season’s start date.

High school football players from Locust Grove and Fitzgerald died. Previously, there had not been any heat-related deaths of high school football players in Georgia in five years.

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Corbin Spencer, right, field director of New Georgia Project and volunteer Rodney King, left, help Rueke Uyunwa register to vote. The influential group is shutting down after more than a decade. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2017)

Credit: Hyosub Shin