Due to extreme heat, Belle Vernon moves up start time for Saturday’s ‘Gold Bowl’

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, July 19, 2019 | 4:52 PM

It’s going to be unpleasantly hot again Saturday — even at “The Beach.”

Belle Vernon, which likes to call its golden-turfed field at James Weir Stadium by that name, will try to beat the worst of the heat by moving up its fifth annual Gold Bowl 7-on-7 passing tournament to 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Seven teams are scheduled to compete: Belle Vernon, Frazier, Yough, Southmoreland, Connellsville, McKeesport and Burrell.

The event originally was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Leopards football coach Matt Humbert said the school’s athletic trainer will set up heat stations and will monitor players as the day goes on. He said there also will be an increased water and ice supply.

“The main concern is that the student-athletes, as well as the coaches, are monitoring hydration throughout the day,” Humbert said.

A heat advisory is in effect for the area until 8 p.m. Saturday.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s Saturday with the hottest conditions forecast for early in the afternoon. By then, the tournament should be complete, organizers hope.

The RealFeel high temperature for Saturday is 105.

GOLD BOWL CHANGE (7/20)

Start time is moved up to 7:30 AM. pic.twitter.com/oJRf2zbMnp

— Coach Humbert (@BVAFootball) July 18, 2019

73 and ☀️ at the ? pic.twitter.com/YixR2p7rkE

— Coach Humbert (@BVAFootball) July 15, 2019

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon