The Auburn Riverside versus Kent-Meridian football game originally scheduled for Sept 8 at Auburn Memorial Field has been rescheduled for Sept. 9 at Riverside Field at Auburn Riverside High School.

The move was forced by Kent-Meridian’s rescheduling of its opener against Foss, which was moved from Thursday, Sept. 1 to Saturday, Sept. 3.

The Washington State Interscholastic Activities Association’s rules prevent teams from playing a Thursday game the week after playing a Saturday game.

Because Memorial Stadium was already in use that Saturday and Friday (Sept. 9 and 10) the game was moved to Riverside Field.

In addition, several things factored into the decision, Auburn Riverside Athletic Director Doug Aubert said, via e-mail.

“We had the band practicing all summer on a 9/11 tribute who couldn’t perform on Saturday because of other commitments,” he said. “We had a first game BBQ tailgate dinner sold at the auction. The cross country team, who runs concessions, was scheduled to run in a meet on Saturday. We didn’t want to compete with the home Husky game either, Saturday gates are bad enough.”

The Kent-Meridian Athletic Department and South Puget Sound League 4A Football Commissioner Dave Lutes agreed to the move.

The game will be the first ever varsity football game played on the Ravens’ turf. The Auburn Riverside freshman and JV football squads, as well as the soccer teams, play their home games at Riverside Field.

“Our community has really embraced the idea.” Aubert said.

Auburn Riverside staff, students and parents will all chip in and help prepare for the event, Auburn said, noting that the Gridiron Club, a group of football parents, will help move 16 sets of bleachers to the field to accommodate the expected crowds.

“It’ll be an old time football atmosphere,” Aubert said. “Loads of fun.”

Riverside Field is located at 501 Oravetz Road in Auburn.