In an effort to align its schedules with neighboring counties and give its schools state playoff opportunities, the Pasco County school district announced Wednesday its fall sports teams may begin practice Monday.

The county recently pushed back its initial practice date to Sept. 7, amid concerns over the lingering COVID-19 crisis. The new start date coincides with the first day of classes for students.

Under the new timetable, the first fall-sports contests may begin Sept. 8, with the first night of football games set to be held Sept. 11.

“This change in date will allow us to align with the majority of surrounding counties and will allow all fall sports to participate in the (Florida High School Athletic Association) state series,” the district said on its official athletics Twitter account.

On Friday, the association’s board of directors voted to allow state schools to begin fall sports practices Aug. 24. School districts hit especially hard by the COVID-19 crisis have until Sept. 18 to opt out of the state playoff series and can devise their own 2020-21 sports calendars, with the help of the association staff.

Public schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties also will begin fall sports workouts Monday. Hernando is set to commence practices Sept. 14. No decision has been made as to whether Hernando schools will make themselves eligible for the state series, a district spokesperson said.