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By Sonny Jones

The East Bladen-West Bladen football game was postponed Thursday night because of weather-related concerns from Hurricane Ian. The contest has been rescheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at West Bladen.

Also on Thursday night, Clinton defeated Fairmont 48-7 and Midway beat Red Springs 42-12. Those schools opted to play instead of delay games until Monday.

New Hanover County called off its games Thursday. Seven of the eight games involving Cumberland County teams were played Thursday with the Pine Forest at Terry Sanford game moved to Monday.

In Columbus County, Whiteville beat East Columbus 44-7 while two games were postponed — West Columbus vs. Heide Trask and South Columbus vs. Pender. All four games involving Robeson County teams were played Thursday.

It was that way through much of eastern North Carolina on Thursday. Many games were played. Some were not.

So, who made the right call deciding whether to play Thursday night or postpone until another day?

The answer: Both.

It’s best to leave it up to the competing schools and the administrations to decide. I don’t question the decision to play or not play. Just like I don’t question when administrators call off school because of weather concerns.

Sure, at times the decision doesn’t work out. There have been games postponed or school days canceled ahead of time and the weather is fine. I still don’t question the decision. Officials made the best decision based on the information available and we move on.

Pray for a safe Friday for everyone as Ian brings rain and wind, then get ready for a football game Monday at West Bladen.

• Oscar Gonzalez is my new favorite baseball player. The Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder’s walk-up music is the theme from “SpongeBob SquarePants.” “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? …”

FRIDAY’S PICK TO CLICK

Aaron Judge hits No. 62 against Baltimore’s Jordan Lyles to set the American League season record and allow the New York outfielder to take a break prior to the playoffs. Judge is 5-for-14 with 2 homers against Lyles for his career.

THURSDAY’S PICK: Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase has more than 100 yards receiving for the first time this season and scores a touchdown against Miami. RESULTS: Chase had four receptions for 81 yards and didn’t score a touchdown, although he was tackled at the 5 after a 36-yard catch late in the game.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

• 1927 — Babe Ruth hits his 60th home run of the season in the eighth inning off Tom Zachary to lead the New York Yankees to a 4-2 victory over the Washington Senators.

WHAT TO WATCH TODAY

• DP WORLD TOUR: Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, 7 a.m., GOLF

• LPGA: Volunteers of America Classic, 12:30 p.m., GOLF

• MLB: Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs, 2 p.m., MLBN

• PGA: Sanderson Farms Championship, 3:30 p.m., GOLF

• FOOTBALL: Tulane at Houston, 7 p.m., ESPN

• MLB: Boston at Toronto, 7 p.m., MLBN

• FOOTBALL: Collins Hill (Ga.) High at Buford (Ga.) High, 7 p.m., ESPN2

• FOOTBALL: UTSA at Middle Tennessee St., 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

• FOOTBALL: San Diego St. at Boise St., 8 p.m., FS1

• FOOTBALL: Washington at UCLA, 10:30 p.m., ESPN

• CFL: Ottawa at British Columbia, 10:30 p.m., ESPN2