Several football teams forced to change game plans ahead of Florence

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Florence approaches the east coast, several sports teams have changed their game plans.

[UPDATES: Florence to move from 'wind machine' to 'heavy rainmaker' after landfall]

The Carolina Panthers told Channel 9 that it's too early to decide their next steps ahead of Hurricane Florence, but they are exploring all options.

[RELATED: hurricane Florence could impact games in Carolinas, Virginia]

On Wednesday afternoon, the Charlotte 49ers announced they moved their game against Old Dominion University to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Athletic Director Mike Hill said after looking at the path of the hurricane, their choices were to cancel the game or move it up.

[15 safety tips that could save your life during a hurricane]

ODU is in Norfolk, Virginia, which was under an evacuation order earlier in the week.

The ODU monarchs had already traveled to Charlotte but with the storm's new track, they're hoping to play the game and return to Virginia before it hits.

[RELATED: UNC-Wilmington issues mandatory evacuation order beginning Monday]

The high school football schedule has been thrown off as well due to the storm.

All Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools play at 6 p.m. Wednesday to beat the hurricane.

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