FRANKLIN—The Franklin High School boys’ basketball season will be delayed because at least 22 of its members play on the state-playoff bound football team.

Bronco Basketball Coach Danny Dillon said Wednesday he has postponed tonight’s scheduled, opener at Northampton High School. He expects to do the same for the Friday, Dec. 10, home opener with Southampton High School. The games will be rescheduled.

There’s a possibility the team’s first Tri-Rivers District game against Chesterfield on Thursday, Dec. 16, also will be postponed, Dillon said.

“Our first game might be the Southampton (High School) game (away on Tuesday, Dec. 28),” he said.

The Broncos’ football team will play in the state semifinals at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, against Riverheads High School. The game will be played at Armory Field in Franklin.

With so many junior varsity and varsity basketball players on the football team, basketball practices have been impossible, Dillon said.

“We had an open gym to get an idea of the talent, and only eighth-graders were there,” he said.

When Franklin’s football teams won the 2004 and 2008 state titles, the same thing happened.

“The first year I coached was in 2004, but it seemed to work out. We posted one of the best seasons in the last 10 to 12 years — 20-6,” Dillon said. “In 2008, we won the district tournament.”

“We kind of got off to a late start and were on the court less than other schools, but we hit our stride in February,” he added.

Other schools in the Tri-Rivers District include Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Surry, Sussex, Charles City and Chesterfield.