Amherst Co., VA - In Amherst County, the winning football team is causing havoc for the county's annual Christmas Parade. The High School team is playing in the State Championship game this Saturday at 4:45 in Lynchburg. The parade will start at 7:00 in the town of Amherst.

That means people will have to choose and most are choosing the game. Amherst County's third straight trip to the title game will likely hurt attendance at this year's Amherst Christmas Parade. But at least the Parade Director will be there.

Jose Davila, Amherst Parade Director - "No I'm not conflicted because I have to be here to direct this parade, haha."

Jose Davila says two floats have already pulled out of the parade in order to attend the game.

Davila - "We thought they would have an earlier time, everyone did."

Davila has tried to move this year's parade to 8:00 so the team, the cheerleaders and the school band could participate. But the state won't let them reapply for a road closure permit.

Davila - "We have to apply to VDOT (web) for our permits so that we can use the time allotted to close the roads down."

Dr. Brian Ratliff, Amherst County School Superintendent - "I think I've described it as a pretty definite Catch 22 that we are in here."

The same thing happened last year when the Lancers advanced to the championship game.

Dr. Ratliff - "It makes it problematic for folks in the community, when the times run together so closely."

Cynthia Blair-McDaniels, Believes Football Comes First - "I think they should have a big parade another time, either before or after the football game."

Walter Simmons, Amherst Resident - "I say move it one day, that would be an easy solution."

While it's too late to do anything this year, parade officials are already considering options for the future.

Davila - "So we'll be looking at it a little different next year."

This year's Amherst Parade is expected to end around 7:45. The football team should be back to town between 8:00 and 9:00.

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