New Fall Sports Season, But Far From Normal

By: Tim Lambert

“New normal,” “social distancing,” “we’re all in this together,” “contact tracing” — we’re all sick of the new buzzwords. Some schools have had to delay or make adjustments to their fall seasons because of virus concerns; but at least sports is getting the chance to start, and I suppose that’s a win in itself.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association released their plan providing guidelines for all fall sports. Football teams could officially begin fall practice on July 27, using the first week for acclimation and tryouts. With plans to begin fall sports on time, the AHSAA’s Return to Play “Best Practices” was approved by the Central Board. Executive director Steve Savarese says the purpose of the document is to offer member schools the best practices in order to start the fall seasons as scheduled and as safely as possible. According to the document, “Players, coaches, officials, and spectators may not congregate within 6 feet of a person from another household except to the extent necessary, and only to the extent necessary for players, coaches, and officials to directly participate in the athletic activity.” Spectators must wear a mask or other facial covering that covers the nostrils and mouth at all times while within six feet of persons from another household. Limited exceptions are allowed, such as for children who have not yet entered second grade and for people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a facial covering. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris noted that the AHSAA said that Best Practices guidance “was created to mitigate–not eliminate–the risk of COVID-19.” The memo says schools are “strongly encouraged to establish and follow policies for limiting event attendance in order to comply” with the current public health order, and to require fans to wear facial coverings while entering and exiting the gates, while in the stands, and elsewhere. Dr. Harris stressed that the current public health order applies to schools and school-related events. In addition, all persons with symptoms and/or with known exposure to a COVID-19 positive case must quarantine for at least 14 days. Those who are awaiting test results should also remain at home until they receive results and guidance from their physician, healthcare provider, or the health department. Having a negative test does not eliminate the requirement for home quarantine when in close contact to a positive case or remaining symptomatic without another diagnosis. The Back-to-School Toolkit provides additional information and is available with other school resources at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/schools.html.

Athens High School delayed the start of their football season after two players tested positive for COVID-19. The Golden Eagles also suspended their practices until August 20. Their opening game scheduled for August 21 at Fort Payne has been cancelled and their game with James Clemens has moved to August 29. East Limestone’s season-opener against Guntersville was also cancelled.

Preseason football rankings were released; James Clemens was at the seventh spot in Class 7A. Preseason volleyball polls have Athens High at number ten in Class 6A, Lauderdale County was ninth in 3A, ABS was at the eighth position in their new 2A classification, and Lindsay Lane was ranked second in 1A.

Listen for Limestone County area football again this season live online at www.pasnetwork.net and replayed Sunday afternoons at 12:15 on WKAC.
By: Tim Lambert
Tune in for the PlayAction Sports Update, three times each weekday on 1080 AM WKAC. Visit us online at www.pasnetwork.net! email: playactionsports@hotmail.com