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Southern Alamance quarterback David Hines, right, carries the ball as Dom Perez, middle, gets in front to block and Eastern Alamance's Evan Powell comes into the play.
Southern Alamance quarterback David Hines, right, carries the ball as Dom Perez, middle, gets in front to block and Eastern Alamance's Evan Powell comes into the play.
Times-News
Times-News
High school fall sports teams have hit another roadblock in the continuing challenge of beginning their respective seasons amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association said Thursday the seasons have once again been delayed, this time beyond Sept. 1, after Gov. Roy Cooper extended Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan on Wednesday.
“Each time we thought we were almost at the brink of getting to start working, we get that pushed back,” Williams High School football coach Jim McGill said Thursday. “The first couple times, the kids’ attitude was great, they were fired up. You start worrying, are they going to go, ‘Here it goes again.’ Kids need a definitive answer. It’s not the state’s fault. We’re trying to learn (how to deal with this) the best we can, as well.”
On July 15, the state association announced the start of fall sports would be delayed until at least Sept. 1.
“At his press conference on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, Gov. Roy Cooper and his health team extended Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan until at least September 11,” NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said in a statement Thursday. “Unfortunately, this announcement means that the start of sports for the 2020-2021 school year will be delayed beyond September 1 for NCHSAA member schools.”
Tucker said the NCHSAA hopes to announce a 2020-21 school year sports calendar before Aug. 17.
"Experts believe our mandatory mask order stabilized our numbers,” Cooper said in Wednesday’s briefing. “Just last week, we added a curfew on alcohol sales to keep restaurants from turning into bars, which are high transmission areas. Our success at returning thousands of students, teachers and staff safely to the classroom this month depends on us doing what works.”
Cooper’s five-week extension of Phase 2 means bars, gyms and entertainment venues will keep their doors closed until at least Sept. 11. It also restricts the size of gatherings at places of business.
“We want to play sports during this upcoming school year and are making plans to do so,” she said. “However, the health and safety of all participants, including coaches and other essential staff, will be a priority as decisions and plans are made.”
Fall sports seasons for NCHSAA member schools were originally scheduled to begin Aug. 1, with games and competitions set for as early as Aug. 17.
“In life you control the things you can control and you try to eliminate any distractions,” Southern Alamance football coach Fritz Hessenthaler said Thursday. “Right now, the only thing I’m telling my kids they can control is be ready, stay in shape, work out on your own, and when the time comes, you’ll be ready. That’s what we’re trying to do at Southern Alamance, just essentially control the control-ables.”
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