Though there are four months before the scheduled start date of the 2020 high school football season, the question is on many minds already.
Will there even be a season this year in wake of the coronavirus pandemic?
Gov. Kay Ivey was asked that specific question on Tuesday as she announced the first steps in reopening the state.
"We are hopeful, but I can’t speak to specifics on that issue yet,” she said when asked about the potential for high school football this fall on Tuesday.
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Ivey’s new order – termed “Safer at Home” – will last from May 1 through May 15 and is the first phase in what the Governor hopes will be a successful multi-phased re-opening of the state.
However, for now at least, all athletic facilities remain closed, pending the next order.
“The Alabama High School Athletic Association and its Central Board support the Governor, Dr. (Scott) Harris and all the decision makers,” AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese told AL.com Tuesday afternoon. “None of us have a crystal ball for the future, but we are confident that – once data allows those individuals to make recommendations where we can return – we look forward to doing just that.”
The high school spring sports season came to an end in March, two months earlier than scheduled. No decisions have been made about when or if sports teams can return to working out with coaches and/or at the schools at this point.
The first playable date for the 2020 high school football season, if it were not pushed back or changed in anyway, would be Aug. 20.
“I am feeling more optimistic now than I was a month ago,” Spanish Fort coach Ben Blackmon said. “It seems like the way the reports are coming back and with people doing what they are supposed to do, there is a reason for optimism. Only time will tell, though, as we see what happens as the state starts to gradually reopen.”
Oxford coach Keith Etheredge said he “definitely” thinks there will be high school football this fall and, hopefully, on a normal schedule.
“From what I’ve heard, they may try to get small groups maybe in the weight rooms by mid-to-late June and then maybe do some more stuff in July,” Etheredge said “I don’t think there will be summer competitions, 7-on-7 or anything like that, but hopefully things will be back normal by mid-to-late July.”
Etheredge said he knows state leaders understand the importance of extra-curricular activities for high school student-athletes.
“I am hoping and praying there will be some things happen and we will get back to some normalcy,” he said. “I can’t see it staying like this for a real long period of time. I know they are protecting people, but it’s tough on these kids because they don’t understand it.”
Handley coach Larry Strain said he too is optimistic about the summer but knows anything can happen at this point.
“I feel like that the plan will be to gradually start getting folks back during June,” he said. “My question is what will happen if we have a spike in cases again. I do know this. They won’t allow us to go back until they allow kids on campus, and that will be dependent on the state superintendent. But I think the most optimistic take is maybe we could have small groups -- maybe 10 guys -- together on or by June 8. If that goes OK, maybe it can increase in July. I still don’t think anyone really knows.”
Auburn High coach Adam Winegarden said high school sports is too important to not be included in the 2020-2021 school year.
“I’m not concerned,” he said. “We have intelligent people working really hard on this, and I think everyone is doing their part to comply with the guidelines. I don’t see any reason we are not going to have it. We need football. It’s always going to be a rallying cry for communities. I’m excited about it. For me, it’s always been just waiting for the go ahead. I know it seems like we’ve been in this thing forever, but it’s not May yet. I’ve never thought twice about not having football honestly.”
The question to Ivey in the press conference clearly speaks to the importance of high school sports in Alabama and across the nation.
“I think high school football and sports in general are so community based,” Blackmon said. “Communities draw pride out of their sports teams. It is a gathering spot and a social atmosphere. I really do think it’s important for our communities as a whole to get back to a sense of normalcy so we can draw from that sense of pride.”
Also related to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s April 28 order:
Alabama houses of worship must remain closed, Gov. Ivey and pastor say
Alabama beaches reopening Thursday; limited to gatherings of fewer than 10 people
Gov. Ivey reopening retail stores, beaches; restaurants still curbside only, hair salons closed
Dine-in still prohibited in Alabama, but some restaurants eager to reopen
Elective medical, surgical, dental procedures can restart, state health officials say
This post will be updated
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Will there be a high school football season in 2020? ‘We are hopeful’ - AL.com
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