IF THERE IS A POSITIVE FROM COVID-19, it’s that Texas high school football fans will be able to carry over their passion into 2021.
The University Interscholastic League’s announcement for a modified fall sports schedule led to a split decision, with Classes 1A to 4A beginning their 2020-21 fall sports slate with volleyball and football practice beginning on August 3, with volleyball beginning its regular season on August 10 and football kicking off on August 27. That means that Hitchcock (Class 3A) and La Marque (4A) will start without a hitch.
As for schools in Classes 5A and 6A, (Clear Brook, Clear Creek, Clear Falls, Clear Springs, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galveston Ball, Santa Fe and Texas City) they will have to wait until September 7 to begin their first days of fall practice. Volleyball tips off on September 14, while the road to a state championship in football will begin on September 24.
The decision to go forward with fall sports flies in the face of rising COVID-19 numbers in Galveston County, as there were 7,794 positive cases in the area as of Thursday night. The county is seeing positive tests at 8% with the total of deaths at 68.
Plans are for high school football teams to play a 10-game schedule leading into the playoffs, which conclude for 1A-4A teams at AT&T Stadium on December 16-19. Teams in 5A and 6A will play their state title games sometime in January at a site to be named.
Volleyball title matches for 1A-4A will be held November 18-21, with 5A-6A title matches being played on December 11-12.
To no surprise, face coverings will be mandatory for fans, who will be held to just 50% capacity, provided social distancing is maintained. Among the other rules will limiting seating in consecutive rows and blocking off seating to maintain six feet of distance. Postgame interviews will be conducted with face coverings and social distancing in play.
For a more in-depth look at the UIL’s Risk Mitigation guidelines, visit https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19/2020-2021-uil-covid-19-risk-mitigation-guidelines.
