By Tim Peterson
Governor Gavin Newsom’s update on the return of outdoor High School Sports Friday left Southern California football fans feeling hopeful.
According to the updated guidance, outdoor high-contact sports will be permitted in counties that are in the purple and red tiers if the counties have a case rate at or below 14 per 100,000. The guidance would go into effect on February 26.
There will be weekly testing requirements for players and coaches for high-contact sports, but not for moderate-contact sports. The high-contact sports include football, rugby and water polo. The moderate-contact sports include baseball, cheerleading and softball.
According to Newsom, 19 counties are currently eligible to resume high-contact outdoor sports. It’s possible several more could be eligible when the latest county metrics are released on Monday. Newsom also said the state will pay for the cost associated with regular testing of high school athletes.
However some counties including Los Angeles aren’t within the case guidelines yet. LA County has a case rate of 17.6 per 100,000 and Orange County is at 16 per 100,000. San Diego is at 15.5
If the counties do fall within the guidelines football practice (with pads) could start on February 26 with first games scheduled for Thursday March 11. A six game schedule would mean the last game would be the weekend of April 15-17.
Stay tuned…
Yep Tank I agree. we still have various shades of colors that can rise or fall and start or stop anything.
Little League is trying to start up in LACO. But there are so many restrictions and variables it is crazy. Teams can practice but you need to be 6 foot distanced, And certainly no games. Parents are not allowed near the fields, and coaches are supposed to monitor all runny noses and secure info whether a quarantine is in place or should be put in place, depending on second hand info. It is so difficult to administer, that it should just be business as usual or if actually so dangerous as to just shut it down until we can play with no restrictions.
@ NWO: Verifying grades for student-athletes should be one of the easier parts. That can be done online by athletic directors and other authorized school staff members who have the appropriate passwords.
Overcoming Covid-19 itself is obviously the toughest part. That’s been our uphill battle since last March. The infection rates have started to decline again in L.A. County, but they will have to keep coming down and then stay down. The next few weeks will be critical.
Are teams working out at all right now in any capacity? Who will check their academic eligibility? Also, how many parents would be comfortable sending their kids out ? I hope things work out, but it still feels like an uphill battle.
So basically it’s spring training in pads. I think recalled Gov Hairgel is trying to hang on to his job.