The score is COVID-19 1, High School Sports 0, but the game isn’t over yet.
High school football will not be played until February, according to a decision handed down by the NC High School Athletic Association on Wednesday. Commissioner Que Tucker made the announcement via video after a special called meeting by the NCHSSA board.
“You all have been waiting patiently for a decision from the NCHSAA relative to an amended sports calendar for the 2020-2021 academic year,” Tucker said. “Please keep in mind that these proposed dates are dependent on COVID-19 conditions improving across North Carolina.
“However, last night the Board of Directors approved a framework we believe maximizes the opportunities for students in our membership to participate in athletics at some point during this school year, regardless of what plan is a school and/or school system operates.
Under the new COVID-19 calendar, tryouts may not begin before Nov. 4. Football will hold its first official practice Feb. 8, and first gameson Feb. 26. The regular season will end April 26. Seven games will be played in total, with only one contest per week.
Basketball will begin practice Dec. 4, and start games Jan. 4, with the regular season ending Feb. 19. Two games per week will be allowed during the 14-game season.
Baseball practice will begin April 12, with the season running April 26-June 11. The season will last 14 games, with a limit of two per week. Women’s tennis, track and field, and wrestling will follow the same schedule.
Soccer will begin Jan. 11, with the first game Jan. 25, and the season ending March 12. Two games will be allowed per week for the 14-week season.
Golf, Men’s tennis, women’s soccer, and softball will begin practice March 1, with March 15 as the starting date. The season will end April 30 for each of those sports.
