By JEFF LAMPE
Weekly Post Staff Writer
While changes in sports schedules caused by COVID-19 led to a boost in turnout for some sports last fall, many football coaches have seen just the opposite heading into Friday’s start to this unique spring season.
Many teams report numbers are down from their usual levels in the fall. Particularly hard hit is Farmington, where Coach Toby Vallas said COVID “ravaged” his team’s turnout.
“We lost a lot of kids to ineligibility and COVID – more from the economic part than the medical part. We have some kids that have had to work for their families,” Vallas said. “And almost everybody I’ve talked to says they lost two or three starters.”
With football season in doubt after it was cancelled last fall due to COVID, eligibility issues have also been more of a problem. Without the carrot of sports placed ahead of them, some high schoolers stopped pulling the load in the classroom.
Nevertheless, the season will open Friday across the area and will present some unique challenges for coaches, players and even spectators.
With less practices, experience will be at a premium, Princeville Coach Jon Carruthers said.
“This year, if you’ve got a lot of returning starters – and especially a starting quarterback – you’re ahead of the game,” Carruthers said.
For those who do plan to attend games, be aware that every school has a different attendance policy. Elmwood is allowing 250 spectators who must have passes from players, cheerleaders or band members. No visiting fans will be allowed.
Mid-County and other Lincoln Trail Conference teams are allowing 100 visiting fans per game. The rest of the crowd depends on how each school calculates 20 percent of capacity. Minutes from the latest ROWVA School Board meeting state the school plans to distribute tickets to participants’ parents, to students and then to the general public.
For many fans, remote live streaming games (check school websites) is the best option.
