There have been many conflicting reports about how long the coronavirus will last and we will need to be social distancing.
I have heard many times it could go all the way until August, if not longer. That raises some very interesting questions for 2020 high school football.
The season is set to begin Friday, Aug. 21, but even if everything is back to normal, will everything be able to start on time? At this point, I do not have the answer, but I would like to raise some questions for everyone to think about when making those types of decisions.
If everything is ready to go a week or two before the season opener, what type of condition will our athletes be in? How familiar will everyone be with the playbook without having time to execute it in practice?
Remember, high school is not the NFL, college or even junior college. You are dealing with kids who, in many cases, are still growing. They are not as mentally and physically tough as athletes at a higher level. They do not have the same access to body building equipment.
Many NFL players make enough money to the point where they are able to have a personal gym in their own home. They lift weights without worrying about social distancing.
Here in Coahoma County, Miss., high school football players are unable to use the weight rooms and the local fitness centers have been closed. That means they are forced to exercise on their own without the proper equipment.
The combination of all those things could mean a greater risk of injury for high school football players.
I am not advocating for a cancellation of the season or even delaying the start of things. I am asking everyone involved — coaches, athletic directors, the Mississippi High School Activities Association, Mississippi Association of Independent Schools and anyone else — to think about these things. I am asking them to do whatever is necessary to make sure athletes are not put at a greater risk, whenever the season starts.
Let’s look at our local teams and where they stand.
Coahoma County High School would likely suffer the most from not getting together. The Red Panthers are currently without a coach as Mario Lane resigned after two seasons.
Even if a new coach is hired immediately, that person will not have the opportunity to work the players until possibly right before the season.
Lane said on repeated occasions last season how a high portion of his team had never played football before. Now, these inexperienced players could be forced to take the field without any summer program and a new coach.
That is something very difficult to overcome.
Clarksdale High School coach Henry Johnson, Lee Academy coach Rick Johnston and Coahoma Early College High School coach Jeremiah Brassell all talked about the many returning players they will have. They are all fortunate and that will certainly lessen the risk, but every team always has a hole to fill.
The Wildcats had five athletes commit to playing junior college football. It is not easy to replace someone like Queston Skipper, who signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He was by far the team’s most all-around player as a running back, backup quarterback and kick and punt returner.
Senior quarterback Tamera Allen does not have a full season under his belt as the starter. He missed the first half of 2019 with an injury. I have no doubt Allen will do a good job, but it helps to have a full offseason where he and the offense develop chemistry.
Lee Academy is losing senior quarterback Brett Wilson, who also did a little bit of everything. Luke Crumpton is expected to be the Colts starter next year, but much like Allen and the Wildcats, he has not had a full season under center.
The junior high Colts won their district championship last season. While that shows their potential, adjusting to the high school level is not an easy task. That is what the offseason is for.
CECHS probably lost the athlete with skills in the most areas. Senior Chris Russell was a running back, quarterback, played in the secondary and on special teams. There weren’t many positions Russell, who signed with Itawamba Community College, can’t play. It will take multiple athletes to replace him.
It is only April and the season is scheduled to begin in August. That means, if things start as planned, our coaches have time to make sure athletes prepared to deal with these obstacles.
I have no doubt Johnson, Johnston and Brassell will do everything in their power to have their rosters from top to bottom ready. Whatever happens, I wish all of our schools success in 2020!
