District 6 Will Have Fall Football, Spirit Season
Greeley-Evans School District 6 will join most other school districts around the state in planning football this fall.
During a meeting Wednesday night, the Colorado High School Athletics Association Board of Directors voted to approve variances from the Governor's COVID Response Team, which will provide member schools with the option to play field hockey, football and sideline spirit during the fall season.
Games will begin the second week in October for Greeley West, Greeley Central, Northridge and University Schools high schools, all of which play in different leagues. As of Friday afternoon, most high schools in the Northern League 1 (Greeley West), Northern League 2 (Greeley Central), North Central League 3 (Northridge) and Patriot West (University) had committed to playing a fall season.
Each school will play a minimum of six games, with the possibility of adding a seventh game for schools that do not make it to the playoffs. Games schedules have not yet been finalized. Only one attendee will be allowed per player, but District 6 is looking at various options to livestream the games.
Bob Billings, District 6 Athletic Director, stressed that participation will be voluntary and every athlete and their family will need to decide whether or not to play.
"There is absolutely no pressure to play," Billings said. "We respect that some students may not want to play and that is fine. At the end of the day, this is a game. We are happy to engage our athletes in competition, and believe that we can do that in a safe and healthy way."
Billings said athletes and their families will be asked to participate in a meeting early next week to discuss the Fall football season, the safety protocols that will be in place and other important information. Schools will be contacting athletes and their families with times and log-in information for these virtual meetings.